The Tsunami Tank


Designation: Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer: Tenzai Robotics (unconfirmed)
Country of origin: Japan
Mass-produced at: Imperial Weapons Factory/Imperial Docks

Key Features:

• 8.8 cm Yoritomo AP gun
• Kagami Nano-deflector armour
• Watertight hull and drive train
• Reversible tracks



When the Soviet Army first came up against the armoured divisions of the Empire of the Rising Sun, rumours quickly spread about strange amphibious tanks that were invulnerable to enemy fire. Some even believed that this invulnerability stemmed from the banners bearing the emblem of the Sun mounted on the rear axles, and tales of brave conscripts braving the danger to get close to these banners before being mercilessly cut down were told throughout the Union.

As the war continued to rage, it became clear that the Tsunami Tanks were not protected by supernatural forces, but rather by an innovative new armour system. The highly trained Tsunami crews are experts in the use of this shield technology in both offensive and defensive engagements. By diverting nanomachines from the main cannon, the Tsunami is capable of generating an impact shield that manifests as a cloud of nanomachines encircling the unit’s hull. Even when a moderate-intensity energy field is applied to the nano-relays, a web of energy forms which can effectively reduce the ballistic impact on the Tsunami’s hull. The drawback, of course, is that the field draws on both the power and the nanomachine resources required to operate the main cannon, rendering the tank unable to fire whilst the field is active. Furthermore, the powerful energy field gradually degrades the nanorelays, limiting protection to short bursts to prevent the complete collapse of the nanomachine system.


The Tsunami Tank’s main gun is effective against both land and naval vehicles.

Although it is not invulnerable as initially thought, the Tsunami Tank remains a powerful weapon. More than just an amphibious vehicle-which remains afloat only long enough to reach dry land-the Tsunamis are also capable of moving from water to land in the blink of an eye, often escorting ships and attacking naval targets. The extent to which the Imperial Army regards them as naval vessels is clearly demonstrated by the frequent sightings of lines of Tsunami Tanks at the Imperial Docks and by their deployment directly into naval combat. Like their namesakes, they are capable of moving onto land and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

All this technology and versatility comes at a price. The Tsunami is the lightest main battle tank in any arsenal and struggles to hold its own against Guardian and Hammer tanks in one-on-one combat. This fact, combined with the complexity of the Tsunami’s other features, makes it a difficult weapon to master – to become a Tsunami crew member, you must undergo rigorous training modelled on traditional Japanese military training. Tank pilots spend long hours in isolated training facilities studying weapon systems and tactics. In stark contrast to most Soviet and Allied training doctrines, Tsunami crews also study philosophy, poetry and traditional calligraphy, devoting themselves to an almost monastic way of life dedicated to warfare.


Instead of the typical crude and scatological inscriptions found on most weapons of war, Tsunami crews often decorate their tanks with poetry from the Shogunate period.

The gruelling training and the isolationist culture of the Tsunami crews foster a strong esprit de corps amongst the crews, and members of this elite force rarely have a choice in the matter. Even unconfirmed reports have suggested that Tsunami crew members would commit seppuku rather than be transferred to another branch of the Imperial Army. Whether these reports are true remains unknown. What is known is that the Tsunami Tanks and their crews form a cornerstone of the Imperial war machine.


Reconnaissance on the battlefield has at least revealed the following facts about the Tsunami Tanks:

• Deadly Wave– The Tsunami Tank is a fully amphibious main battle tank, capable of moving from land to sea in the blink of an eye. It is effective against all land and naval vehicles, giving Japanese commanders enormous flexibility on the battlefield.

-Protected- The Kagami nano-deflector armour can be used offensively to break through enemy lines and assault vulnerable targets at the rear, or to provide the tank with protection that can buy it extra time to escape. Because the main gun is inactive whilst the Kagami is active, the tank can even move faster as it is not restricted by the main gun’s target stabilisation system.

-Small pots, big ointments- Whilst technically lighter than the Guardian Tank and the Hammer Tank, the Tsunami Tank’s survivability is enhanced by its Kagami armour and amphibious capabilities. Crews are careful to avoid direct confrontation with enemy main battle tanks, relying instead on the judicious use of water and the Kagami armour to secure victory.

-Vulnerable to air attacks - Like all main battle tanks, the Tsunami Tank is vulnerable to air attacks, as well as to anti-tank infantry. Kagami armour can help the Tsunami survive until anti-air support arrives or until the crew has managed to crush the enemy infantry.