Currently streaming on Netflix, Last Samurai Standing turns historic Japan into the arena for one of the most gripping action dramas of the year. With only 6 episodes, it wastes no time delivering high-stakes combat, political intrigue, and emotional character arcs.
Set in the late Meiji era, 292 elite fighters converge on Kyoto to compete for a massive prize of 100,000 yen—a fortune at the time. The rules are simple and brutal: kill your opponents, seize their wooden tags, and survive the trek to Tokyo. Only one will walk away.
Among them is Shujiro Saga, who enters not for glory, but to save his cholera-stricken family. His mission instantly gives the story weight—and every duel a tragic edge.
The choreography is superb, showcasing diverse fighting styles, inventive match-ups, and bloody sword work that feels both cinematic and authentic. The decline of the samurai class is smartly woven into the narrative, as rifles and Western influence begin to eclipse the old code of the blade.
Fans of Kurosawa and classic chanbara cinema will spot loving homages throughout, while the series keeps the pacing modern and ruthless.
At the heart of the story is Shujiro—once feared as “The Demon Manslayer.” Scarred by betrayal and loss, he’s reluctant to ever draw his sword again. When he finally does, the payoff is electric and instantly explains his legendary reputation.
As the pool of fighters narrows, the strongest remain—and so do the watchers. Western-dressed power brokers observe from afar, but their motives prove far more complicated than advertised. Side characters add richness, each with personal reasons to kill or be killed, making the story more than just spectacle.
The series adapts Shogo Imamura’s 2012 novel Ikusagami** and its popular 2022 manga, keeping the stylish brutality intact. Lead actor Junichi Okada doubles as the production’s action choreographer—part of why the fights land so hard.
A razor-sharp first season with Room to Grow, Brutal villains, tight storytelling, and elevated swordplay make this a standout Japanese action drama. With its final episodes setting up a larger power struggle, season 2 can’t come soon enough.
SERIES 8.5 OUT OF 10