Tiger Mask W(Japanese: タイガーマスクＷ, Hepburn: Taigā Masuku Daburu) is a Tiger Mask anime series which premiered on October 1, 2016, and will run for 39 episodes. It will have a mix of 2D and 3D CGI animation.
This series could be a sequel to the original Tiger Mask anime, as it completely ignores Tiger Mask II, which confirms Naoto Date's death. In fact, in Tiger Mask W, Naoto Date, the original Tiger Mask, could be still alive somewhere in the world.
Plot
In 2013, 42 years after Naoto Date's departure from Japan to unknown destination (night of September 3, 1971; Showa period's 46th year), the Global Wrestling Monopoly (GWM) challenged the Jipang Pro Wrestling team and single-handedly destroyed them along with their manager Daisuke Fujii who was brutally defeated by GWM's top fighter Yellow Devil. The incident drove two young members, Naoto Azuma, the main protagonist of the series, and his friend Takuma Fuji, son of Daisuke, to seek revenge on the GWM and the two parted ways without. While Naoto trained under Kentaro Takaoka, Naoto Date's former ally, Takuma trained under the Tiger's Den after being recruited by Yellow Devil under the pretense of giving him the chance for revenge.
Three years later, toward 2016 ending, Naoto has taken the identity of Tiger Mask and signing under the NJPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling) while Takuma has taken on the identity of Tiger the Dark under the Tiger's Den with none of them being aware of the other's identity but sharing the same goal. The GWM under the leadership of Mister X and Miss X, sees the new Tiger Mask as a threat that must be eliminated to ensure their control over the Wrestling World and sends their fighters in several schemes to destroy him. Tiger Mask trains with the help of his current trainer and the aid of several pro wrestlers to become a stronger fighter with the ultimate goal to fight and defeat Yellow Devil.
Both he and Takuma have their first chance at the Masked Tournament hosted in Miss X's new Max Dome, their first step on conquering Japan, and hosting none other than Yellow Devil as one of the participants. Tiger Mask with the advice of an indian wrestler Mister Question, and an opponent in the tournament, decides to develop his own signature technique and trains with his co-workers at the NJPW to develop his technique. He eventually fights and defeats Takuma using an unperfected version of the move, and manages to face and defeat Yellow Devil but much to his surprise finds another man to have taken on its identity leaving Naoto's and Takuma's quest inconclusive but with the revelation to Takuma that Tiger Mask is also looking after Yellow Devil. Takuma is eventually demoted to undergo the Tiger's Execution which would make him a living punching bag, but decides to take the Hell in the Hole an illegal wrestling match with several bets carrying a special chance which can restore him as a main fighter but at the risk of losing his life if he fails.
The Hell in the Hole begins with its participants being wrestlers defeated by Tiger Mask, including Odin, Billy the Kidman, Black Python, Death Red Mask, as well as Ricardo, Cox, Phantom, Takuma, and Kevin, Takuma's friend, the fight is a Battle Royale with no rules, wrestlers are given weapons after defeating contestants and alliances are possible too. Takuma and Kevin team up and eventually prevail over Odin, Billy the Kidman and Red Death Mask while the rest were eliminated. Takuma and Kevin are forced to fight a "gatekeeper" to gain their escape, but the wrestler is found to be a powerful robot. Odin regains conscience and aids the duo using a firebreath tool on the robot's face which causes it to malfunction and assault the nearby spectators. The boss of the Tiger Den, The Third faces and easily defeats the robot with a piledriver. Takuma, Kevin and Odin thus succeed in the Hell in the Hole, but Odin quits the GWM.
The GWM then prepares their next big tournament, Wrestle Max War Game, which will pit wrestlers from all around the world for the right to challenge The Third who is the World Heavyweight Champion for the belt and the title and a Million Dollar Prize. The Third will also participate on the event himself. Naoto decides to enter the tournament in order to become champion as it will allow him to select his opponents and as such be able to force the true Yellow Devil out of hiding. Thinking that the battle may not play out one-on-one Naoto decides to request Fukuwara Mask to partner with him to increase his odds at winning.
The day of the War Game begins and the rules are explained, the wrestlers will fight in a pyramid-shaped ring with five stages and a ground level, they are divided in four blocks which are interconnected and when the ring sounds, they will be able to move between blocks. Once a wrestler defeats an opponent, he will be allowed to move to the next stage, where he fights his next opponent, and repeat the process until the first two fighters are standing at the top stage of the ring, at which point the battle is over. Following an interval the two combatants will fight and the winner earns the right to challenge The Third. The Champion, being one of the participants declares that whoever defeats him can take the belt. Surprisingly a man taking the name of Yellow Devil is also a participant, causing Naoto and Takuma to pursue him.
The fights rage and Takuma finds and easily defeats Yellow Devil, unmasking him as an impostor. The Third faces Ryu Wakamatsu (in his Dragon Young persona), Fukuwara Mask and Tetsuya Naito making him the first fighter to get to the top. Tiger Mask and Tiger the Dark face off once more with the fight being even grounded. Tiger Mask uses his Tiger Drive move, but Takuma is able to counter it at the last moment. Before Naoto and Takuma can resume their fight Kevin interferes and ambushes Naoto, allowing Takuma to defeat him, thus Tiger the Dark is able to challenge The Third for the championship. A recess takes place before the fight but Takuma is revealed to be greatly injured as a result of Naoto's knee strike.
Protagonists
Naoto Azuma(東ナオト,Azuma Naoto) / Tiger Mask(タイガーマスク,Taigā Masuku) is the main protagonist of the series. Born in 1995, then 21/22 years old during the series, Naoto formerly trained at the Jipang Pro Wrestling team, until rival team GWM (Global Wrestling Monopoly) destroyed the training gym. Angry, he decides to fight against the Tiger's Den group which is affiliated with GWM. He is the new bearer of the Tiger Mask persona (sharing a name with original Tiger Mask, Naoto Date). He is voiced by Taku Yashiro.
Takuma Fujii(藤井タクマ,Fujii Takuma) / Tiger the Dark(タイガー・ザ・ダーク,Taigā Za Dāku) is the second protagonist of the series. Born in 1995, then also 21/22 years old during the series, Takuma is friends with Naoto. He is also affiliated with Jipang Pro Wrestling, his father worked at the gym and was injured during its destruction. Because of this he also yearns to defeat the Tiger's Den and GWM and begins to train to become a professional wrestler, taking the persona "Tiger the Dark." He plans to join the Tiger's Den to destroy them from the inside. He is basically this anime's version of the Black Tiger who has always been a rival of the Tiger Mask character. He is voiced by Yuichiro Umehara.
Haruna Takaoka(高岡 春奈,Takaoka Haruna) / Spring Tiger(スプリングタイガー,Supuringutaigā) is the female protagonist of the series. Born in 1997, then 19/20 years old during the series, Haruna is the niece of Kentaro Takaoka, the only man who knew that Naoto Date was Tiger Mask in the original Tiger Mask series. She is the only person aside from Kentaro who knows that Naoto Azuma is the new Tiger Mask, and also serves as his agent. She has romantic feelings towards him, but hides it. She is revealed to have a well trained physique and is a competent fighter on her own league, taking the identity "Spring Tiger". Her speciality is to attack her opponent's legs with strikes and holds. She is voiced by Suzuko Mimori.
Kentaro Takaoka(高岡 拳太郎,Takaoka Kentarō) is the male co-protagonist of the series. He is Naoto Date's inseparable friend from the original Tiger Mask series. Takaoka was previously known to portray Yellow Devil. He now runs the motorcycle shop Takaoka Motors but also helps Azuma in his training. Ryōichi Tanaka originally played the role in the original Tiger Mask as well. Kentaro, like his niece, is aware that Azuma is the new Tiger Mask. In episode 34 of the first series, set in 1970, he was only 15 years old, then he was born in 1955, and now is 61/62 years old during the series.
Miss X(ミスX,Musu X) / X Woman(Xウーマン,X Ūman) is the main antagonist of the series. The new manager of the Tiger's Den who works under Mister X. A beautiful yet deadly woman. She has a strong physique and fights under the name X Woman, albeit she does so unmasked. She has no defined technique but is a strong fighter. She is voiced by Yū Kobayashi.
Secondary characters
Daisuke Fujii(藤井大助,Fujii Daisuke) is Takuma's father and the manager of Jipang. He is seriously injured when Jipang is destroyed, and is thus in the hospital. He has suspicions, based on Azuma's comments to him in the first episode, that Azuma may be the new Tiger Mask, but has not made any attempt to confirm it. He is voiced by Takeshi Kusao.
Ruriko Yamashina(山科ルリコ,Yamashina Ruriko) is Daisuke's nurse at the hospital. She has a crush on Naoto, but holds back because of the situation he is in. Currently she is employed as a nurse for the GWM. She is voiced by Chiemi Chiba.
Hikari Kuruma(来間ひかり,Kuruma Hikari) is a reporter for Monthly Pro Wrestling World who is mainly interested in both Tiger Mask and Tiger the Dark as well as their secrecy. She is voiced by Izumi Kitta.
Kazuchika Okada(岡田 和睦,Okada Kazuchika) (28/29 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. Okada joins Naoto in his fight against GWM. He is the strongest fighter of the NJPW. He is voiced by Masakazu Morita.
Hiroshi Tanahashi(棚橋 弘至,Tanahashi Hiroshi) / It's-the-Ace(イッツザエース,Ittsuzaēsu) (39/40 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. A wrestling ace who helps Naoto in training. He is voiced by Kenichi Suzumura.
Yuji Nagata(永田裕志,Nagata Yūji) (48/49 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. Aside of wrestling, he's also involved with the management of NJPW. His speciality is an armlock infamously called "White Eyes Armlock", as Nagata's eyes turn white whenever he performs it, giving him a terrifying appearance. He is voiced by Masaki Terasoma.
Togi Makabe(真壁刀義,Makabe Tōgi) (44 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He has a sweet tooth and hosts a famous blog about sweets, being so obsessed with them that he can lack motivation without sweets. He is voiced by Togi Makabe.
Ryu Wakamatsu(若松龍,Wakamatsu Ryū) / Dragon Young(ドラゴンヤング,Doragon'yangu) is a professional wrestler for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he is a huge fan of Kazuchika Okada and has a crush on Haruna. He is voiced by Daisuke Kishio.
Kaioh Mikasa(三笠海王,Mikasa Kaiō) / Poseidon(ポセイドン,Poseidon) is a professional wrestler. He is voiced by Yasuhiko Kawazu.
Keiji Tanaka(田中 刑事,Tanaka Keiji) / Fukuwara Mask(ふくわらマスク,Fukuwara Masuku) was a Japanese professional wrestler from GWM three years ago. Now is a pro-wrestler for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He dresses with a Hyottoko mask and common clothes, giving him a ridiculous appearance. Fukuwara Mask's focus is in providing laughs and serving as a comic-relief by deliberately acting like a fool in his matches, which the audience enjoys. Contrary to his buffoonery however, he's in fact a fairly competent fighter who can give even Tiger Mask a tough fight if he ever decides to fight seriously. He does at times provide commentary and shows to have extensive knowledge of wrestling techniques and is able to provide accurate information. He is revealed to be acquaintanced with The Third, with each deducing the identity of the other during their fight and seemingly knowing similar techniques as well. He is voiced by Kōzō Shioya.
Mister X(ミスターＸ,Misutā X) is the second main antagonist of the series. The new boss of the Tiger's Den. He holds a grudge against Tiger Mask. Hidekatsu Shibata originally played the role in the original Tiger Mask as well.
Yellow Devil(イエロー・デビル,Ierō Debiru) is a long-time enemy of Naoto and Takuma's, he helped carry out the attack against the Jipang gym. His whereabouts and identity are unknown. He is voiced by Bin Shimada.
Kevin Anderson(ケビン・アンダーソン,Kebin Andāson) / Wagner(ワーグナー,Wāgunā) is a pro-wrestler from GWM and a close friend of Takuma. Although arguably not as skilled as Takuma or Tiger Mask, he remains a competent fighter, being one of the three survivors of the Hell in the Hole. He is voiced by Jun Fukuyama.
Mike Rodriguez(マイク・ロドリゲス,Maiku Rodorigesu) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. He is voiced by Yasuaki Takumi.
Lady(レディ,Redei) is Miss X's secretary. She is voiced by Yukiko Morishita.
Henry Odin(ヘンリー・オーディン,Henrī Ōdein) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. He fell from grace from his first defeat against Tiger Mask and was punished to the Tiger's Execution, becoming a living punching bag for other trainees. He undertakes the lethal Hell in the Hole match, and becomes one of its three survivors. However he is injured in the process and returns to his hometown where his girlfriend awaits him. He is voiced by Eiji Takemoto.
Kimihiko Ozaki(尾崎仁彦,Ozaki Kimihiko) (44 years old) is based on a real-life ring announcer. He is voiced by Kenta Tanaka.
The Third(ザ・サード,Za Sādo) is GWM heavyweight world champion. He's strong enough to easily overpower a malfunctioning Blackout on his own, despite taking the joint-effort of Takuma, Kevin and Odin to even damage him. He is revealed to be acquaintanced with Fukuwara Mask, with each deducing the identity of the other during their fight and seemingly knowing similar techniques as well. His appearance mimics that of Tiger the Great, the original Tiger Mask's ultimate enemy. He is voiced by Bin Shimada.
Other characters
Naoto Date(伊達 直人,Date Naoto) / Tiger Mask(タイガーマスク,Taigā Masuku) was the main protagonist of the first anime series. He could be still alive somewhere in the world.
Black Python(ブラック・パイソン,Burakku Paison) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. He is voiced by Masaya Takatsuka.
Red Death Mask(レッドデスマスク,Reddo Desu Masuku) is a pro-wrestler from GWM, his speciality is his strong grip which is called the "Red Death Claw". He is voiced by Hiroaki Miura.
Bosman(ボスマン,Bosuman) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. He is voiced by Kenji Hamada.
Bull(ブル,Buru) is a pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Junya Enoki.
Dog(ドッグ,Doggu) is a pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Kōta Nemoto.
Bobby Newton(ボビー・ニュートン,Bobī Nyūton) is a pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Kenji Akabane.
Gorilla Jeet Singh(ゴリラージェットシン,Gorirā Jetto Shin) is a pro-wrestler, he's a savage who uses a sword. He is voiced by Isao Egawa.
Tomoaki Honma(本間 朋晃,Honma Tomoaki) (39/40 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Masaya Takatsuka.
Tomohiro Ishii(石井 智宏,Ishii Tomohiro) (40/41 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Kenji Nomura.
Yoshi-Hashi (34/35 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Hiroshi Okamoto.
Nama Ham(生ハム,Nama Hame) (19 years old) & Yaki Udon(焼うどん,Yaki Udon) (18/19 years old) are two idols. They are voiced by Marina Nishii and Risa Azuma.
Daimon(大門,Daimon) is a pro-wrestler.
Tsuyoshi Nishida(西田,Nishida) is a pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Kazumasa Fukagawa.
Dynamite Kagawa is a wrestler who fight in the Battle Royal.
Jumbo Hayama is a wrestler who fight in the Battle Royal.
Asahara Seme is a wrestler who fight in the Battle Royal.
Billy the Kidman(ビリー・ザ・キッドマン,Birī za Kiddoman) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. Under orders from GWM he took on the identity of the Yellow Devil to face Tiger Mask, but was defeated by Tiger Mask's perfected Tiger Drive. His speciality is on his diamond-hard head which can crack walls. He is voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto.
Sho Daimaru(大丸,Daimaru) is a pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Kōta Nemoto.
Rikuna(琉那,Rikuna) is a child who lives with his grandfather in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture. She is voiced by Shino Shimoji.
Mister Question(ミスター・クエスチョン,Misutā Kuesuchon) (56/57 years old) is an Indian professional wrestler. Born in 1960, he was ten years old when, in the summer of 1970, saw his master, the first Mister Question, fight against the first Tiger Mask at New Delhi. He encourages Tiger Mask to be stronger as he also opposes the GWM. His speciality is on his contortions that make him immune to submission techniques. He is voiced by Tomomichi Nishimura.
Tama Tonga(タマ・トンガ,Tama Tonga) (33/34 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Naoki Imamura.
Bad Luck Fale(バッドラック・ファレ,Baddorakku Fare) (34 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Keiji Hirai.
Liger(ライガー,Raigā) (51/52 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler Jushin Thunder Liger. He has no voice actor.
Captain(キャプテン,Kyaputen) (34/35 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler Captain New Japan. He has no voice actor.
Tetsuya Naito(内藤 哲也,Naitō Tetsuya) (34/35 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He tends to mix spanish words with a latino accent in his phrases. His speciality is a technique called "Destino", where he grabs his opponent from behind, performs a 360° jump while holding one of the opponent's arms and using the momentum, slams them into the ring. He is voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi.
Alec Meyer(アレク・マイヤー,Areku Maiyā) is a pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Atsushi Kisaichi.
Queen Elizabeth(クイーン・エリザベス,Kuīn Erizabesu) is a female pro-wrestler from GWM. She bears a resemblance to WWE's wrestler Charlotte Flair. She is voiced by Ai Maeda.
Payne Fox(ペイン・フォックス,Pein Fokkusu) is a female pro-wrestler from GWM. She bears a resemblance to WWE's wrestler Becky Lynch. She is voiced by Ai Nagano.
Kenny Omega(ケニーオメガ,Kenī Omega) (32/33 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Hideyuki Hori, the same for Tatsuo Aku in Tiger Mask II.
Bushi (33/34 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name.
Bigfoot(ビッグフット,Biggufutto) is an American wrestler from GWM. He is incredibly large and his specialty is on his bearhug which can split a tree. He is voiced by Kōhei Fukuhara.
Milk(ミルク,Miruku) & Mint(ミント,Minto) (20 years old) are two Japanese female pro-wrestlers from GWM, both born in 1996. They are voiced by Mayumi Iizuka and Haruna Ikezawa.
The Saboten(ザ・サボテン,Za Saboten) is a Mexican wrestler. He is voiced by Mitsuo Iwata.
Mammy(マミー,Mamī) is The Saboten's mother and Mexican pro wrestling promoter who desires to have Tiger Mask transfer over and join her federation in Mexico. She is voiced by Mami Horikoshi.
Toru Yano(矢野 通,Yano Tōru) (38/39 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Kazumasa Fukagawa.
Ricardo Gonzàlez(リカルド・ゴンザレス,Rikarudo Gonzaresu) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. He is voiced by Keisuke Baba.
Catherine(キャスリン,Kyasurin) is Odin's girlfriend. She is voiced by Ryoko Shiraishi.
Evance(エヴァンス,Evu~ansu) is a millionaire. He is voiced by Ikuya Sawaki.
Cox is a traitor of the Tiger's Den.
Phantom(ファントム,Fantomu) is a pro-wrestler from the Tiger's Den.
Blackout(ブラック・アウト,Burakku auto) is a robot from the Tiger's Den, heighting 2,50 meters tall, he serves as the gatekeeper of the Hell in the Hole match being the last challenge to face. A joint effort between Takuma, Kevin and Odin manages to damage him to the point of malfunctioning and is instantly defeated by The Third. He bares a resemblance to WWE's wrestler The Undertaker. He has no voice actor.
Metal Brothers I & II are a couple of wrestlers. They bare a resemblance to the WWE's legends the Road Warriors.
El Caracas(エル・カラカス,Eru Karakasu) is a pro-wrestler from GWM. He is voiced by Shunsuke Kanie.
Unagi Mask(うなぎマスク,Unagi Masuku) is a Japanese pro-wrestler. He is voiced by Kazumasa Fukagawa.
Evil(イービル,Ībiru) (29/30 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. His speciality is a technique called "The EVIL", where he holds his opponent, kicks their legs from behind and subsequently uses the momentum to slam them into the ring. He is voiced by Fukushi Ochiai.
Viper Takagi(バイパー高城,Baipā Takagi) is a Japanese female pro-wrestler. She is voiced by Reimi.
Miki(みき,Miki) is the owner of Eatery Miki.
Gedo(外道,Gedō) (47/48 years old) is based on the real-life professional wrestler of the same name. He is voiced by Eiji Takemoto.
Characters from Tiger Mask (background)
Mister X (deceased)
Tiger the Great (deceased)
The Lion Man
The Egypt Mummy
The Golden Mask
The Dracula
Mister No
Gorilla Man
Kenta
Chappy
Gaboten
Yoshibo Sasaki
Yoko Takaoka
Mister Question (deceased)
Mister Kamikaze
Star Apollon
Ursus Apollon
Production
The opening theme is "Ike! Tiger Mask" ( 行け!タイガーマスク; Go! Tiger Mask) by Shonan no Kaze and the ending theme is "KING OF THE WILD" also by Shonan no Kaze. The opening theme is a new rendition of the opening in the original Tiger Mask, which was originally performed by Hideyo Morimoto. The show airs on TV Asahi's 26:45 (2:45 AM) time slot on Saturday (technically Sunday morning).
Staff
Director: Toshiaki Komura
Script: Katsuhiko Chiba
Music: Yasuharu Takanashi and -yaiba-
Character Design: Hisashi Kagawa
Art Design: Yoshito Watanabe
Action Animation Director: Junichi Hayama
Episodes
The Two Tigers
Tiger and Lion
The Tiger's Legacy
The Mask of Red Death
The Mystery of Fukuwara Mask
Idol vs. Heel
Naoto and Naoto
Tiger's Den Bares Fangs
The Stormy Opening Match
The Mysterious Mister Question
The Tiger's Killer Move
Tiger vs. Tiger
A False Victory
Crossroads
Fierce Fight — Bigfoot Match
A Capable Promoter
Don't Be a Softy
Spring Tiger is Born
The Escape from Hell
The Gatekeeper of Hell
Reunion
Fukuwara Mask's Ambition
War Games Open
The Fierce Tigers Clash Again
The Tiger's Identity
Impact
In conjunction with the premiere of the show, NJPW debuted a live action version of Tiger Mask W, portrayed by Kota Ibushi, on October 10, 2016, at their King of Pro-Wrestling event. Since then, Red Death Mask (portrayed by Juice Robinson) and Tiger the Dark (portrayed by ACH) have also debuted for NJPW.
Other information
Naoto Date's secret site training near Mount Fuji slopes, and his dream never came true to create a safe playground for children, are original from the manga.
First anime real-life characters still alive in 2017: Antonio Inoki, Seiji Sakaguchi, Mike Brisco, Don DeNucci, Pat Patterson, Bruno Sammartino, Mil Máscaras, Guillotine Gordon, Don Leo Jonathan, Pedro Morales and The Destroyers.
The giant puppet in Naoto Date's secret site training is called Roussimoff, the surname of André the Giant, appeared in Tiger Mask II.
