Doctor Joutarou Honma is a highly skilled surgeon whose actions and philosophy serve as a foundational influence on the protagonist, Black Jack. His most defining act is the life-saving operation he performed on a young Black Jack, who had been critically injured in a landmine explosion that killed his mother and left his own body in a near-destroyed state. It was through Doctor Honma’s skill and dedication that the boy survived, an event that directly inspired him to pursue a career in medicine and become a master surgeon himself.

Personality wise, Honma is depicted as a kind and determined old man, utterly committed to his patients regardless of how slim their chances of survival might be. This unwavering determination and inherent kindness made a profound impression on Black Jack, shaping his own complex approach to healing. Despite his expertise, Honma is not without flaws. During the initial surgery on the young Black Jack, he made a critical error, inadvertently leaving a surgical scalpel inside the patient’s body, specifically under his liver. This mistake haunted him for years, as he was consumed by guilt and worry that the forgotten instrument might pierce a vital organ.

The relationship between Honma and Black Jack is central to the story. Honma serves not only as a savior but as a primary father figure and mentor, representing the ideals of medical practice that Black Jack continuously grapples with. Seven years after the first surgery, Honma operated on Black Jack again, this time to remove the very scalpel he had left behind. Remarkably, Black Jack’s body had encased the blade in a sheath of calcium, preventing it from causing harm. This second operation further cemented their bond and Black Jack’s respect for his mentor.

In his later years, an elderly and ill Doctor Honma sent a package to Black Jack containing the extracted scalpel. When Black Jack visited him, the dying doctor used the opportunity to finally recount the full story of his mistake and the guilt he had carried. After finishing his tale, he lost consciousness and was rushed to a hospital. Despite Black Jack’s efforts to perform an operation to save him, Honma ultimately passed away due to old age and his infirmities. Even in death, his influence continued, as his daughter was cared for by others as a way to repay a debt to the doctor.

In terms of role and abilities, Honma is a master surgeon whose skill was sufficient to save a boy from impossible injuries. He is a figure from the past whose legacy is defined by a pivotal act of salvation, a profound error, and the lasting guilt it caused. His determination to save lives, even when faced with his own fallibility, is his most notable trait. His role in the story is less about active participation in current events and more as a foundational character whose past actions and personal philosophy are the catalyst for Black Jack’s entire journey. He is a reminder to Black Jack about the power of nature and the inevitability of death, providing a moral and emotional counterpoint to the protagonist’s more rebellious and commercially-driven approach to medicine.