In Demon City streaming on Netflix, Mayor Ryu Sunohara stands as the primary antagonist, a ruthless leader who controls the criminal underworld of Shinjo City.
More than just a corrupt politician, he is a man consumed by a delusional belief that he must protect the city from a so-called “demon”—a title he assigns to the film’s protagonist, Sakata Shuhe.
His descent into darkness, his twisted ideology, and his connection to the masked Kimen-gumi gang make him one of the most chilling villains in recent action cinema.
Overview
The Man Behind the Mask in Demon City
By day, Mayor Sunohara is the leader of Shinjo City, presenting himself as a guardian of law and order.
However, beneath this respectable exterior, he is the ruthless mastermind behind the Kimen-gumi, a criminal syndicate that terrorizes the city’s people.
Sunohara and his masked gang operate in the shadows, controlling the city’s ports and using them for illegal activities, including human and drug trafficking.
With absolute power over the authorities and the underground world, he ensures that no one dares to oppose him.
A Twisted Savior Complex
Unlike typical crime lords driven by greed or revenge, Sunohara believes he is fulfilling a sacred duty.
His actions are guided by a long-held belief that a “demon” rises in Shinjo City every fifty years, and it is his responsibility to vanquish it.
This delusion leads him to see Sakata Shuhe as the embodiment of this demon in the demon city.
Rather than perceiving Sakata as a man seeking revenge, Sunohara views him as a supernatural threat.
This belief is not just an excuse to eliminate an enemy—it is a conviction that fuels his every move.
A Childhood Marked by Cruelty
Sunohara’s inhumanity is not something that developed over time—it was always present. Flashbacks in “Demon City” reveal that even as a child, he displayed extreme cruelty.
One of the most telling moments from his past involves his twin brother. Unlike Sunohara, his twin was submissive and obedient, following every order without question.
A particularly disturbing scene shows Sunohara ordering his twin to attack their caretaker with a sword, an early sign of his sociopathic nature.
This imbalance in power between the twins continued into adulthood.
While Sunohara took on the role of mayor and crime boss, his brother remained in his shadow, doing his bidding without resistance.
The Masked Men: Enforcers of His Rule
Sunohara’s control over Shinjo City is reinforced by the Kimen-gumi, a gang of masked men who act as his enforcers.
These individuals are more than just foot soldiers; they represent Sunohara’s ideology and the fear he instills in the city.
Their presence is a constant reminder of his authority.
They eliminate opposition, enforce his will, and ensure that the city remains under his grasp.
Their brutality knows no bounds, as seen in their massacre of Sakata’s family—a pivotal moment that sets the film’s revenge story in motion.
The Conflict with Sakata Shuhe
Sunohara’s obsession with the “demon” legend puts him in direct conflict with Sakata.
Instead of seeing him as a grieving father or a wronged assassin, he sees him as a supernatural force that must be stopped at any cost.
This twisted belief drives him to orchestrate multiple attacks against Sakata.
Even after Sakata survives numerous assassination attempts and eliminates many of Sunohara’s men, the mayor remains convinced that his mission is righteous.
The Final Confrontation: Sunohara vs. Sakata
As Sakata cuts down the Kimen-gumi gang, his path inevitably leads to a showdown with Sunohara.
However, the fight takes a tragic turn when Sunohara captures both Sakata and his daughter, Rio.
In a chilling moment, Sunohara attempts to execute Rio in front of Sakata, hoping to push him into complete despair.
However, Rio regains her memories of her father, allowing her to escape as the final battle begins.
Despite Sakata’s injuries and overwhelming odds, he refuses to back down.
The battle reaches its peak when Sakata kills one of the masked men, only to discover that it was Sunohara’s twin brother.
However, Sunohara remains unfazed, showing no remorse for his sibling’s death—proving his complete lack of humanity.
The fight intensifies as Sunohara slices off Sakata’s left arm.
Even then, Sakata continues to fight, ultimately delivering the fatal blow that ends the mayor’s reign of terror.
The Twist Ending: The Twin’s Survival and Rio’s Revenge
While Sunohara meets his end, Demon City does not conclude there.
In the aftermath of the battle, it is revealed that his twin brother survived and assumes Sunohara’s identity.
By disguising himself as the mayor, he attempts to maintain the Kimen-gumi’s control over the city.
However, the cycle of vengeance does not end with Sakata.
In the film’s closing moments, Rio, now embracing her father’s legacy, takes aim with her bow and arrow—killing Sunohara’s twin and ensuring that the tyranny of the Kimen-gumi is finally over.
A Villain Defined by Madness and Power
Mayor Sunohara is not just a crime boss or a corrupt politician—he is a man driven by delusion and absolute power.
His belief that he must protect the city from a “demon” is what makes him truly terrifying, as he commits unspeakable atrocities under the guise of righteousness.
His twisted sense of duty, his dominance over his twin, and his control over the masked Kimen-gumi make him a villain who is both complex and horrifying.
In the end, his downfall is brought about by his own obsession, as the very “demon” he sought to destroy—Sakata Shuhe—proves to be his ultimate undoing in the Demon City.
Also read: Demon City: Summary and Ending Explained
