Tokyo Rose – Zero Hour (a Graphic Novel) A Japanese American Woman’s Persecution and Ultimate Redemption After World War II
Tokyo Rose – Zero Hour (a Graphic Novel) by Andre R. Frattino, published by Tuttle Publishing in 2022, presents the true story of Iva Toguri, a Japanese American woman caught in the turmoil of World War II. This 128-page graphic novel explores her experiences after being trapped in Japan and forced to work for Radio Tokyo, where she became known as “Tokyo Rose.” The narrative delves into her struggles with identity, loyalty, and the consequences of war, highlighting the challenges she faced upon her return to the United States.
Readers will find a detailed account of Iva’s arrest and the subsequent legal battles that ensued, revealing the racial prejudices and injustices she encountered. The book also addresses the broader implications of her story within the context of ethnic studies and social science, emphasizing the lasting impact of wartime propaganda on Asian-American communities. With illustrations by Kate Kasenow, Tokyo Rose – Zero Hour not only recounts a significant historical event but also serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding loyalty and identity in times of conflict.
Official synopsis Publisher
**2022 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year: Silver Award Winner in Graphic Novels & Comics Category**
**Recommended by The New York Public Library as one of its 50 best comics for adults**
**A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection**
Traitor or hero? Discover the truth behind the legendary Tokyo Rose.
Tokyo Rose: Zero Hour tells the true story of Iva Toguri, a Japanese American woman who was visiting her relatives in Tokyo shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Trapped in Japan, Iva refused to renounce her American citizenship. But she was forced to take a job with Radio Tokyo to host “Zero Hour,” a propaganda broadcast aimed at demoralizing American troops–in the role of the infamous Tokyo Rose, “The Siren of the Pacific.”
The dramatic events recounted in this story include:
- Iva’s arrest by the Americans, who eventually found that her actions were blameless
- Her emotional return to the United States and the racially-motivated public outcry that led to her re-arrest and prosecution for treason
- The dishonest actions of prosecutors who coerced witnesses into providing false evidence against her
- The six years she spent in prison, and her eventual pardon by President Ford in 1977
Written by Andre Frattino and illustrated by Kate Kasenow, Tokyo Rose: Zero Hour has an introduction explaining the “Tokyo Rose” phenomenon and the devastating effects of World War II on Asian-American communities that continue to reverberate. In a world rife with misinformation and racial prejudice, the story of Tokyo Rose has never been more relevant.
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