Nobutsuna Sanada

Nobutsuna Sanada is a retainer of the Takeda, Masayuki's oldest brother, and uncle to Yukimura and Nobuyuki. Known for using a long sword in battle, he defended Ueda Castle against Kenshin and became the Sanada head after his father died. He fought well at Nagashino until his death by gunfire.

Role in Games
For most of the Samurai Warriors series, he is found at Nagashino, fighting the Oda before eventually dying alongside the Takeda Cavalry. On the third game, Nobutsuna appears in battles before Nagashino, such as Suruga and Mimase Pass. In Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada, Nobutsuna is commonly seen with his brothers.

Historical Information
Sanada Nobutsuna was born in Matsuo Castle in Shinano providence. He was very young when his father submitted to Takeda Shingen, and grew close enough to his lord to receive the shin character from Shingen during his coming-of-age ceremony. His first military action was in the siege of Toishi Castle alongside his father. He led his own battalion during the fourth battle of Kawanakajima and took over leadership of the Sanada clan in 1567 when his father retired. As the new head of the Sanada clan, Nobutsuna served under the Takeda. He fought at the battle of Mimasetoge and served as a major force leader at Mikatahara, in his lord's last major push. He remained loyal after Shingen's passing, fiercely fighting for his lord at Nagashino. At this battle, Nobutsuna and his brother Sanada Masateru led 200 horsemen straight into Sakuma Nobumori's camp, where he perished under the gun fire.