Hidden Gem: Free Stream of Forgotten Spider Mecha Anime

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During a particular period, some animated shows for kids slipped under the public’s notice, almost vanishing entirely from memory. It’s hard to believe that anyone watched it because so few people recall doing so today. The show, known as “Spider Riders,” was produced during the Kids WB era when cartoons were attempting to capitalize on the Pokemon phenomenon and earn collectible monster money. Unfortunately, Spider Riders arrived late in the game, well after the Pokemon craze had peaked. It was one of the final shows to air before Kids WB ceased broadcasting and was replaced by CW4Kids and Toonzai, which never regained the same popularity afterwards. The series aired from 2006 to 2007, just a year before Kids WB shut down and rebranded.

The Spider Riders series didn’t have the same level of success as Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Cardcaptors during the golden age of Kids WB. It emerged too late to be considered a timeless animated classic and missed the wave of popularity for monster collecting shows in the U.S. Additionally, the show’s focus on spiders, which many people find frightening, may have contributed to its lack of widespread appeal. However, Spider Riders serves as a nostalgic reminder of an era of animation that is seldom seen today, and all episodes can be watched for free on Tubi.

Spider Riders Was An Early Western Anime Collaboration

In 2025, the anime titled “The Beginning After the End” gained significant attention for its perceived mismanagement of a webcomic penned by a non-Japanese author. Though Japanese studios often transform classic Western literature into anime, “The Beginning After the End” appeared to be venturing into uncharted territory by adapting a more recent work by an American writer. However, it’s important to note that “Spider Riders,” which was based on an American trilogy written by Tedd Anasti, Patsy Cameron-Anasti, and Stephen D. Sullivan, served as a precedent for this type of adaptation, predating “The Beginning After the End” by quite some time.

In this imaginative set of stories, both books and cartoons, we delve into an underground realm known as Arachna. Here, a band of skilled warriors wage battles against their insectoid adversaries, riding atop colossal spiders. The main character, Hunter Steel, hails from the upper world and might be the one to either save or endanger Arachna by fulfilling a prophecy. Notably, this series was a collaboration between the Canadian studio Cookie Jar Entertainment and the Japanese studio Bee Train (renowned for their work on Medabots), making it an uncommon blend of 2000s Western and Japanese production.

Whatever Happened with Spider Riders?

Immediately, the primary obstacle for Spider Riders achieving the same level of success as Pokemon lies in its foundation. Spiders are universally recognized as one of the most feared creatures on Earth. Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is one of the most common phobias, particularly among children. Despite the fact that the massive armored arachnids in Spider Riders are intentionally exaggerated and brightly colored, resembling oversized crustaceans more than spiders, they still possess eight legs and large torsos, reinforcing their spider-like nature. Even though Spider-Man is one of the most popular superheroes globally, the concept of collecting a set of giant tarantulas appears less appealing in comparison.

Although Mattel, known for producing popular brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, obtained the rights to merchandise Spider Riders, I haven’t managed to find any existing toy products related to it. However, despite the absence of merchandise, the show ran for a full two seasons with 52 episodes, which was quite a feat compared to many shows during that time. The series has an endearing quality and offers a fresh take on the traditional monster-hunting theme through its unique spider characters. There’s a certain charm in the animation style of the 2000s that seems to be missing from modern television, with the entire aesthetic of the show giving it a timeless, nostalgic feel. Despite being a show that may have been overlooked by many viewers, Spider Riders deserves more recognition. Perhaps if more people rediscover this series, we might finally see those toys from Mattel hit the market.

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2025-04-17 01:09