Tang Shen was the lover of Hamato Yoshi in the Mirage Comics, the movies and the 2003 animated series. The only TMNT franchise in which she did not appear was the 1987 animated series. In all the franchises in which she appears, her love with Yoshi is ill-fated. She is killed by a jealous lover, and is in some way linked to Yoshi's move to New York.

In the Mirage Comics, Yoshi and Shen's relationship attracted the jealousy of fellow Foot Clan member Oroku Nagi. In order to protect Shen, Yoshi killed Nagi, and for this act he was forced into exile in New York. Nagi's younger brother Oroku Saki was adopted by the Foot Clan, and in time became The Shredder. When he was ready, the Clan sent Saki to America to start a new branch. Saki took the opportunity to track down Yoshi and Shen, and killed them both to avenge his brother.