Netflix has revealed both the trailer and release date for its live-action adaptation of Last Samurai Standing, drawn from Shogo Imamura’s novel and manga Ikusagami.
The series—directed by Michihito Fujii, Kento Yamaguchi, and Toru Yamamoto—stars Junichi Okada, who also serves as co-executive producer and choreographer for the action sequences. The story unfolds in 1878, more than a decade after samurai were outlawed, stripped of their swords and official status. A sudden nationwide flyer promises an irresistible reward—100 billion yen—to anyone skilled in combat, igniting a perilous scramble for fortune.
For many wandering warriors the cash prize is the only option left; for Shujiro Saga (played by Okada), the stakes are even more personal: the chance to secure medical care for his sick wife and child. Drawn by the promise of wealth, 292 disgraced samurai converge on Kyoto and find themselves trapped in a brutal contest that will decimate most of them.
Reflecting on his expanded role, Okada told Netflix’s press release that he saw an opportunity to make period action resonate globally—blending spectacle, social commentary, and character-driven drama—after discovering Imamura’s accessible take on the source material.
The central premise—desperate people pushed to extreme measures for a huge payout—inevitably recalls the cultural impact of Squid Game. Last Samurai Standing aims to channel similar tension and moral urgency, this time set against the upheaval of Japan’s Meiji era.
Last Samurai Standing premieres on Netflix on November 13, 2025.
Source: Polygon
