In the rich landscape of international television, few genres possess the timeless allure and visceral excitement of the historical action-thriller, particularly those emerging from Japanese cinema and series. Global streaming platforms have been instrumental in bringing these culturally specific, yet universally gripping, narratives to a wider audience. Now, following in that formidable tradition is a new Netflix Original series, Last Samurai Standing, a high-stakes, deadly contest set in a pivotal era of Japanese history.

This new series adapts a celebrated novel, creating a breathtaking historical action narrative.

The series, Last Samurai Standing, is set during the turbulent Meiji period in the late 19th century. The story begins when 292 skilled fighters, all samurai or masterless warriors, are secretly gathered at the Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto. They are drawn by the promise of an unimaginable fortune: a grand prize of 100 billion yen. The rules of the deadly game are simple and savage: the contestants must take each other's wooden tags and survive a journey all the way to Tokyo.

The series is a live-action adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel Ikusagami, written by Shōgo Imamura. One of the central participants is Shujiro Saga, an undefeated swordsman who enters the bloody conflict to earn the vast sum of money needed to save his seriously ill wife and child. It is a joint production by Office Shirous and Netflix, which premiered its first two episodes at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in September 2025. The global premiere of this epic action-thriller is set for November 13th.

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The narrative's power comes from a compelling set of lead characters brought to life by outstanding Japanese talent.

The main cast of Last Samurai Standing features several of Japan's most respected actors, many of whom have also taken on the multifaceted role of action choreographers, lending exceptional authenticity to the fight sequences. This dual role of actor and action planner, championed by the lead, is a major element of the production's quality. Junichi Okada plays the lead as Shujiro Saga, the undefeated samurai who joins the deadly game to save his family. Okada is also credited as a creative director and producer on the series. Other cast members are as follows:

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Beyond the central quartet, the series features an expansive roster of performers known across Japanese film and television.

The extensive supporting cast of Last Samurai Standing includes many distinguished names from Japanese entertainment, filling the story with a wide variety of competitors and historical figures. These actors play pivotal roles in the broader conspiracy and the brutal samurai contest.

The names include Shota Sometani as Kocha Kamuy, an eccentric and unpredictable fighter; Taichi Saotome as Shikura Adashino, a powerful antagonist with a mysterious past; Yuya Endo as Sansuke Gion, a key combatant in the tournament; Hiroshi Tamaki as Ukyo Kikuomi, a figure of authority and influence; Hideaki Itō as Bukotsu Kanjiya, another significant competitor; Gaku Hamada as Toshiyoshi Kawaji, the powerful Superintendent-General of police; and Hiroshi Abe as Gentosai Okabe, a wise and formidable figure.

Adding to the list, Tetsushi Tanaka is featured as Hisoka Maejima, the Director of the Post Office, linked to the political intrigue, Arata Iura as Toshimichi Ōkubo, a prominent historical figure, Riho Yoshioka as Shino, Shujiro’s devoted wife, and Kazunari Ninomiya as Enju, a character whose role remains shrouded in secrecy.

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The caliber of the talent involved signifies that this production is more than just a typical historical drama.

The large and distinguished cast of Last Samurai Standing is a significant factor in the series' ambitious scope, lending it both cultural significance and massive potential for global success. For an international audience unfamiliar with Japanese actors, the sheer depth of talent may be hard to fully appreciate, but it assures authenticity. Many of these actors, such as Junichi Okada, are considered top-tier stars in Japan, known not only for their dramatic performances but also for their commitment to realistic, intense physical action.

Okada’s role as the lead actor, producer, and action planner is particularly noteworthy, guaranteeing that the fight choreography is both creatively directed and executed with expertise, avoiding the repetitive nature sometimes found in action series. The global reach of Netflix transforms this impressive gathering of talent into a potential breakout series outside Japan, introducing a new generation of international viewers to the country's unparalleled historical action storytelling tradition.

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What more you expect from Last Samurai Standing? Let us know in the comments below.