Comics try to tie story lines into real life historical events. Sometimes the stories are powerful and meaningful. I remember reading the story of Tsunami and thinking, “Wow! I wonder if I would have that bravery.”

No More Tsunami

“…You can stop calling me Tsunami. If Tsunami cannot gain Justice for her people—Her Family—Let there be no more Tsunami, let there be only Miya Shimada…” - Tsunami*

Japanese-American Miya Shimada grew up with her family in America during WWII. When Americans started showing prejudice and mistreatment of the Japanese during the War she left the United States to study abroad. She found herself in Japan. As a philosophy student, the Eastern Philosophies interested her most, because of her heritage. Using the ideas of connecting to the spiritual through nature and keeping honor as a high esteem she tried to help the Japanese. Working for the Japanese Imperial Government, she gained the name Tsunami, because of her ability to control water, and to live underwater. Miya realized that the best way to honor and help was to help all people. She became a member of the Young All-Stars. Miya Shimada became a spokesperson for the Japanese-Americans as well. Eventually Miya Shimada, with the All-Stars, go looking for her lost family. The All-Stars find Miya’s family at an American Concentration Camp. Realizing the true treatment of the American-Japanese she strips all her clothes off and joins her family in the camp relinquishing her name title and safety.

Sometimes to move forward we need to stop. To get a message across we need to stop talking. Sometimes we need to strip away all masks and clothing. Sometimes sitting stripped of all facades is important to a relationship or situation. It takes courage to show Justice by doing what is right. Sometimes it is better to refuse to participate and walk away from a situation. Here is the difficult part, knowing when the best time to do that. Knowing oneself is the key. Treating the world equally as the self.

Tsunami (Miya Shimada)
First Appearance: The All-Squadron, #33 (May 1984), DC Comics

Creators: Roy Thomas (writer) Rick Hoberg (art)

* “California Here We Come…” The Young All-Stars, #4, September 1987