My reviews of the Tiger Mask W wrestling cartoon have focused so far on the handsome hero — Naoto — as he climbs the ranks of his federation.
But his friend (and future lover?) Takuma has also enjoyed success, wearing a similar tiger mask and calling himself “Tiger the Dark.” Here he dominates a blond jobber in Episode 4.
I love how this cartoon features the most homo-erotic of the classic wrestling holds, including many Sleeper Holds. I also enjoy the really cute jobber meat they feed to our tigers each week, like this cute Kevin guy.
Kevin’s legs strain in his purple leggings as Takuma’s huge arms pour on the pressure.
Handsome Kevin begins to fade as Takuma’s flexing bicep fills our screen, his swole arm nearly as thick as the victim’s head.
Nobody gets up from Tiger the Dark’s finishing move!
Kevin’s skull is then Pile-Driven into the mat by the powerful and vicious Takuma. This is another enjoyable aspect of the cartoon: it does not shy away from the violence and pain of pro wrestling. In fact, it emphasizes the brutality, highlighting the agony, making pro wrestling seem even more dangerous and punishing than reality, which just adds to the viewers’ excitement.
This cartoon also likes to depict a hand rested on a fallen wrestler’s bare chest to express male-on-male affection and caring — see below:
But not everyone is excited about Takuma’s rising dominance. In Episode 5, a group of thugs begin to bully our long-haired hottie, threatening to gang up on him during their upcoming Battle Royal.
Takuma is drawn with a ragged scar on his forehead, which he received from the evil Yellow Devil in Episode 1. That attack also left him brooding and angry. We haven’t seen him smile since Naoto flirted with him during a flashback of their debut match in Episode 3.
Episode 5 also introduces a new Heel, a black-furred baddie named Boss Man.
Boss Man is presented as the traditional version of masculinity — proudly hairy, virile, authoritative, and stoic. The young viewers of this cartoon are persuaded to reject this sort of brute in favor of the more gentle, heroic, loving, modern version of masculinity embodied by our sweet Naoto.
Boss Man demonstrates his power to the rookies.
We know that Takuma is in great danger when Boss Man crushes a steel barrel in his embrace. How will Takuma survive that during the Battle Royal?!
(Click on the image if the barrel crushing animation is not playing automatically.)
The Battle Royal begins as the two shirtless bullies prepare to press their bare flesh against Tiger the Dark. Their bodies are drawn to appear meaty, swole, and sexually appealing.
This is totally unfair to Takuma (I love it!)
Poor Takuma is cheated in several ways: first, Boss Man fixed the drawing, forcing Takuma to enter the Battle Royal first. Next, the other wrestlers gang up on him and kick his ass.
It may be best to just obey the Boss Man’s orders from now on.
Boss Man also set himself up to enter the Battle Royal last, so that Tiger the Dark would be fully exhausted by the time he enters the fray.
Here the Boss Man clobbers Takuma with his thick arm, then the two young dickheads crush him under their weight. He has no chance! What a turn-on!
Oh hell yeah! A crushing Bearhug by the hairy Man-Beast! Remember that barrel he destroyed earlier? Now he’s applying that same grip strength to Takuma’s ribs. GRRR!
Like I said, this cartoon doesn’t shy away from the homo-erotic and sexually suggestive wrestling moves, which is why I enjoy it so much. Check out Tiger the Dark’s orgasm face as the hairy Alpha Male continues to go to town on him.
Just like the commentary during a real life episode of pro wrestling, verbal cues add to our enjoyment. The horny villain quips “I love the sound of the spine cracking” while the commentator speculates that this may be the end for poor Tiger the Dark. Nice one!
With those huge guns, you know Takuma’s Elbow Smash will be effective.
That long Bearhug was a treat, but Takuma refuses to submit. Instead he drives the sharp point of his elbow into the brute’s forehead, opening a bloody gash much like the jagged scar on Takuma’s own face.
This separation enables Tiger the Dark to really fuck up the Boss Man.
Now who is the fuckin Boss in this Federation? Takuma ends his punishment and assumes the dominant Alpha Male role by defeating Boss Man with his unbeatable version of the Pile Driver. Oh by the way, he also beat up the other bullies and tossed them out of the ring earlier. This Dark Tiger appears to be meaner, stronger, and more punishing than his old friend, our hero Naoto. I can’t WAIT until their inevitable homo-erotic Show Down!
