Tiger Mask, whose real name is Naoto Date, began his career as a feared heel wrestler in America, known for his ruthless style in the ring. After returning to Japan, his path changed when a young boy, who lived in the same orphanage where Tiger Mask had grown up, confessed that he wanted to become a villain like Tiger Mask. Concerned that the boy would idolize a villain, Tiger Mask decided to become a heroic wrestler instead. The primary antagonist in the manga and anime is Tiger’s Cave, a secretive organization that trains young talent to become heel wrestlers, demanding that half of their earnings be given to the group. Tiger Mask himself was once a member of Tiger’s Cave.
