In Episode 7 of the Tiger Mask W cartoon series, the hairy Russian Boss Man was given a re-match against Tiger the Dark who had defeated him in a Battle Royal during the previous episode.
The match is joined in progress, with the tiger already trapped in Boss Man’s crushing embrace, reminding us of the dreaded Bearhug used in their prior encounter. The grunts and groans imply that the manly brute is obsessed with hugging on young Takuma.
Calling his move the “Grizzly Attack” likens Boss Man to a Bear.
Wikipedia defines a “bear” as “a larger, hairier man who projects an image of rugged masculinity.” Boss Man with his furry back and love of hugs is meant to evoke this gay stereotype.
I’ve seen evidence that this same “bear” fetish exists in Japanese gay culture. So from a queer perspective, placing Takuma in an extended feud (or love affair) with this uber-masculine icon (including frequent embracing) sends the message that our “dark” tiger now prefers the rugged, beefy type over cute twinks.
This may complicate the renewal of Takuma’s sweet, supportive relationship with the cuter, younger Naoto.
Further evidence of Takuma’s appetite for bear meat occurred in Episode 2 when he and Naoto each recruited a tag team partner. Takuma was paired with a massive, aggressive black daddy with a huge tail protruding down his back, whereas Naoto selected the adorable young Wakamatsu.
But the Boss Man — the ultimate personification of masculinity and ursine ferocity — proves insufficient at dominating Takuma. Our bear hunter applies his devastating Pile Driver and destroys the Boss Man.
Boss Man has been emasculated by Takuma. His female boss, Miss X, informs him later in the locker room that this defeat has prompted his demotion to the obscure Indy federations. So Takuma still hasn’t found what he’s looking for. He is doomed to continue searching for a stronger, dominant boss man who can put him in his place.
