Masayuki Sanada is the final target of the assassin Azumi and her partner Nagara in the film Azumi 2: Death or Love. A powerful warlord who commands a large army and employs the deadly Uenokagashu ninja clan for his protection, Sanada is portrayed as a proud and defiant figure who refuses to submit to the Tokugawa shogunate. He has been in hiding for years following a previous defeat, but he remains determined to continue the conflict against the Tokugawa and the Toyotomi faction. His motivations are rooted in a desire to prove that he still possesses the strength and will to fight, even in his old age, rather than accept a powerless retirement.

In the story, Sanada serves as the final obstacle for Azumi, whose mission is to assassinate him to prevent a civil war. Key relationships include his son Yukimura, who opposes his father’s reckless ambition and urges him to retreat, and his concubine Kunio, who leads the Uenokagashu ninja and dies in his arms after a failed attempt to kill Azumi. Sanada ultimately challenges Azumi to a one-on-one duel, declaring that regardless of the outcome, he will cease hostilities against the shogunate. He is slain by Azumi, but his decision to face her alone shows a measure of honor and a desire to end the cycle of violence on his own terms. Sanada is not a nuanced character in terms of development; he remains steadfast in his warlike stance throughout, and his defeat marks the conclusion of the protagonists’ long mission. His notable ability lies in his leadership and the loyalty he commands from a formidable ninja network, though in personal combat he is ultimately outmatched by Azumi.