Building on the resounding success of the Japanese action thriller adapted from Shogo Imamura’s manga, Netflix is doubling down on its latest hit.
The streaming giant has officially greenlit a second season for the acclaimed Japanese period drama, “Ikusagami: The Last Samurai.”
This renewal comes as little surprise to industry observers. Since its debut in November 2025, the series has become a global phenomenon, clinching the top spot on Netflix’s non-English global charts and securing a place in the Top 10 across 88 countries.
In its home market of Japan, the drama dominated the rankings for four consecutive weeks, cementing its status as one of the most significant premieres in recent history. The critical reception has been equally stellar, with the series maintaining a perfect 100% score from critics and an 85% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The project is an adaptation of the manga by Shogo Imamura and Katsumi Tatsuzawa, which was originally inspired by Imamura’s novel. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the Meiji era in the late 19th century—a turbulent time of sweeping reforms where Japan stood at the crossroads of ancient tradition and Western modernization.
The plot centers on 292 warriors who gather at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple to participate in a harrowing survival tournament, where the victor is promised a staggering 100 billion yen prize. At the heart of this lethal contest is Shujiro Saga, portrayed by Junichi Okada, a man driven to enter the fray by a desperate desire to save his terminally ill wife and child.
Director Michihito Fujii, who remains at the helm of the production, has already teased that the upcoming installment will be “grander and more high-octane.” However, a specific premiere date for the second season has yet to be disclosed.
Source: iXBT.games