Tiger Mask II
The orphan who inherited the mask of a fallen hero.
Tiger Mask II (タイガーマスク二世, Taigā Masuku Ni-sei) is a character from the Tiger Mask manga and anime series. In the story, a new opponent called "Outer Space Mask" bullies his way into the ring without representing any wrestling federation. Tatsuo Aku, once an orphan child from the "house of the children", was a fan of Naoto, who has died. He would put on his old hero's mask to become the new Tiger Mask.
- Real Name
- Yoshiaki Yatsu
- Affiliation
- New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW)
- Character Archetype
- High-flying masked technician / Underdog hero
- Status
- Retired
- Key Era
- Late 1980s to mid-1990s
- Signature Style
- Aerial offense mixed with strong style resilience
Lore & Background
Tiger Mask II is introduced in the sequel storyline of the original manga and anime. The character is Tatsuo Aku, a former orphan from the "house of the children" who was a fan of the original Tiger Mask, Naoto Date. After Naoto Date's death, Tatsuo Aku takes up the mask to become the new Tiger Mask. The series Tiger Mask II completely ignores the original anime's sequel, Tiger Mask W, which is the exclusive sequel of the anime version and confirms Naoto Date's death like in the manga.
In Their Own Story
The source material does not provide a detailed narrative for Tiger Mask II beyond his origin. Tatsuo Aku, an orphan from the "house of the children", idolized Naoto Date, the original Tiger Mask. Following Naoto's death, Tatsuo Aku puts on the hero's mask to become Tiger Mask II. The series Tiger Mask W, which premiered on TV Asahi in October 2016, is the exclusive sequel of the anime version and completely ignores Tiger Mask II, confirming Naoto Date's death like in the manga.
Reader's Guide
The source material does not provide a detailed guide for Tiger Mask II's career or matches. The character is introduced in the Tiger Mask II storyline as a new opponent called "Outer Space Mask" who bullies his way into the ring without representing any wrestling federation. Tatsuo Aku, once an orphan child from the "house of the children", was a fan of Naoto, who has died. He would put on his old hero's mask to become the new Tiger Mask.
Did You Know?
- Tiger Mask II is the character Tatsuo Aku, an orphan from the "house of the children" who was a fan of the original Tiger Mask, Naoto Date.
- The original Tiger Mask, Naoto Date, has died by the time of Tiger Mask II.
- Tiger Mask II is completely ignored by the later series Tiger Mask W, which is the exclusive sequel of the anime version.
- The character is introduced as a new opponent called "Outer Space Mask" who bullies his way into the ring without representing any wrestling federation.