Naiki Takanashi

Naiki Takanashi was a warrior of low caliber, who happened to be Yukimura Sanada's father-in-law and historically, he was reputed to not have been a general or renowned samurai of any kind, with very little military achievement and a man of very little renown, he only appears with a role of any substance in the Sanada Maru performance where he is turned into a retainer of the Sanada.

Samurai Warriors
In Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada, Naiki Takanashi first makes his appearance in the series due to it being based in the play where he first starts appearing more regularly. In this game, Naiki acts as an easter egg of sorts, along with Sakubei Hotta and other minor Sanada figures, but Naiki has the most longevity. First appearing during the conflict over Kawanakajima, he aids Masayuki in delivering supplies to the Takeda army amongst the frontlines, in a few sidequests. He then appears in several other Takeda campaigns later on, doing nothing to advance the story, and his commentary seems to be more of a narrative to the player, rather than anything useful gameplay-wise. His next important appearance comes near to the death of Katsuyori Takeda, where he instructs a young Yukimura to gather medicine in order to save their ailing master. Although their attempts ultimately fail, Naiki contributes to helping Masayuki gain prominence during the Tensho-Jingo conflict.

Naiki then appears as a steadfast general during the first defense of Ueda Castle being one of the few generals of the outmanned Sanada army and bravely defends the south gate, volunteering to face Naomasa Ii. It is up to the player (as Yukimura) generally to rescue him, but his bravery is commended by Masayuki and Yukimura alike. Being conspicuously absent from the Odawara campaigns, he returns during the second siege of Ueda, being a steadfast general who later aids in the pursuit of Hidetada Tokugawa at Someyadai. He then is seen escaping with Yukimura and Kunoichi to Osaka, and serves valiantly in both defenses, including Yukimura's last stand outside the castle walls, and is shown to survive the entire war during the epilogue of the game.