Last Samurai Standing Debuts on Netflix — Epic Samurai Battle Royale

Tokyo, Japan — November 13, 2025 — Last Samurai Standing, the bold new Japanese drama on Netflix, has officially premiered today, marking a fresh chapter in samurai storytelling. This epic series blends historical drama with brutal survival stakes — 292 samurai warriors fight to the death for a life-changing prize in a deadly contest.

A High-Stakes Samurai Survival Game (Battle Royale Style)

In Last Samurai Standing, set during Japan’s transformative Meiji era, former samurai face poverty, illness, and obsolescence.hey are lured into a ruthless contest known as Kodoku, where each contestant carries a wooden tag. They must steal tags from rivals to survive and reach Tokyo.The last samurai standing will win a jaw-dropping prize: 100 billion yen.

Lead Role & Stellar Cast Bring Depth to the Drama

• Junichi Okada stars as Shujiro Saga, a determined samurai risking everything to save his sick wife and child.
• The show is directed by Michihito Fujii, along with Kento Yamaguchi and Toru Yamamoto.
• New cast members revealed include Gaku Hamada (as Kawaji Toshiyoshi), Tetsushi Tanaka, Arata Iura, Taiiku Okazaki, and Ayumu Nakajima.
• The ensemble also includes Yumia Fujisaki, Kaya Kiyohara, Masahiro Higashide, Shota Sometani, Kazunari Ninomiya, and others

Authentic Action: Real Swords, Real Risk

Unlike action shows relying heavily on CGI, Last Samurai Standing uses practical effects and live choreography. In one dangerous scene, actors in fire-resistant suits performed with real flames — underlining the show’s commitment to realism.  The production was massive: over 1,000 cast and crew members were involved in key action sequences filmed at Kyoto’s Tenryū-ji Temple.

Source Material & Creative Vision

The series is adapted from Shogo Imamura’s Ikusagami novels, which were later turned into a manga illustrated by Katsumi Tatsuzawa Imamura, the original author, has expressed his excitement at Junichi Okada’s casting, noting that Netflix stayed true to the spirit of his work—even as certain parts were reworked for television.

Where to Watch

• The series is streaming on Netflix. 
• It launched worldwide on Netflix on November 13, 2025. 
• In India, it’s also available on Netflix with local access.

Global Release & Festival Spotlight

Last Samurai Standing premiered globally on Netflix on November 13, 2025, with all six episodes dropping at once. Before the streaming launch, the first two episodes were screened at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in its On Screen section on September 18, 2025.

Last Samurai Standing хорош. Все серии уже доступны в дубляже 🦫 pic.twitter.com/pMu1t6eqMM

— Alex.Chuck (@alex__wave) November 14, 2025

What Critics & Fans Are Saying

• The Associated Press describes the show as set in a Japan where the samurai era is ending — and this battle game tests not just strength, but honor, legacy, and desperation. 
• ComingSoon.net reports that the director, Michihito Fujii, has teased “two or three seasons” for the show, signaling that its story arc may go beyond the first season. 
• Fans on Reddit are buzzing about the trailer’s raw choreography, mix of historical drama, and violent tension. > “Looks like it’ll be several notches above Squid Games … execution can regain my interest.”