Spider-Man: The Animated Series remains one of the most popular Spider-Man shows, renowned for its character development and emotional drama. While the show has plenty of humor and the classic Spider-Man wisecracks, any fan would concede that Spider-Man TAS has many heartbreaking moments.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series features several episodes that delve into the characters' personal dramas and sad hardships. Throughout the series, characters like Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson face emotional strife that forces them to make harsh decisions and mature as people. These well-written and well-executed elements add depth to sorrowful scenes and tug on the viewers' heartstrings.
10 Spider-Man Had A Tragic Origin
Since Spider-Man TAS aired long before Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film, many viewers weren't aware of Spider-Man's iconic origin story. As such, the series' rendition of Spider-Man's emotional beginnings became the version most Spider-Man fans experienced.
Viewers learned that Peter Parker was indirectly responsible for Uncle Ben's death because he'd let a random burglar get away. This experience had a massive impact on Peter and made him realize that, "with great power, there must also come great responsibility." While he learned from his mistake, Peter still carried guilt and pain from losing his Uncle Ben.
9 Taina Was Living On Borrowed Time
Spider-Man TAS loosely adapted "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man," introducing a girl named Maria Taina Elizando who befriended Spider-Man during a melancholic time in his life. After he made a mistake, Peter Parker was going to give up being Spider-Man. However, Spider-Man wound up bonding with Taina, one of his biggest fans.
Taina helped Spider-Man "believe in [himself again]," and out of gratitude, Spider-Man revealed he was Peter Parker. Taina gladly promised that she'd "keep his secret for the rest of her life." Sadly, the episode ended with a reveal that Taina lived at the "Wish Come True Foundation For Terminally Ill Children," informing viewers that the rest of Taina's life wouldn't last very long.
8 The Show Used Creative Imagery To Show The Punisher's Devastating Origin
As the series had to contend with certain guidelines, Spider-Man TAS couldn't directly show Frank Castle's family getting killed. However, the creative team still did an excellent job illustrating the Punisher's origin story with art and cinematography. During a flashback, viewers learned Frank Castle's family got caught in a gang crossfire and died.
The audience heard gunshots and saw a kite falling in a puddle, forming a shape reminiscent of the Punisher's skull symbol. The series clearly detailed the impact the tragedy had on Castle. From that day froward, Castle's family simultaneously became his motivation for deadly vigilantism and his primary connection to empathy.
7 Spider-Man Failed To Save The Woman He Loved
In the episode "Turning Point," the Green Goblin kidnapped Mary Jane Watson, aiming to torment Peter Parker. Spider-Man tried to save her, but unbeknownst to him, Mary Jane Watson fell into a portal and was transported to an unknown dimension.
Mary Jane Watson's apparent death enraged Spider-Man, and the heartbroken hero came close to killing the Green Goblin. At the end of the episode, Peter Parker was left alone, anguishing over the weight of his great responsibility and the pain of losing Mary Jane forever.
6 Man-Spider Still Had Human Emotions
Although Spider-Man turning into Man-Spider proved a frightening notion, the creature still had strong remnants of Peter Parker's conscience and memories. Pulling on this concept, the series intentionally portrayed Man-Spider in a sympathetic light. Man-Spider still attempted to help others by trying to stop Morbius and making sure Flash Thompson was okay.
Man-Spider also felt great anguish over causing his Aunt May to worry about the disappearance of her nephew. In addition, Man-Spider tried reaching out to Mary Jane Watson, who he still had strong feelings for, but he terrified her instead. Man-Spider tried to be a hero, but experienced only pain and rejection.
5 Eddie Brock Sacrificed Himself
Although Venom had been one of the deadliest enemies in the series, Eddie Brock proved even he was capable of humanity and sacrifice. The episodes "Venom Returns" and "Carnage" revealed that Eddie cared about people and had a desire to help the innocent. Eddie also loved Dr. Ashley Kafka, who reciprocated his feelings.
In order "to be human again" and enjoy a relationship with Dr. Ashley Kafka, Eddie Brock deliberately separated himself from the Venom symbiote. Unfortunately, he had to become Venom again to save her from Carnage. In the end, Venom sacrificed himself to save Ashley, getting sucked into another dimension and permanently losing the chance to be with her or to be free from the Venom symbiote.
4 The Green Goblin Twisted His Own Son's Mind
In "The Return of the Green Goblin," the Green Goblin manipulated Harry Osborn into doing his bidding. The Green Goblin infected Harry with the Goblin formula, twisting his own son's mind and shaping him into the new Green Goblin. Harry Osborn was desperate to see his father Norman Osborn again, and believing the Goblin would help him find his father, did whatever the Goblin instructed.
After Harry found out his father was actually the Green Goblin, Harry fully embracing "his destiny as the new Green Goblin." Over the course of Spider-Man TAS, Harry had been a good person and genuinely cared about his friends, making his descent into villainy tragic for both Peter Parker and the viewers.
3 Spider-Man Married A Clone Of Mary Jane
Spider-Man TAS mislead viewers into believing Mary Jane Watson had returned and escaped the mysterious dimension, even having Peter Parker marry her like he did in the comics. Viewers later discovered that the Mary Jane Peter married was a clone created from elements of Hydro Man, and that the real Mary Jane was still missing.
Although the clone wasn't the original, both Spider-Man and viewers had bonded with her because she faced hardships with Peter Parker. The clone loved Peter just as much as the original, and she was just as human. When the clone Mary Jane evaporated into nothing, both Peter and the fans were devastated by her demise.
2 Spider-Carnage Was A Peter Parker Who Gave Into His Despair
Throughout Spider-Man TAS, Peter Parker faced a lot of turmoil and despair. However, he never gave into his pain and emerged a stronger hero. However, a different Peter Parker from an alternate dimension didn't have the original Peter's fortitude and became the supervillain Spider-Carnage.
Spider-Carnage had lost his Aunt May and was distraught over the knowledge that he might be a clone. According to Spider-Carnage, the world "misunderstood him and tormented him," leading him to seek revenge against everyone. Spider-Carnage's deep anguish was heartbreaking and revealed how easily the original Peter Parker could've turned to villainy if he didn't have a strong will.
1 Spider-Man Never Found Mary Jane
Spider-Man TAS's last episode depicted Spider-Man and Madame Web venturing out to find the real Mary Jane Watson. However, viewers never got to see Peter and MJ's reunion come to pass. The series concluded with an open ending that allowed viewers to discern for themselves how Spider-Man would find Mary Jane.
However, a majority of viewers didn't realize the Spider-Man TAS finale was designed to be open-ended. As a result, many fans felt confused and heartbroken that they didn't get to see Spider-Man find Mary Jane. Even to this day, several fans remain frustrated that Spider-Man never got his happy ending.