Netflix has unveiled its 2025 Japan slate of films and TV shows, featuring the highly anticipated Last Samurai Standing.
Set to premiere in November, this historical survival thriller promises to captivate global audiences with its dynamic blend of action, drama, and suspense.
The series is now drawing comparisons to the worldwide sensation Squid Game and the classic historical epic Shōgun but is poised to redefine the genre with its gripping narrative and stellar ensemble cast, led by Junichi Okada.
As the pieces are now coming together, here’s everything you need to know about Last Samurai Standing.
What is Last Samurai Standing About?
Based on the Japanese novel series Ikusagami written by Shogo Imamura, Last Samurai Standing is set in post-samurai era Japan during the late 19th century.
The story revolves around 292 fallen samurai who are lured into a deadly survival game at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple with a massive cash prize of ¥100 billion.
Each participant has a wooden tag; the goal is to steal these tags from others and reach Tokyo alive.
Only one of the warriors will come out victorious and have the prize.
But among the contenders, the protagonist, Shujiro Saga (Okada), joins the deadly game with a personal mission to save his sick wife and child.
Exploring the themes of resilience, fans are about to see how the warriors will adapt to their changing world after losing their traditional roles following the Meiji Restoration.
Meet the Cast of Last Samurai Standing
Netflix recently unveiled the cast of Last Samurai Standing. In addition to Okada, who also serves as the action choreographer and first-time producer, there will be a slew of cast members fans have to see.
- Junichi Okada as Shujiro Saga
- Riho Yoshioka as Shino Saga (Shujiro's wife)
- Yumia Fujisaki as Futaba Katsuki, a young girl caught in the desperate battle.
- Kaya Kiyohara as Iroha Kinugasa
- Taichi Saotome as Shikura Adashino
- Yuya Endo as Sansuke Gion
- Masahiro Higashide plays former Iga clan ninja Kyojin Tsuge.
- Shota Sometani portrays Ainu archer Kocha Kamuy.
- Hiroshi Tamaki takes on Ukyo Kikuomi, a noble guardian wielding long swords.
- Takayuki Yamada plays Jinbe Ando, a Kyoto police officer.
- Jyo Kairi as Shinjiro Sayama, a young man burdened by debt.
- Wataru Ichinose as the imposing Raizo Tachibana
- Hideaki Ito as the notoriously vicious Bukotsu Kanjiya
- Yasushi Fuchikami as Sakura) and Kazunari Ninomiya as Enju, the battle royal organizers.
Last Samurai Standing Will Show How Warriors Fight for Survival
Set in the late Edo period, Last Samurai Standing will depict the decline of the samurai’s once-glorious status.
“When most people think about samurai, they think about this very glamorous period in Japanese history. But what a lot of people don’t realize 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.”
Hence, the show will offer an intriguing perspective on how these warriors must fight for survival under these new circumstances—like in Squid Game and Shogun.
That said, Last Samurai Standing is not only another entry into Netflix’s diverse catalog. It is also Japan’s answer to the hit Korean drama Squid Game, combining drama and high-stakes thriller.