Netflix has released a brand-new live-action series titled Last Samurai Standing, which started streaming on November 13. The show is set in Japan during the final days of the samurai era, a time when old traditions are fading and new forces are taking over. Based on a Japanese manga, the story follows Junichi Okada as Saga Kokushu, one of many samurai forced into a deadly survival game where only one can live.
Each samurai carries a wooden tag, and every time one kills another, they collect their opponent’s tag. The last person standing will win a massive reward, 100 billion yen, which is roughly $650 million.
Directed by Michihito Fujii, known for The Journalist and A Family, the series mixes intense action with emotional depth. It not only explores the end of the samurai age but also honors the spirit of classic Japanese cinema and the Hollywood hit The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise. That 2003 film was a huge success and helped bring Japanese actors like Ken Watanabe and Hiroyuki Sanada into the global spotlight.
In an interview, Junichi Okada shared that the goal of Last Samurai Standing was to modernize the traditional “jidaigeki,” Japan’s famous samurai drama genre. He said the team wanted to make something stylish and powerful while still respecting the history and essence of samurai storytelling.
Okada, who is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and known for his role in The Eternal Zero, brings both skill and authenticity to the role. With its gripping story, stunning visuals, and deep respect for Japanese heritage, Last Samurai Standing offers a fresh yet nostalgic take on the warriors who defined an era.