Netflix’s ‘Last Samurai Standing’ Is the Perfect ‘Shogun’ Replacement

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Netflix is expanding into all sorts of entertainment, offering content from around the world and across many different genres. You can find everything from dark Nordic mysteries and scary Filipino horror to Bollywood comedies, Korean thrillers, and Japanese anime, all branded as Netflix Originals. They’re trying to appeal to a huge range of tastes and reach as many viewers as possible, even if you’re not familiar with these types of shows.

Despite samurai films being incredibly popular in Japan, Netflix hasn’t really focused on them. While they’ve offered some anime and one live-action film, Blade of the 47 Ronin, that film feels more Western than traditionally Japanese. Netflix is missing iconic samurai movies like Twilight Samurai and 13 Assassins, and hasn’t explored classics such as Seven Samurai or The Lone Wolf and Cub.

It’s surprisingly hard to find high-quality samurai shows on most streaming services. FX’s Shōgun is one of the few recent series that really stands out. Now, Netflix is hoping to tap into the popularity of epic samurai stories with their new series, Last Samurai Standing, which looks promising.

What You Need to Know About Netflix’s ‘Last Samurai Standing’


Netflix

Last Samurai Standing takes place in 1878 Japan, during the Meiji period. The story features a unique competition called a Kodoku, where 292 samurai gather at Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto to battle it out for a large cash prize. Only the last samurai standing will win. The focus is on Shujiro Saga, a retired samurai played by Junichi Okada, who needs the money to pay for his wife and daughter’s medical care. Shujiro is a man of honor, but he’ll face opponents with all sorts of motivations – some good, some not so good.

Junichi Okada is no stranger to samurai films and action, having starred in and choreographed fights for movies like Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai, Samurai’s Promise, Fable, and Hell Dogs. Fans of his work will be pleased to see him bring those same skills to Last Samurai Standing. The series is based on the popular historical novel Ikusagami by award-winning author Shogo Imamura, which is also available as a manga for those who want to experience the story beforehand.

Even if the star power of Junichi Okada or the quality of the original story aren’t enough to draw in viewers used to streaming content, the sheer size and scope of this production is remarkable. The first scene alone involved over 1,000 people – actors and crew – to depict a massive, chaotic battle. While the exact budget hasn’t been revealed, the trailer and early discussions suggest it’s comparable to, or even larger than, the budget for Shōgun, which aimed for a *Game of Throneslevel of production value for its samurai story. Viewers can anticipate a visually stunning and epic first season, with six action-filled episodes.

‘Last Samurai Standing’ Looks To Appeal to a Modern Audience

But Like ‘Shōgun,’ It Also Stays True to Its Roots


Netflix

Though Shōgun and Last Samurai Standing tell different stories – the Netflix series is more action-packed with a focus on family, while the FX show centers on politics – both appear designed for today’s viewers. Shōgun recognized the importance of strong visuals and a traditional TV structure. To truly resonate with audiences, a show needs to be captivating, thrilling, and feel genuine, and Jason Momoa’s role in Chief of War is a great recent illustration of this.

The film Last Samurai Standing is adapted from a popular novel, and its creators, led by Junichi Okada, knew it was important to update the story for today’s viewers. While fans of traditional samurai movies love the genre, even they recognize that those classic, untouched versions don’t appeal to everyone.

In a conversation with Variety, Okada explained the show’s aim to blend classic historical drama with a fresh, contemporary feel. He said his team wanted to honor the past while also making it feel exciting and relevant to a new audience, stating, “We wanted to reinterpret the legacy of period drama with respect, but also with the energy to say, this is cool.” He further explained that he’d long been puzzled by why historical dramas often appeal only to older viewers, feeling they’d become more focused on tradition than on being truly entertaining. He described finding a relatable human story that bridges the gap between the past and present as the biggest challenge.

If all the right pieces fall into place, Last Samurai Standing could help Netflix reach a new audience they haven’t connected with before. The series is promising for both genre fans and viewers eager for more content like Shōgun.

How To Watch ‘Last Samurai Standing’

Fans of samurai stories and action will definitely want to check out Last Samurai Standing. This six-episode epic will launch on November 13, 2025, with all episodes available at once. It’s currently unknown if the show will continue beyond its first season – its future likely depends on how many people watch. However, it seems like a great follow-up to Shōgun and could become another signature series for Netflix in this genre.

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2025-11-05 03:41