Synopsis
Naoto DATE is a 13-year-old orphan. He and his friends live at an orphanage called House for Little Rascals, along with the owner's daughter, Ruriko WAKATSUKI who is also 13. One day Naoto learns that the orphanage is to be closed because of an outstanding debt. The children take their last excursion to the zoo before they all move to separate lodgings. Naoto and Ruriko stop in front of the tiger cage. While Naoto makes a vow that he'll one day become as strong as a tiger, a stranger observes him. Mysterious Mister X who offers to train Naoto.
Naoto decides to go with Mister X. As they enter the Tiger Pit, Naoto meets boys his age. One of them is friendly Dan and another one is Joe, who is cold and remote. Reina, the unemotional, cryptic and beautiful trainer keeps a watchful eye on the boys as they endure years of hard training until adulthood.
Mister X devised three Tiger Masks, in gold, white and black. The Black Tiger Mask is given to Naoto who is considered to be the best. Naoto can't contain his excitement. The Masks enhance the wearer's physical potential. The downside is that the Masks quickly exhaust the wearer, making it impossible to fight for a long time.
Naoto returns to Tokyo and fights in an illegal underground match where bets take place. He wins his first victory with lightening-quick speed and with jaw-dropping techniques.
Naoto meets his estranged friend, Dan from the Tiger Pit. Together they visit the orphanage, House for Little Rascals. Ruriko and her brother Akira run the orphanage after their father passed away. After years of training Naoto had almost forgotten the Home. His rekindled memories inspire him to help Ruriko and the orphans.
Joe has always resented that he didn't get Naoto's Black Tiger Mask. So when Dan is about to fight, Joe tells Dan's opponent about the mask's weakness. Dan is injured and loses the bout. His wresting career is over. Mister X has no tolerance for loss and he leaves Dan to die. Naoto is deeply saddened by Joe's death and angered by Joe's double-crossing. When Naoto goes to Mister X for an explanation, he learns that Mister X is responsible for Dan's death. Naoto decides to return to House of Little Rascals.
At the impoverished but peaceful orphanage, Naoto gets to know the orphans and begins working there, at the suggestion of Ruriko. The pleasant lives enjoyed by the orphans contrast with Naoto's harsh life at the Tiger Pit. As Naoto settles down in his new life, there's a fire at the orphanage. Ruriko can't figure out how the fire started. Naoto suspects that the man who raised him, Mister X is responsible. Naoto has conflicting emotions about taking on Mister X...but now he must. He grabs the Gold Tiger mask he keeps as a memento of Dan and heads to the Tiger Pit to settle the score.
Naoto fights back to protect the woman he loves, to save the children's future and to pursue his chosen path. Naoto Date is the Tiger Mask!