Tiger Mask II

たいがーますくにせい

Aired: 1981 - 1982

A television anime produced by Toei Doga, a direct sequel to the legendary 1969 wrestling anime 'Tiger Mask,' broadcast on TV Asahi affiliates for 33 episodes. Set several years after the death of the original Tiger Mask (Naoto Date), the series follows a new masked hero, Tiger Mask II, who inherits his predecessor's spirit and stands once more against the villain wrestler training organization 'Tiger Gundan.' Modeling its bouts on the real-world rivalries of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro-Wrestling of the era, the show interweaves ferocious ring action with the warm drama of the 'Chibikko House' orphanage, while exploring the loneliness of a hero compelled to play the role of a hated heel for the children he protects. The series also famously coincided with the masked debut of real-life wrestler Satoru Sayama as the first 'Tiger Mask,' bridging the original and new generations of the franchise.