Netflix is set to captivate global audiences with its ambitious new series. Last Samurai Standing. The show is slated for a November 2025 premiere.
This historical survival thriller is poised to redefine the genre with its gripping narrative and impressive ensemble cast, headlined by Junichi Okada. The series is based on the Ikusagami novel series by Shogo Imamura, a recipient of the prestigious Naoki Prize. The story is set in the late Edo period, a time when the samurai’s once-glamorous status was in decline.
“When most people think about samurai, they think about this very glamorous period in Japanese history. But what a lot of people don’t realise is that, towards the end of the Edo period, the samurai lost a lot of their glamour and their power,” said Kaata Sakamoto, Netflix Japan’s content head. “Last Samurai Standing is about what would happen if these warriors — the toughest and best in Japan — all of a sudden became common people and had to fight for their lives. Think ‘Shogun’ meets ‘Squid Game’.”
Last Samurai Standing: First look, plot, and more
What is the plot of Last Samurai Standing about?
Last Samurai Standing centres on 300 samurai warriors who converge at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple, lured by the promise of a 100 billion yen prize. The warriors, each given a wooden tag, must collect as many tags as possible and reach Tokyo to claim the prize.
The competition is fierce and brutal, with each warrior fighting not only for the prize but for survival. The series promises to explore the resilience and adaptability of these warriors as they navigate their diminished status in a rapidly changing world.
The cast of Last Samurai Standing
Junichi Okada stars as the protagonist Shujiro Saga, a samurai driven by the desperate need to save his ailing wife and child. Okada, who also serves as an action choreographer and producer, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting the unique challenge of bringing the world of the samurai to life.
The cast also features renowned actors such as Masahiro Higashide, Shota Sometani, Hiroshi Tamaki, and Takayuki Yamada, among others, ensuring a stellar performance ensemble.
Other Netflix Japan releases
In addition to Last Samurai Standing, Netflix’s 2025 Japanese content slate includes the return of Alice in Borderland for its third season, promising to expand beyond its manga origins. Another notable addition is Bullet Train Explosion directed by Shinji Higuchi, which reimagines the 1975 film that inspired Speed featuring unprecedented access to actual bullet train facilities.
(Feature and Hero image credit: Netflix)