#saruta

Phoenix: Earth(novel Author: 桜庭一樹(Sakuraba Kazuki) is set in Japan, China, and silk road Central Asia during World War II. This illustration is by Tsunogai.

One day, the ambitious young man Rokuro Makube, who serves in the army, hears a talk by Dr. Saruta about the Phoenix. After that, he is appointed to investigate the Phoenix together with his younger brother and the mysterious beauties.(tamami, princess sapphire, wato)

I like the atmosphere of the cover of Phoenix: Earth Edition and the character introduction at the beginning. All of Tsunogai's illustrations are great.

Tamami and Masato, who appeared in Phoenix Future Edition, also appear in this story. Masato is Rock's younger brother.

The characters on the cover of the second image are, counterclockwise from the top left.

Duke Red…三田村要造(Yozo Mitamura) Rock's adoptive father and president of a conglomerate. It is closely related to the Firebird. His wife is Yugao(夕顔), his mother-in-law is Nadare(雪崩), his eldest son is Garasu(硝子), and his eldest daughter is Shiokaze(汐風).

Shoren(小蓮)…間久部麗奈(Reina Makube) Rock's wife and Duke Red's second daughter. She played Black Jack's younger sister.

Wato Chiyoko…川島芳子(Yoshiko Kawashima). Princess of the extinct Qing dynasty.

Tamami…マリア(Maria). A mysterious beauty who is skilled with the flute.

Sapphire…ルイ(Rui) A handsome actor, but he has a hidden side.

Masato…間久部正人(Masato Makube) Rock's younger brother. He is actually a Communist spy. He has a pure and kind side.

Rock…間久部緑郎(Rokuro Makube)

He is an army major and very ambitious. He marries shoren, the daughter of Duke Red, and sets off on the Firebird Research Team.

The characters on the third page.

Saruta…猿田博士(Dr. saruta)

An indispensable character in the Phoenix series. Researching the Firebird.

Marukubi Boon…大滝雪之丞(Yukinojo Otaki)

He leads the "Otaki Expedition" that travels to unexplored regions. He was also the first captain of the Phoenix Exploration Team.

Black Jack…田辺保(Tamotsu Tanabe)

A childhood friend of Duke red. A genius engineering doctor, he invented the "Steel Bird Doll" that uses the power of the Firebird as energy.

Norse Necktall…道頓堀鬼瓦(Onigawara Dotonbori)

He changed careers from being an unsuccessful rakugo performer to becoming the founder of Onigawara Tobacco(cigarettes)

Acetylene Lamp…犬山元帥(Marshal Inuyama)

He was based at the Supreme Command of the Japanese military. He is a former navy officer and was previously the commander of the Phoenix Research Expedition.

Hamegg…黄金栄(kou kinei. golden glory)

The fearsome boss of the Shanghai mafia's, he plots to use Wato and sapphire to steal the Firebird.

Idk, I wanted to draw them bc they're just very silly yk........................👽

Another thing to add, is that the three leaves were separate from the other one. It's because Inukawa, Kijibayashi, and Saruta just wanted to have fun and laze around in the first place, meanwhile Tome is really passionate about the club— she takes it seriously.

They're "on a different page" from her, thus the leaves being on separate branches. :'))

Characters from "Novel Firebird Earth Edition" (小説 「火の鳥」 大地編), written by Kazuki Sakuraba.

The person who drew this isn't mentioned in the link but I would love to know who drew it. Pretty sure it may have been Tsunogai, but I would still like a confirmation.

Characters featured are:

Rokuro Makube (Rock Holmes)

Dr. Saruta

Reina Mitamura (Shoren Hazama)

Tamotsu Tanabe (Black Jack/Kuroo Hazama)

Yozo Mitamura (Duke Red)