Last Samurai Standing Is Netflix’s Must-Watch Action Series
Set at the dawn of the Meiji Era, Last Samurai Standing follows an honorable samurai forced back into battle to protect his family.
This six-episode Netflix limited series, directed and co-written by Michihito Fujii and adapted from Shogo Imamura’s ongoing manga, stars Junichi Okada as Shujiro Saga, a seasoned swordsman facing overwhelming odds.
It’s 1879, and Japan is changing fast. The government’s push to modernize leaves the samurai class—once the nation’s elite warriors—struggling to survive in a world that no longer values their skills. When a new competition promising a large cash prize is announced, samurai from across the country converge in Kyoto for one final test of strength, skill, and endurance.
The series opens with onscreen titles explaining that 950 years of samurai tradition will be decided by a single battle. Shujiro Saga, haunted by the Boshin War, now faces a harsh reality: unemployment, a cholera-stricken family, and a rusty sword that reflects his fading era. When the mysterious contest is posted in his village—hosted at Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto—Saga has no choice but to draw his sword once more.
Saga’s wife, Shino (Riho Yoshioka), questions his return to combat, but survival leaves him no option. At the temple, hundreds of samurai gather as the patronizing Enju (Kazunari Ninomiya) explains the deadly rules. Competitors must fight their way to Tokyo, earning points by taking wooden ID tags from opponents. After a month, only the last samurai standing will claim a fortune.
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The tension is immediate. Soldiers surround the temple, rifles trained on participants, and Saga must quickly face a variety of opponents—archers, long sword wielders, and men with polearms. Among them are familiar faces from his battlefield past, though loyalty is far from guaranteed. Traumatized and hesitant, Saga must overcome his fears fast if he hopes to survive this brutal “win or die” competition.
Fans of historical dramas with a modern edge will find echoes of Shōgun and the survival-game intensity of Alice in Borderland in Last Samurai Standing. Elements of family loyalty and expert swordplay also recall Netflix’s House of Ninjas, while its historical depth pairs well with docudramas like Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, featuring co-star Hideaki Itō.
The action sequences in Last Samurai Standing are a visual spectacle. Continuous shots, unpredictable weapons, and the mix of traditional swords with modern firearms create intense, high-stakes battles.
The series captures the chaos of the era, where the old world clashes violently with the new, and every fight could be the last. An unseen mastermind even comments on the warriors: “These ghosts who call themselves samurai… let them indulge in this dance that will finally lay them to rest.”
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Saga’s challenge is not only survival but navigating a competition designed to be merciless. With every samurai for themselves and the gamemasters’ fairness in question, even winning a few rounds doesn’t guarantee safety. Yet Saga’s determination to provide for his family drives him forward, setting the stage for a binge-worthy series that feels like a nonstop action thriller.
Critics have hailed Last Samurai Standing as one of the year’s best action shows. The series has earned a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its thrilling fight scenes and compelling human drama. Collider’s Jeff Ewing gave it 9/10, calling it “an adrenaline-pumping show that can’t be missed,” while RogerEbert.com highlighted the “intricate action sequences” and emotional depth. Jonathon Wilson of Ready Steady Cut described it as “Shōgun meets Squid Game,” and James Marsh of South China Morning Post called it a “wildly exhilarating roller coaster” balancing history, heroism, and a rising body count. Tom’s Guide named it “one of the best shows of 2025,” perfect for fans of action and survival dramas.
Directed by Michihito Fujii (Shoutai, 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days), the cast also includes Yumia Fujisaki, Kaya Kiyohara, Masahiro Higashide, Shota Sometani, Taichi Saotome, Yuya Endo, Taiiku Okazaki, and Kairi Jo.
Synopsis:
In late 19th-century Japan, 292 samurai, including Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada), are drawn to Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto for a high-stakes cash prize. Each receives a wooden tag, and the warriors must steal tags from others while battling their way to Tokyo. Under the cover of night, the temple becomes a deadly battlefield as these skilled warriors fight for survival.
Last Samurai Standing is streaming now on Netflix, offering intense sword fights, historical intrigue, and an unforgettable story of honor, survival, and resilience.
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