Opal Tanaka (Earth-616)

Opal Tanaka
Name	Opal Tanaka
Affiliation and Relationships
Relatives	Grandparents: Tatsu'o (grandfather) Parents: Shizu'ko (mother); George and Rita Tanaka (adopted parents) Children: Robert Tanaka (son)
Marital Status	Single
Physical Characteristics
Gender	Female
Eyes	Irises: Blue
Hair	Black
Origin and Living Status
Origin	Human
Living Status	Alive
Reality	Earth-616
Place of Birth	Japan
Personal Information
Identity	No Dual
Citizenship	Japanese
Occupation	Florist
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Louise Simonson, Terry Shoemaker
First	X-Factor #51 (December, 1989)
First	X-Factor #51 (December, 1989)

History

Opal Tanaka lived in New York City and when X-Factor's ship took up residence in the city it blocked the sunlight that would strike her apartment causing her plants to wilt. She encountered Iceman who had come into the music store where she worked and expressed her views to him. Bobby, smitten with the woman, asked her out. Intrigued by Bobby she accepted.

After a few dates she became his girlfriend and the two seemed very much in love. Opal was abducted by Cyber Samurai one day who sought to return her to Japan. There she learned that her Grandfather, Lord Tatsu'o, sought for her to marry one of his Cyburai so that his criminal empire would have an heir.

Opal Tanaka & Iceman (Bobby Drake)

Iceman and Jean Grey followed Opal to Japan where they met up with Mariko Yoshida and attempted to rescue Bobby's girlfriend. Unfortunately Bobby was overeager and his impromptu rescue attempt failed. Bobby and Jean would then seek to confront the crime lord and his henchmen head on. Iceman challenged Hiro, Tatsu'o's lead Cyburai, to one-on-one combat, with no powers. Bobby was no match for Hiro as Hiro was more machine than man. When Opal pointed this out, Hiro did the honorable thing and ceased to fight, allowing Bobby to win.

Some time later, Hiro interrupted a dinner where Bobby was introducing his parents to Opal. The Cyburai had been sent by Lord Tatsu'o to kill the Drakes. Iceman, per Hiro's orders, removed Opal from the fight and as soon as the restaurant was clear, activated his self-destruct, killing himself and his fellow Cyburai.

This event strained the relationship between Opal and Bobby, as Opal had cared for Hiro. When the Phalanx began targeting associates of the X-Men, Bobby came to her rescue. Opal however was not very pleased that Bobby just charged over with his teammates instead of calling her to give her a heads up.

This event ended their relationship and Bobby would have no contact with Opal again until he received a mysterious email with a picture of a baby that looked very much like him named Robert Tanaka. Bobby arrived in Hong Kong and was forced to cooperate with the Winterbrand Corp who were holding baby Robert hostage. Iceman managed to help save the baby, but as he planed to leave the X-Men and move to Hong Kong, he found a video from Opal stating that he is not Robert's father. She dated a man that looked very much like Robert while she was in Europe. She left thinking that he'd never want anything to do with her again, but Bobby knew the baby wasn't his and was prepared to be with the two of them anyways.

See Also

• 24 appearance(s) of Opal Tanaka (Earth-616)
• 3 minor appearance(s) of Opal Tanaka (Earth-616)
• 5 mention(s) of Opal Tanaka (Earth-616)
• 8 image(s) of Opal Tanaka (Earth-616)
• 1 quotation(s) by or about Opal Tanaka (Earth-616)