SPIDER RIDERS

The Spider Raiders cartoon is based on children's novels, created by American writers Tedd and Patsy Cameron Anasti, published in 2004 by the Newmarket Press and illustrated by Stephen Sullivan. Given the success, anime series, manga and video games were made. The animated series (original title Supaidaraidazu - Orakuru no Yusha-tachi) is the result of a collaboration between the Canadian Canada's Cookie Jar Entertainment and the Japanese Bee Train for a number of 52 episodes of 22 minutes each and starting from 6 October 2008, will be broadcast on Italia 1 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 17,10 pm. The manga comic was first published in Japan in 2006, featuring artwork by Junji Ohno.
The protagonist of the series is Hunter Steele, a 13-year-old boy who follows the instructions contained in an ancient diary, written by his grandfather, which lead to the kingdom of Arachna, an underground kingdom where a battle between men and giant insects is taking place. . In the underworld is a fantasy world, where brave warriors called Spider Riders are found who ride giant insects and fight against the forces of evil.

Hunter Steel on the basis of the indications of the diary, goes near an ancient ziqqurat and throws himself into the depths of the earth in search of the unknown kingdom, which his grandfather told him before he died. Arriving at the first underground entrance, Hunter Steel searches for a door indicated by the diary, with no result. Only when he utters the phrase "Arachna Power" do the doors open to the fantastic realm. Among various junk, the boy finds a bracelet in the shape of a spider, which slips into his arm and magically transports him to the kingdom of Arachna. Along the way he meets a beautiful sleeping woman and Hunter grabs her hand in an attempt to wake her up. In that same instant, the seer of the kingdom of Arachna realizes that a human being has entered their kingdom and communicates it to the little princess. Hunter awakens in the inner world, where a gigantic sun shines (it should be the NIFE, the core of the earth made up of nickel and iron), in the middle of a strange forest. Here he is attacked by an insect-like monster called Invectid, but is saved by Corona, a girl archer with wings. Hunter runs away in terror, but Corona tries to stop him because, looking at his bracelet (Arachna Power), he realized that the boy is a Spider Raiders. The surprises for Hunter Steel are not over, when he comes across a giant spider chasing him, trying to harness him in his web. When Hunter has no more escape, on the edge of a cliff, he utters his grandfather's recurring phrase: Arachna Power. At that moment his bracelet lights up and a green beam of light comes out. From this his pursuer, he understands that it is a powerful Spider Raiders and that he has been chosen by his own bracelet, to fight the forces of evil. The giant spider is also a Spider, but it still has the task of eliminating Hunter Steel, as it belongs to the outside world. At that moment the two are attacked by a group of Invectids in the service of Lord Mantis.

The fight begins and the Spider, proves adept at harnessing his enemies, but the leader of the Invectors possesses other resources and sets off to ride a giant spider, which puts the combat Spider in serious trouble. When the Invectors have already taken the upper hand, Hunter Steel, thanks to his magic bracelet, transforms into a Spider Riders warrior, equipped with splendid armor and a spear, with which he defeats the opposing monster. The Invectid army has therefore lost its battle and Lord Mantis understands that he will have to deal with a powerful warrior, for the conquest of the kingdom of Arachna. The boy and the spider named Shedo are joined by Corona, who congratulates him on defeating the monster and proving his value as Spider Riders. At the words of "Spider Out", the boy can again transform himself into Hunter Steel, with his usual clothing. Corona invites Hunter Steel to train in Arachna's castle, to learn the fighting techniques of the Spider Riders warriors. During the journey Shedo and Hunter Steel reveal all their incompatibility of character, offending each other, without understanding that they have been chosen by the oracle, the one who created the kingdom of Arachna. Meanwhile, the Invectid return to attack a village, with their armies. Their general makes fun of the population and promises to leave the village, provided someone defeats the Invectid champion. At that moment Hunter Steel arrives and applies to face the monster in place of a boy who had been chosen. Unexpectedly Hunter fails to transform into a Sapider Riders and the terrible Invectid has an easy game on him. Corona invites him to take into account the first rule of a Spider Riders: that of never giving up, while Shedo reminds him to call the power of the oracle with the cry of "Arachna Power!". Thus Hunter transforms himself again into the Spider Riders warrior, equipped with armor and with a well-aimed blow he manages to defeat the Invectid champion, with great happiness from the local population. General Gressob does not keep his words and decides anyway to destroy the village. But Corona turns into a Spider Riders, together with his Spider Venus and with his infallible aim, he hits the invector with one of his arrows.
Finally they arrive in Arachna's castle and at the words of "Spider In", the giant Shedo is catapulted, inside the Hunter Steel bracelet, into the so-called "bracelet space". So does Corona with his Spider Venus.

As they arrive at the village, Hunter Steel confirms his greed by pausing in one of the market stalls and craving some tasty fruit, but Shedo despite being in the bracelet, continues to scold him. At the entrance to the castle, Corona is greeted with great respect by the king's guards, while Hunter Steel is attracted by a young girl who looks out the window. Corona shows the training gym and Hunter brings Shedo out of his bracelet at the words of "Spider out!". Among them comes Prince Lumes, who is admired and honored by the presence of Shedo, the strongest fighting spider in Arachna, who distinguished himself in the war against the Invectids. Prince Lumen is the governor of Arachna, the leader of the Spider Riders who welcomes Hunter Steel and despite his authority proves very humble and sociable. Later comes Igno, a warrior with a strange hair, the strongest Spider Riders around, who doesn't look kindly on Hunter Steel as he is a Terran. The two provoke each other and a duel ensues, which Prince Lumen willingly approves, to see how Hunter and Shedo will fare. In two days Hunter Steel and Igno will face off in the arena. So the boy and the spider Shedo are committed to the challenge, but out of pride they always train alone, believing that they do not need each other. During a break, Huntet Steel meets little princess Sparco, the girl from the window, who reveals another secret of the Spider Riders to him, that is to always tell the truth, especially to his own fighting Spider. The day of the fight arrives and the two warriors transform into Spider Riders, shouting "Arachna Power!", Igno's spider is called Flame. The first fight is between Hunter and Igno, but the boy has the worst. Later it's up to Shedo who fights with Flame, but he too is knocked down. Their mistake is to face their opponents separately, to win they must learn to join forces. Despite being repeatedly defeated, the two never give up and show Lumen all their obstinacy. Eventually Hunter, remembering Sparco's words, realizes that we have to fight together and convinces Shedo, putting aside his pride. So Hunter jumps on Shedo's back and they jump into action showing all their strength. At the very moment, Prince Lumen interrupts the challenge, revealing that the purpose of the duel was to see all the power and warrior spirit of Hunter and Shedo, united in combat. Igno also compliments his opponents, convincing himself that the two are really brave Spider Riders. Thus Prince Lumien officially introduces Hunter Steel and Shedo to his people: the new Spider Riders, who will contribute in the fight against the invading Invectid.

All Spider Rider names, images and trademarks are copyright © Canada's Cookie Jar Entertainment, Bee Train and are used here for cognitive and informative purposes.