Trailer for ‘Last Samurai Standing’ Released: Netflix Unleashes a Deadly New Game
Netflix is bringing a brand new Japanese series that’s already making waves, Last Samurai Standing. The show is based on a popular manga and novel written by Shogo Imamura and illustrated by Katsumi Tatsuzawa. It stars Junichi Okada, Yumia Fujisaki, and Kaya Kiyohara, and takes viewers back to the late 19th century, during Japan’s Meiji period.
The story takes place at Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto, where 292 fighters gather after sunset for a dangerous contest. Each warrior must collect others’ wooden tags and make it all the way to Tokyo to win a prize of 100 billion yen.
Among them is Shujiro Saga, played by Junichi Okada, who joins the deadly competition to save his sick wife and child.
An epic battle royale.
— Netflix (@netflix) October 26, 2025
292 samurais.
One point per life.
Last Samurai Standing premieres November 13. pic.twitter.com/T5SOppzf3m
The series, filled with sword fights and intense battles, feels like a mix between traditional samurai drama and modern survival thrillers such as Squid Game. Netflix has released the first trailer, teasing brutal duels, emotional moments, and the desperate drive to survive.
The show had its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on September 18, in the “On Screen” section. The first two episodes were shown there to early audiences, who praised its stunning visuals and emotional storytelling. The full six-episode series will be available to stream worldwide on Netflix starting November 13.
Junichi Okada, who not only stars in the show but also serves as producer and action choreographer, shared how the project came to life.
“When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was still acting in historical dramas. Back then, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world,” Okada said.
“I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further. That’s when I came across Imamura’s novel. It was written in a way that modern audiences could enjoy, and I was excited about the idea of adapting it.”
Director Michihito Fujii and Okada worked closely to adapt the novel into a full-length drama series. The production was massive, involving nearly 300 actors, each with detailed costumes and choreography. Fujii explained that making the show felt like creating three feature-length films at once, with the team focused on staying true to the novel while giving it a cinematic edge.
With Netflix’s global reach and Okada’s passion for blending samurai tradition with modern storytelling, Last Samurai Standing is shaping up to be a bold and emotional ride through Japan’s past, full of action, heart, and survival.
The trailer is now available online, and fans are already calling it one of Netflix’s most ambitious Japanese projects yet.
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