HBO Max Sets ‘Song of the Samurai’ Premiere Date for New Japanese Live-Action Series

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HBO Max will be the home of Song of the Samurai, a live-action drama series from Japan. The show is based on the popular manga series Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem.

The new Japanese series will launch on HBO Max worldwide on May 9th, as part of a collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery and U-NEXT.

What ‘Song of the Samurai’ is based on

This series is based on “Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem,” a work by Shinya Umemura – the same creator behind “Record of Ragnarok.”

This manga has been published for 13 years and includes 36 volumes, with over three million copies sold. It’s also been adapted into anime and stage plays, growing its popularity and attracting a large following.

The story: Shinsengumi, loyalty, and survival in late Edo Japan

Song of the Samurai is set in Kyoto during the late Edo period and tells the story of the Shinsengumi, a well-known group of samurai who served during the final years of Japan’s military government.

The story follows Toshizo Hijikata, a skilled street fighter portrayed by Yuki Yamada, as he builds a close bond with Isami Kondo and Soji Okita, forming a new family with them.

Hijikata and his comrades create the Shinsengumi, but their loyalty is strained by conflicts, sickness, and war, forcing them to confront their values and the limits of their sacrifices.

Who’s behind the series

This project brings together Tokyo Broadcasting System, the streaming service U-NEXT, and studio THE SEVEN – the team behind popular live-action series like Alice in Borderland and Yu Yu Hakusho.

Masaaki Sakai wrote the series, while Kazutaka Watanabe directed it. Akira Morii, Mamoru Inoue, and Kazuya Shimomura produced it.

The series features an ensemble that includes Yuki Yamada, Ayano Go, and Kento Nakajima.

What HBO Max and partners are saying

James Gibbons from Warner Bros. Discovery explained that their partnership with U-NEXT is designed to showcase Japanese movies and TV shows, especially samurai and historical dramas, which are becoming increasingly popular.

According to Gibbons, HBO Max will soon release “SONG OF THE SAMURAI,” a new series made in partnership with U-NEXT. The show is part of an effort to bring more Japanese content to viewers. Gibbons believes fans will love this exciting new samurai story, which is full of action, features a strong cast, and is deeply connected to Japanese culture, especially given the increasing popularity of this type of content.

Tenshin Tsutsumi of U-NEXT explained that the project was created with the intention of being shown worldwide and easily integrated into broadcast systems.

Tsutsumi announced they’re excited to share this new series with fans worldwide, thanks to a collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery. The series was specifically created for international audiences and to showcase Japanese storytelling. They believe the high production value of ‘THE SEVEN’, combined with TBS’s creative talent and the popularity of the original manga, will make it a hit with viewers around the globe.

TBS’s Masamine Ryuho stated that the company is still dedicated to sharing Japanese narratives with a global audience, and explained that the series is a sweeping drama taking place during the turbulent Bakumatsu period.

Ryuho of TBS Group stated that they are dedicated to sharing compelling Japanese stories with a global audience. They plan to do this through strong content, the international focus of ‘THE SEVEN’, and partnerships with streaming platforms like U-NEXT and HBO Max. Their new historical drama is set during a turbulent time in Japan’s history – the Bakumatsu era – and portrays the lives and experiences of young people during this period of significant change.

Akira Morii of THE SEVEN explained that their goal was to create a historical Japanese drama that would appeal to a new generation.

Morii explained that they aimed to create a Japanese historical drama that would appeal to a new, younger audience. Based on a popular manga, “SONG OF THE SAMURAI” features strong performances and exciting action from Yuki Yamada and a talented cast, offering a fresh take on the samurai tradition. Morii expressed their satisfaction with the show launching on a major streaming service like HBO Max.

Yuki Yamada explained that the Shinsengumi were among the final samurai to practice traditional swordsmanship during a period of great upheaval. He believes the core of the samurai spirit is simply the will to protect others.

The Shinsengumi were a group of samurai in 19th-century Japan, considered among the last of these traditional warriors during a period of great social upheaval. As one member explained, the true spirit of the samurai isn’t just about swordsmanship, but a deep desire to protect others – a feeling everyone can understand. They hope viewers will enjoy the exciting action while also connecting with the emotional weight behind every fight.

Release date and availability

The new series, Song of the Samurai, will begin streaming on HBO Max on May 9th. Subtitles and dubbed versions in various languages will be offered in some countries.

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2026-02-26 23:02