Name:
Yukimura Sanada
Name:
Yukimura Sanada
Alias(es): Lord Yukimura, Yukino
Age: 37
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 117 lbs
Family: Older brother
Status: Samurai, leader of the Sanada Juyushi
Quote: I am being serious here, hee hee!
Anime: Samurai Deeper Kyo
Voice: (English) Christopher Kromer (Japanese) Megumi Ogata
History and Personality: On the surface Yukimura seems carefree and even a little irresponsible (okay, a lot irresponsible). His favorite companions are a smile and a jug of sake, and he's often found flirting with any woman who walks too close - not that the women mind, he's quite charming. But beneath that happy-go-lucky exterior is a cunning tactician and skilled warrior. And, as anyone who has tried to harm one of his friends or subordinates has learned, Yukimura doesn't need to have a serious face to be a serious opponent. When his father was killed in the battle against the Tokugawa's and his brother disappeared, Yukimura took over as the head of the Sanada clan. He formed an elite group of ninja who assist him in his plans to destroy the Shogunate and become the leader of Japan. There are only two things Yukimura seems to have strong feelings toward - Ieyasu Tokugawa and his friends. Toward Ieyasu Yukimura feels a deep hatred. In the war he was one of the foremost generals fighting against the Shogunate, and when he lost he escaped to plan an assassination, but his plan was never carried out. Toward his followers Yukimura feels a deep responsibility and friendship. While he is a commanding presence and expects obedience, he never treats his followers as tools or mere servants. Because of this his followers are fiercely loyal to him.
Yukimura has an interest in Kyo due to an agreement he has formed with Lady Sakuya (Kyoshiro's former lover), but the interest grows when he decides that Kyo may be the only opponent worth facing in Japan. Because Kyo's plans often coincide with his own (and if they don't Yukimura coerces Kyo into changing those plans...) he often travels with Kyo. He often plays the villain, but in truth he has begun to view Kyo and his party as friends and is nearly as loyal to them as to his own men. Despite his general attitude, Yukimura is often the voice of reason in the group, and his smooth talking both smoothes over arguments and is useful for gaining information from strangers.
At one point in the anime Yukimura appears to betray Kyo and the others and join the Mibu, but in reality this was a ploy to gain the fifth Muramasa (legendary weapons made by a swordsmith of the same name) so that he could join the others in defeating the Mibu - whose hold over Japan Yukimura wants to break. In the end Yukimura proves loyal to Kyo, though this loyalty does not prevent him from facing "Benitora" (a member of Kyo's party who is actually Hidetada Tokugawa) ten years later in a final battle for Japan.
Relationships: Yukimura is fiercely loyal to all of his people, often risking his own life to save theirs (though they are in place to protect him so that he can one day rule Japan...) Those he is closest to our Saizo, his chief messenger and spy who seems to have an almost hero worship attitude toward him; Sasuke Sarutobi, a young fighter who is rejected by the rest of the world because he is not truly human; and Anayame Kosuke, his body double (who is, oddly enough, a woman...).
The nature of Yukimura's relationship with Sakuya is unclear, but it appears the two have formed an alliance in order to stop the Mibu clan from ruling Japan.
While Kyo and Yukimora are never quite friends they do respect one another as warriors, and trust one another as comrades in arms.
Yukimura believed his brother to be dead, but instead finds him working for the Tokugawa's when he and Kyo join a sword tournament at the castle. Yukimura feels betrayed and wonders how his brother can serve a man like Ieyasu. His brother returns that Ieyasu is not worth serving, but that his son, Hidetada, is. he also tells Yukimura that he must find someone to fight for if he wishes to be truly strong.
Techniques: Yukimura's sword attacks are never named, however he uses the Sekireigan, which was taught to him by Anri.
Trivia: Yukimura Sanada is an actual historical general. Historically he fought Hidetada at the battle of Ueda castle during the war, but in the anime this is only briefly mentioned.
Why we love him: .. because he's Yukimura? Umm.. he's cute, and has a great smile, and he takes care of his people no matter what! Sometimes he's annoying and we aren't sure where he stands, but in the end he always comes through ^_^
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