The Niao Sun section of artworks here is a combination of both 2D artwork and 3D renders. The 2D artwork offers a fascinating glimpse into the design stage of her character, with various different clothing options drawn (including the original dress seen in Shenmue 3). We also get to see concept artwork of her alter ego Li Feng, before an assortment of 3D renders, portraying her beauty and seductive nature. Her name in these documents is “Suzaku” – [This is the Japanese pronunciation. Meaning: Vermillion Bird].
Li Feng (Suzaku) – Profile (Character Order Sheet)
Description:
VF-RPG Character Order Sheet
Request Date: September 18, 1997
Original Concept: Makoto Goya (呉屋 真)
Requester: Nobukatsu Hiranoya (平野谷 信勝)
Creator: Eigo Kasahara (笠原 英伍)
Character Name: Li Feng (Suzaku) / 麗峰 (朱雀)
Chapter: Guilin
Character Number: No. 5 – 12-B
Location Description: All areas of Tàlín Temple (塔林寺)
<Order Details>
Name: Suzaku / Li Feng Version
Gender: Female (She becomes a woman with a serious personality, in contrast to when she is Suzaku)
Blood Type: B
Date of Birth: 1961.02.18 (24 years old; at this time, Akira is 17)
Height/Weight: 168 cm / 49 kg
Clothing: Ethnic outfit (see illustration for reference)
Appearance Location: Throughout Chapter 7 (At the end of the chapter, she reverts to Suzaku, revealing her true form). She also appears in the following chapters, but stays as Suzaku.
Connection to Akira: Enemy (one of the Four Heavenly Leaders of the Five Heavenly Stars).
Required Facial Expressions: Refer to the scenario.
Required Movements: Refer to the scenario; additional motions may be added later.
<Personality>
Omitted (same personality as Suzaku).
<Other>
Disguises herself as the woman named Li Feng to approach Akira and uncover the mystery of the Phoenix mirror. She pretends that she is also being targeted by the Five Heavenly Stars herself.
<Notes>
The opposite of when she is Suzaku (including a different tone of voice).
Li Feng – Early Full Body Illustration
An earlier color illustration of Li Feng, wearing a cream-colored tunic with purple decorative patterns along the sleeves and hem, a blue sash tied at the waist, and loose-fitting brown pants. She is posed with one hand gesturing outward.
Li Feng – More Detailed Full Body Illustration
A color illustration of a female character named Li Feng. She wears a beige tunic with purple patterned trim, a blue sash tied around her waist, and red pants. Sketches of her hairstyle and the back view of her outfit are also included.
Text:
麗峰 — “Li Feng”
Niao Sun / Li Feng – Headshot Illustration
A color illustration of Niao Sun / Li Feng’s face in both front and side views. She has long, flowing dark hair styled partially loose with a ponytail tied at the back.
Niao Sun with Hat Off – Illustration
A character illustration of Niao Sun wearing a flowing red Chinese-style robe with phoenix patterns and gold trim. The dress has wide sleeves with a blue sash around her waist. She holds a red hat in one hand and wears blue shoes with crisscrossed straps.
Niao Sun with Hat On – Illustration
Concept art of Niao Sun wearing a red and gold ornate robe with intricate phoenix patterns, and a red wide-brimmed hat. She is posed with one leg crossed over the other.
Niao Sun Alternative Outfit – Illustration
A color illustration of Niao Sun wearing a striking red Chinese dress with golden phoenix embroidery. The dress features a high slit on one side. She has long, flowing black hair and a commanding expression with her arms crossed. She is also wearing golden shoes.
Niao Sun Alternative Outfit – Illustrative Design Notes
A color illustration of Niao Sun (labelled here as “Suzaku”) in a red Chinese-style dress with gold phoenix patterns. She is shown from the back, with her hair flowing and her right hand extended outward in a red glove. An inset design shows a detailed gold phoenix emblem against a black background.
Text:
朱雀 うしろ 姿。 – “Suzaku rear view.”
金糸の鳳凰のもよう。 – “Gold-threaded phoenix pattern.”
Niao Sun Alternative Outfit – Phoenix Close Up
A color illustration of a red fabric swatch featuring a golden embroidered phoenix surrounded by intricate swirling patterns.
Niao Sun – Sketch
A pencil sketch of Niao Sun wearing a decorative headpiece with circular gems and a sleeveless, form-fitting dress with a high collar and has an emblem on her chest featuring a circular design with radiating lines. Her left hand is placed on her hip.
Niao Sun Shouting – Sketch
A pencil sketch of Niao Sun wearing a sleeveless top with a distinctive circular emblem on her chest featuring radiating lines. Her left arm is raised dramatically, and she appears to be shouting.
Text:
さよ～なら～～っ – “Goodbye~~!”
Li Feng – 3D Model Render
A 3D character model of Li Feng, shown from multiple angles including front, side, and rear views. She is wearing a green tunic with patterned trim, a blue sash tied around her waist, and red pants.
Niao Sun – 3D Model Render
A 3D model reference sheet for Suzaku, showing her in a red Chinese-style dress with gold phoenix patterns and green shoes. The model is displayed from multiple angles, including front, side, and back views. Close-up shots highlight her face, hairstyle, and forehead jewels.
Text:
SUZ 朱雀 –
“Suzaku” [This is the Japanese pronunciation. Meaning: Vermillion Bird]
作成 伊藤幸司 – “Created by Takashi Ito”
Niao Sun – 3D Head Render
Description:
A close-up 3D model reference of a woman’s face, shown from both front and angled side views. A jewel-adorned headpiece rests on her forehead, and her makeup includes red lips and defined eyeliner.
Niao Sun – Early Outfit Upper Torso 3D Render
Portrait of what appears to be an earlier design render of Niao Sun, evident by the lack of pattern around the collar area, against a colored background.
Niao Sun – Upper Torso 3D Renders
Description:
An assortment of close-up shots of Niao Sun with long black hair partially covering her face. She wears a yellow and black patterned collar with a low neckline. The background has blue tones with a blur effect.
Niao Sun – Bare Upper Torso 3D Render (Green Background)
Two side-by-side close-up renders of Niao Sun against a green background.
Niao Sun – Bare Upper Torso 3D Render (Pink / Grey Background)
A close-up of Niao Sun’s face. The background is a neutral greyish tone.
Niao Sun – Bare Upper Torso 3D Render (Soft Green Background)
A close-up of Niao Sun’s face. The background is a soft green gradient.
Niao Sun – High Quality Render
A high quality close-up of Niao Sun’s face. The background is a soft green gradient.
