A new Netflix series is set to mix historical drama with a deadly survival game. Last Samurai Standing, a six-episode Japanese epic, has released its first teaser trailer, drawing immediate comparisons to the tense competition of Squid Game. The show features nearly 300 samurai in a brutal battle royale for an unimaginable cash prize.
The Premise of the Game
Set in 1878 during Japan’s Meiji period, the series follows a time when the samurai class was outlawed and stripped of their status. The story begins when 292 warriors gather at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple after sunset, lured by the promise of a 100-billion-yen prize. Each participant is given a single wooden tag. The rules of the game are simple yet brutal: steal the tags of fellow samurai and be the one to reach Tokyo to claim the reward. The official trailer sets a grim tone with the message, “You fools who live without meaning: kill each other, until just one remains.”
At the center of this life-and-death contest is the protagonist, Shujiro Saga. He is not fighting merely for wealth, but out of desperation to save his sick wife and child. His personal mission adds a layer of human drama to the relentless action.
Behind the Scenes and Cast
Last Samurai Standing is based on the award-winning novel and manga Ikusagami by Shogo Imamura. The live-action adaptation is directed by Michihito Fujii, with Kento Yamaguchi and Toru Yamamoto also co-directing. The project is a massive undertaking, with the large-scale battle scene at the temple reportedly filmed over several days and involving over 1,000 cast and crew members.
The series boasts a star-studded ensemble cast from Japan. Leading the pack is Junichi Okada, who not only plays the main character, Shujiro Saga, but also serves as a co-executive producer and the action choreographer. He is joined by a formidable lineup that includes Yumia Fujisaki, Kaya Kiyohara, and Masahiro Higashide. The cast also features well-known actors like Takayuki Yamada, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Hiroshi Tamaki in key roles.
When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world,” said star and producer Junichi Okada. “I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further.
A Global Buzz and Festival Debut
The series is already generating significant international attention. Even before its Netflix debut, the first two episodes were selected for a prestigious screening at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on September 18, 2025. This early showcase highlights the global appeal and production quality that Netflix is aiming for.
Fans and entertainment news outlets have been quick to note the similarities to other hit survival stories. The core concept of a large group of people competing in a deadly game for money has drawn clear parallels to Squid Game. Meanwhile, the historical Japanese setting and samurai themes have led others to compare its scale and aesthetic to the popular series Shogun. Online reactions captured in media reports include comments like, “So basically Squid Game… but with Katanas? I’m in,” and “Samurai Hunger Games?”
When to Watch
Mark your calendars for November 13, 2025. On this date, all six episodes of Last Samurai Standing will begin streaming globally on Netflix. The series promises to deliver a blend of visceral, realistic action and deep emotional stakes set against a backdrop of a fading warrior tradition.
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