Overview
- All six episodes of the live-action adaptation are now streaming on Netflix following the November 13 release.
- Set in 1878 Kyoto, the series centers on a Kodoku tournament where 292 competitors vie for a 100 billion yen prize by collecting rivals’ wooden tags en route to Tokyo.
- Early reviews commend the world-class action, large-scale staging, and performances, while noting a brisk six-episode run and occasional pacing quibbles.
- Production leaned on practical effects, including an opening battle filmed over three weeks with hundreds of real performers and a crew of more than 1,000, with fireproof gear used for risky stunts.
- Creators position the show as a modern jidaigeki that nods to Kurosawa and The Last Samurai, with critics drawing surface comparisons to Squid Game for its game-like structure.