Naoto Date is the main protagonist of the original Tiger Mask anime and manga series. He grew up as an orphan in a children's home, and was later recruited and trained by a shadowy criminal organization known as the Tiger's Den, where he wrestled under the name Yellow Devil. As a professional wrestler in America, he became a feared heel known for his extreme viciousness and brutal in-ring style. However, after returning to Japan, he encountered a young boy from the same orphanage who idolized him and expressed a desire to grow up to be a villain like Tiger Mask. This realization troubled Naoto, as he did not want the child to aspire to villainy, and it inspired him to abandon his heel persona. He adopted the masked identity of Tiger Mask and transformed into a heroic face wrestler, dedicating himself to justice and the protection of the vulnerable. His primary motivation is to use his wrestling career to support the orphanage where he was raised, donating his earnings there instead of giving half to the Tiger's Den. This defiance makes him a target of the organization, whose leader, known as Boss or Tiger the Great, sends numerous assassins and wrestlers to eliminate him. Throughout the series, Naoto's role is that of a champion fighting against the corrupt Tiger's Den while also inspiring others through his selfless actions. His key relationships include his former ally Kentaro Takaoka, who later becomes the Yellow Devil, and the antagonists he faces, such as Mr. X, Tiger the Great, and King Tiger. Naoto undergoes significant development from a ruthless villain into a compassionate hero who values the well-being of children and fights for justice. His notable abilities include his exceptional professional wrestling skills, a combination of high-flying aerial attacks and martial arts, as well as his iconic tiger-shaped mask that instills fear in opponents. Despite his rough past, his character is defined by a strong sense of responsibility, courage, and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.