Netflix Premieres 'Last Samurai Standing,' A Six-Episode Samurai Battle Royale

Overview

• Now streaming on November 13, the Netflix series runs six episodes and adapts Shogo Imamura’s Ikusagami.
• Set in 1878 Kyoto, 292 warriors gather at Tenryu-ji Temple to compete for 100 billion yen using wooden tags as the game’s core mechanic.
• Junichi Okada leads the cast and also serves as producer and action choreographer, selecting Michihito Fujii to direct with an emphasis on character-driven drama.
• Producers say the opening battle employed 292 real performers over a three-week shoot with no digital crowd replication, and stunt work included managed fire risks using protective gear.
• Early write-ups compare the show’s visceral action and structure to Squid Game and Shogun, with Tom’s Guide calling it one of 2025’s standout streaming originals.