The boss ignores def, so high def equip and Masamoto's buff don't help.
As far as I observed in my own fights, it's random who gets the true fear and who get's the stun from his first move. The boss seems to go for the champ that got true fear with his following attacks, at least in the first cycle of attacks. I have no idea what will happen if you bring a stoneskin champ to this fight, like Trips suggested, I never tested this.
Maybe it's just a matter of luck, until he choses the "right" target (in your eyes), like a Ninja in life leech who can recover to full health from attacks each turn. Toragi is a must have, shields and ally protection actually work, as def doesn't.
I used Kinagashi for revive, Hotatsu, Genzin, Kunoichi, and Fenshi...mainly because I didn't have anybody better. If I made it with that squad, you can, too.
The boss ignores def and also gainst turn meter when dealt damage (except poison and possibly HP Burn). That's where Fenshi actually came in very useful, he was made for that boss.
But still, I'd focus on nuking him fast and be ready to revive a champ.
got my 3 stars finally, thanks everyone for the help
Toragi was definitely a key that I didn't have in place
I also regeared Jintoro with more HP, lowered damage in the process but kept him alive
and now I have the song "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady" stuck in my head... don't care though 😎
Just please tell me you will wait to claim during champion chase for upcoming fusion...