Netflix is introducing a new Japanese series called Last Samurai Standing that’s quickly gaining attention. Based on a well-known manga and novel by Shogo Imamura (with illustrations by Katsumi Tatsuzawa), the show features Junichi Okada, Yumia Fujisaki, and Kaya Kiyohara. It’s set in Japan during the late 1800s, a time known as the Meiji period.
The action unfolds at Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto, where 292 fighters assemble after dark for a high-stakes competition. The goal is simple, but perilous: each warrior must collect tags from their opponents and race to Tokyo for a chance to win 100 billion yen.
Junichi Okada stars as Shujiro Saga, a man who enters a dangerous competition hoping to find a cure for his wife and child’s illness.
An epic battle royale.
292 samurais.
One point per life.Last Samurai Standing premieres November 13.
— Netflix (@netflix) October 26, 2025
This action-packed series combines the feel of classic samurai films with the high-stakes tension of survival dramas like Squid Game. The newly released trailer showcases fierce sword fights, heartfelt scenes, and a relentless struggle for survival.
The series first premiered at the Busan International Film Festival on September 18th, where the first two episodes were shown to positive reviews. Audiences especially loved the show’s beautiful visuals and moving story. All six episodes will be available to stream on Netflix worldwide starting November 13th.
Junichi Okada was involved in every aspect of the show – he starred in it, produced it, and even created the action sequences. He recently explained how the project began.
You know, when Netflix’s Mr. Takahashi first contacted me, I was still working on those period dramas I love. Even then, I was already dreaming of how to take that genre global – I really believed it could be a hit with audiences everywhere, not just in Japan.
I recognized the story’s possibilities – it had action, drama, could offer social insights, and was genuinely entertaining. However, I believed it could be even better. When I found Imamura’s novel, I knew I had found the right source material because it was written in a style that would appeal to today’s viewers, and I was eager to bring it to life as an adaptation.
Director Michihito Fujii and Okada collaborated to turn the novel into a lengthy drama series. The production was huge, featuring almost 300 actors in elaborate costumes and with carefully planned movement. Fujii described the process as similar to making three movies simultaneously, emphasizing their commitment to both the original story and a high-quality, cinematic feel.
Combining Netflix’s wide audience with Okada’s unique vision, Last Samurai Standing promises an exciting and moving story set in Japan’s history, packed with action, emotion, and the struggle for survival.
The trailer is out now, and many fans believe this could be one of Netflix’s biggest and most impressive Japanese productions so far.
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2025-10-27 14:44