Appearance in Anime

Gen’ichirō Sanada (真田 弦一郎, Sanada Gen’ichirō), famously known as “The Emperor,” is the strict and disciplined vice-captain of Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku and temporarily served as captain during Seiichi Yukimura’s hospitalization. Alongside his teammates Yukimura Seiichi and Yanagi Renji, Sanada has been an integral part of Rikkai’s dominance in the junior tennis scene, leading the team to the Nationals every year since their first year.

The trio of Sanada, Yukimura, and Yanagi is revered as “The Three Demons of Rikkai” (Sannin Bakemono) due to their unmatched skill, leadership, and mental fortitude. Sanada’s presence in the team instills discipline and order, making Rikkai one of the most feared teams in the country. His unwavering dedication to training and improvement sets a high standard for the entire team, and his influence plays a crucial role in maintaining Rikkai’s powerhouse status.

Sanada is known for his relentless work ethic, unmatched discipline, and ability to push his teammates to their limits. His leadership, alongside Yukimura and Yanagi’s strategic expertise, ensures Rikkai’s continued reign as one of the strongest teams in Japan.

Sanada Gen’ichirō has short black hair that is neatly cut, with a blunt fringe visible when he removes his signature black cap, which he is rarely seen without. He has small brown eyes and a stern, stoic expression, similar to that of Tezuka Kunimitsu. Sanada possesses an imposing presence, standing tall with a muscular and well-built physique, emphasizing his strict and disciplined nature.

Despite being only fifteen years old, Sanada’s serious demeanor and mature appearance often make him look older, which has been a subject of teasing by his peers. His upright posture and sharp gaze contribute to his authoritative and intimidating aura, making him one of the most respected figures in Rikkai.

In New Prince of Tennis, Sanada is seen wearing a medical white eye patch over his left eye due to an injury he sustained while training in the mountains. This injury, while temporary, further adds to his fearsome and battle-hardened image.

Sanada Gen’ichirō is renowned for his strict and no-nonsense personality, particularly with his teammates, but even more so with himself. He embodies discipline, responsibility, and unwavering dedication to his team, ensuring that Rikkai remains a dominant force in tennis. With Yukimura Seiichi’s absence due to illness, Sanada stepped up as the de facto leader, enforcing the law of absolute victory and holding the team to the highest standards. His promise to keep Rikkai undefeated drove him to prioritize the team above everything else, shaping his uncompromising leadership style.

One of his most well-known traits is his infamous slap, which he administers when a teammate fails to meet his expectations or steps out of line. Even close friends like Renji Yanagi are not spared, as seen when Sanada struck him after a disappointing loss. However, after losing to Echizen Ryoma in the Kantō Tournament, Sanada ordered his teammates to slap him instead, demonstrating his belief in accountability and self-discipline. In the anime, however, this physical reprimand is not shown.

Despite his harsh and authoritative nature, Sanada possesses a compassionate and honorable side. He acknowledges losses if something valuable is learned from them, as seen when Akaya Kirihara unlocked Muga no Kyōchi in the manga. However, he shows no mercy to those who let emotions cloud their judgment, as seen in his treatment of Yanagi’s loss. His deep bond with Yanagi and Yukimura is evident, as they have known each other since their first year at Rikkai. Sanada met Yukimura at the age of four, and their strong friendship is built on mutual respect and trust. He frequently visited Yukimura in the hospital, always reassuring him that he was not a burden, despite Yukimura’s concerns.

Sanada’s strict discipline and warrior-like mentality stem from his background in kendo and iaidō, contributing to his strong moral code and preference for direct competition. He believes in defeating opponents through sheer strength and skill, rather than relying on tricks or mind games. This honorable but rigid mindset is both a strength and a weakness. While it allows him to play with integrity, it also makes him vulnerable to opponents who exploit his predictable playstyle, as seen in his matches against Atobe Keigo and Tezuka Kunimitsu. Yukimura, recognizing this flaw, has intervened in Sanada’s matches to keep him from self-destructive gameplay.

Though Sanada is usually calm and composed, he can become ruthless and aggressive when facing an opponent he genuinely wants to crush, such as Ryoma Echizen in the manga and Tezuka Kunimitsu. During these moments, he exhibits cold laughter and a chilling aura, accompanied by his signature phrase: “Fall with your despair!”

Interestingly, despite his serious and disciplined nature, Sanada is surprisingly innocent and old-fashioned when it comes to romance. In Gakuensai no Oujisama, he struggles to call the heroine by her first name, believing he lacks the mental discipline for such familiarity. He also becomes jealous over small things, such as the protagonist praising Atobe or interacting innocently with Aoi Kentarō. These moments showcase his unexpectedly shy and reserved side outside of tennis, adding depth to his otherwise stoic and commanding personality.

Sanada serves as one of the most prominent and formidable opponents in Prince of Tennis, acting as the second-in-command of Rikkai Dai. His presence alone commands fear and respect, making him one of the toughest players Ryoma Echizen and Seigaku face in the National Tournament.

Throughout the series, Sanada is portrayed as a pillar of strength for Rikkai, ensuring that the team remains at the top even in Yukimura’s absence. His rivalries with Tezuka Kunimitsu and Ryoma Echizen push him to continuously improve, making him one of the most evolved players by the end of the series.

He eventually faces Ryoma in the National Finals, where he demonstrates his full power, forcing Ryoma into one of his toughest matches. Despite losing, Sanada proves himself to be a true powerhouse and an honorable warrior, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in Prince of Tennis.

Yukimura Seiichi
Sanada and Yukimura have been close friends since childhood, having first met at a tennis club when they were four years old. Since then, Sanada has remained unquestionably loyal to Yukimura, treating him with deep respect and admiration. Despite his strict and authoritative nature, Sanada fears Yukimura, as he is well aware of his captain’s formidable strength and capabilities. In both the anime and manga, it is evident that Yukimura is one of the few people Sanada will obey without question, showcasing Yukimura’s natural leadership and influence over him.

Yanagi Renji
Yanagi, along with Sanada and Yukimura, formed the core trio that led Rikkai to the Nationals during their freshman year. Their long-standing friendship is evident in how Sanada and Yanagi address each other by their first names, a rare sign of closeness and mutual respect. However, Sanada holds high expectations for Yanagi, which is why he was deeply disappointed in him after his loss to Inui Sadaharu. In the manga, Sanada was even willing to strike Yanagi as punishment, further emphasizing his strict sense of discipline and high standards for his teammates.

Tezuka Kunimitsu
Sanada shares a strong rivalry with Tezuka Kunimitsu, as both are stoic and highly disciplined players who lead their respective teams. They mutually acknowledge each other’s tennis abilities, and Sanada strives to surpass Tezuka. However, like Atobe, Sanada recognizes that Tezuka still has room for growth, which further fuels his determination to match and eventually surpass him. It is revealed by Jackal Kuwahara that after Sanada managed to defeat Tezuka during the Nationals, he cried in the bathroom, showcasing how much their rivalry meant to him.

Atobe Keigo
Sanada and Atobe have a rivalry similar to Sanada’s with Tezuka, as both see Tezuka as their ultimate rival and aspire to defeat him in a fair match. Although they acknowledge each other’s skill, neither Sanada nor Atobe openly praise one another, keeping their rivalry fueled by competitive tension and mutual ambition. However, both have displayed an unspoken respect for each other’s dedication to tennis and leadership.

Kirihara Akaya
Sanada takes on the role of an aloof older brother figure to Akaya, though he is far stricter with him than Yanagi. He sees great potential in Akaya but believes he needs firm discipline to become the future captain of Rikkai. While Sanada is tough on Akaya, it is evident that he cares deeply about his development and wants to mold him into a strong and reliable leader for the next generation.

Echizen Ryoma
Despite losing to Ryoma in the Kanto Regional Finals, Sanada holds no grudges against him. Instead, he respects Ryoma’s talent and growth as a player. In a pivotal moment before the National Finals, Sanada helped Ryoma regain his lost memories, reinforcing their sportsmanship and mutual respect. Their camaraderie continues in New Prince of Tennis, where they train together in the mountains, further strengthening their friendly rivalry.

Kintarō Tōyama
Initially, Kintarō did not respect Sanada, likely due to his carefree and rebellious nature. However, during their mountain training in New Prince of Tennis, they eventually formed an unlikely friendship. In Pair Puri 9, Yukimura amusingly comments that he feels “paternal instincts” toward Kintarō, suggesting that Sanada and Yukimura have come to see Kintarō as a younger sibling or protégé.

Kaido Kaoru
Sanada and Kaido share a minor but notable connection in The Night Before the Decisive Battle, where they are shown as training partners in both the manga and anime. A humorous moment between them occurs when both fall victim to Tanegashima stealing their drinks, highlighting a rare instance of camaraderie and shared frustration between the two.