White Tiger’s powers in Daredevil: Born Again and how they fit into the MCU

The latest Daredevil: Born Again series introduces a new vigilante to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—White Tiger. This character, played by the late Kamar de los Reyes, is based on Hector Ayala, the first White Tiger in Marvel Comics. The show stays true to the source material by preserving White Tiger’s mystical origins while weaving his story into Matt Murdock’s (Charlie Cox) legal battles.
The show begins with Matt Murdock stepping away from his Daredevil persona after facing a tragic event that forces him to reconsider his dual identity. He chooses to focus entirely on his legal career, determined to uphold justice in the courtroom rather than on the streets. However, his resolve is tested when he encounters Hector Ayala, who becomes embroiled in a legal nightmare.
Hector’s troubles begin when he steps in to protect a man from two attackers at a subway station. During the fight, one of the assailants falls onto the tracks and is struck by an oncoming train. Unfortunately, the situation worsens when it is revealed that the individuals Hector fought were undercover police officers. As a result, Hector is charged with murder, making him a target within a system eager to convict him.
Matt, using his enhanced senses, realizes that Hector is being mistreated in custody and forced to sign a false confession. This discovery prompts him to take on Hector’s case, leading him to uncover the truth—Hector is actually White Tiger, a masked vigilante operating in New York City. However, Hector explains that during the subway incident, he wasn’t wearing his mystical amulet, meaning he had no superhuman abilities at the time.
In the comics, White Tiger’s powers come from a set of three jade tiger amulets, which grant him enhanced physical abilities, including:
As reported by ComicBook.com, Daredevil: Born Again stays faithful to this mystical background, unlike previous Marvel Netflix shows that toned down supernatural elements. The Iron Fist series, for example, minimized the magical aspects of Kun-Lun and chi-based powers.
Since its March 4 debut on Disney+, Daredevil: Born Again has received a mix of positive and critical reviews. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a 77% critic score, while the audience rating is much higher at 94%. Many fans appreciate its dark and gritty storytelling, with one review praising it for not relying on excessive CGI but instead focusing on strong writing and character development.
On the other hand, some critics feel that the show lacks the depth of its Netflix predecessor. Collider’s Therese Lacson argued that Disney+ failed to recapture the essence of the original Daredevil, while CBR’s Nicholas Brooks called the premiere "flawless from beginning to end."
Despite the divided opinions, the introduction of White Tiger signals a broader expansion of the MCU’s street-level heroes, blending gritty crime drama with supernatural elements. With Daredevil: Born Again now streaming, fans will see how the story unfolds in the episodes to come.