Summary
Visually similar to Dr. Ochanomizu with a large nose, Saruta’s nose is distinctively grotesque and spotted. While Ochanomizu often plays uplifting roles, Saruta is defined by darker themes. He appears in two of Tezuka’s most significant works: Black Jack and Phoenix. In Phoenix, he serves as an overarching protagonist alongside the title character, appearing in every story arc. Although his role varies from central to peripheral, and he sometimes uses different names or appears barely recognizable, he remains a constant and vital presence. His narrative is marked by immense suffering across many lifetimes, illustrating both the darkness of human nature and the capacity for perseverance and transcendence. In Black Jack, he appears as Dr. Honma Jotaro. Once a renowned surgeon, he was expelled from the medical community due to jealousy and skepticism regarding his research. He saved young Black Jack, acted as his primary father figure, and inspired him to pursue medicine. Given that the Saruta character in Phoenix best comprehends the systems of reincarnation and death, it fits that Dr. Honma frequently reminds Black Jack of nature’s power and the inevitability of death.
