Who's Who: Sadaharu

Sadaharu
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Unon Sadaharu

Super-Power(s): Martial arts
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: Villain

Legion Log
Unon Sadaharu was one of the highest ranking members of the Black Dragon's criminal gang in Japan. When Black Dragon was killed by Toshiaki Shirotsuru, Sadaharu was forced to go underground. He vowed revenge for his friend's murder.

Several years ago, Sadaharu finally managed to locate Shirotsuru, and promptly attempted to kill him. The elderly man fought through Sadaharu and his gang, then retreated to the Black Dragon's former hideout in a remote mountainous area outside Tokyo. Sadaharu then tricked Karate Kid into helping him break through the otherwise impervious walls of Black Dragon's hideout.

Shirotsuru was in fact Karate Kid's "Sensei" (teacher), the man who had raised him and trained him. He admitted that he had killed Karate Kid's father, who had been the notorious Black Dragon. Sadaharu vowed to kill Shirotsuru, but Karate Kid stood by his Sensei, and together they defeated Sadaharu and his gang.

A few years later, Sadaharu decided to call himself the new Black Dragon, and put together a new gang. One of his first duties was to kill Karate Kid and Shirotsuru. Knowing that Karate Kid was involved with Princess Projectra of Orando, Sadaharu led his gang to the medieval planet and challenged Karate Kid to a battle to the death. Of course, Karate Kid defeated him again.

Sadaharu never reappeared, not in any continuity.

After Infinite Crisis, Sadaharu's original history has presumably been more or less restored.

The character's name is an incorrectly Romanized version of a Japanese man's name. The more likely name is Sadowara Unan.  

Important Sadaharu stories:

Superboy/Legion of Super-Heroes #210
(reprinted in The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 11
and Showcase Presents: The Legion Vol. 5)

The debut of Sadaharu

Karate Kid #10

Sadaharu takes over Orando in an attempt to kill Karate Kid