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“Toei Spider-Man” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

The Toei Spider-Man meme refers to the 1970s Japanese live-action series featuring a latex-suited hero and giant mechas.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Toei Spider-Man meme
The “Toei Spider-Man” meme, 2007

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Toei Spider-Man” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72, number 21418 of the collection, and the 72nd best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Toei Spider-Man” meme mean?

This content expresses humor regarding the assumed absurdity of vintage production values. It highlights the contrast between the iconic Spider-Man image and its tokusatsu version with limited special effects. The dominant emotion is amused nostalgia for kitsch elements: grandiose entrances, overacted sound effects, and stiff costumes. Users share these clips to celebrate the naive charm of a unique adaptation, far from modern realism.

Where does the “Toei Spider-Man” meme come from?

The source of this phenomenon is the TV series *Spider-Man*, produced by Toei and broadcast in Japan between 1978 and 1979. The protagonist, Takuya Yamashiro, possesses a robot named Leopardon and uses the title 'Messenger of Hell'. The nickname 'Spy Darma' stems from the distorted Japanese pronunciation of 'Spider-Man', heard as a comedic rhyme by the local audience. The viral resurgence occurred on Nico Nico Douga in April 2007, coinciding with the release of *Spider-Man 3* in Japan. This period generated a wave of MAD videos, humorous edits diverting original scenes. Precise details about the first uploader or exact title remain unknown. Other platforms like YouTube later hosted this content, but their initial publication dates are undocumented.

  1. 1978Initial broadcast of the tokusatsu series in Japan by Toei.
  2. April 2007Viral rediscovery of the series via humorous edits (MAD) published on the Nico Nico Douga platform.

How to use the “Toei Spider-Man” meme

  • Share a clip from the series during a discussion about failed or atypical cinematic adaptations.
  • Use an image of the hero in a dramatic pose to illustrate an exaggerated entrance in a professional or friendly context.
  • Cite the term 'Spy Darma' to gently mock approximate English pronunciation or a sonic pun.

Also searched as

  • Spy Darma
  • Toei Spider
  • Spider-Man Tokusatsu
  • Takuya Yamashiro
  • toei spider meme
  • spy darma meaning
  • toei spider origin series
  • takuya yamashiro leopardon
  • spider man japan 1978 tokusatsu
  • nico nico douga spider rediscovered

The “Toei Spider-Man” card in MyMemeCards

Toei Spider-Man / Spy Darma card
NumberNo. 21418
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 72
Fame69/100 · #72 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 72: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Toei Spider-Man” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Toei Spider-Man comes out of the Memes World series 72 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Spider-Man called Spy Darma?

This name comes from how Japanese spectators perceived the original title. The ending 'Man' was heard as a comedic rhyme resembling 'Darma', creating a memorable and distinctive nickname for this specific adaptation.

What is Toei Spider-Man's robot?

The hero fights alongside a giant mech called Leopardon. This robot is integral to the spectacular action scenes that characterize today's viral clips from the original seventies series.

Where can I find Toei Spider-Man videos?

These clips are mainly found on YouTube and Nico Nico Douga archives. These platforms host compilations of cult scenes, often accompanied by diverted music or humorous subtitles created by the community.

How do I get the Toei Spider-Man meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Toei Spider-Man” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Toei Spider-Man card?

It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Know Your Meme · 天国と地獄から来た男 | Toei Spider-Man / Spy Darma · Toei Spider-Man / Spy Darma | Know Your Meme · checked on October 13, 2026.

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