Last Samurai Standing has been a massive hit for Netflix. According to the streamer, the Japanese series reached the number one spot on the Netflix Weekly Global Top 10 for Non-English Series, appearing in the Top 10 in 88 countries. Yes, 88 countries. And now, Last Samurai Standing Season 2 is officially on the way.
Additionally, Last Samurai Standing Season 1 was recently nominated for Best Foreign Language Series at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Led by Junichi Okada and director Michihito Fujii, the series unites an all-star ensemble of Japan’s most respected creative talent in the action and drama genres.
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Junichi Okada, Lead Actor, who also serves as Producer and Action Choreographer, shared his perspective on Last Samurai Standing Season 2 via a press release from Netflix:
“I’m pleased to see that Last Samurai Standing has reached global audiences and has been confirmed for a second season. I’m excited to get back into this wild world and once again charge into battle with the production team. We hope to make the next season even more energetic and action-packed. We’d love to have you along for the ride, and please stay tuned for [Last Samurai Standing] Season 2.”
What is Last Samurai Standing about?
The series is based on the “Ikusagami” series of novels by Shogo Imamura, which Kodansha Bunko currently publishes the titles.
The official synopsis from Netflix for the series is as follows: Set in the late 19th century during the Meiji period, Last Samurai Standing thrusts viewers into a relentless life-and-death game.
At nightfall, 292 warriors — including lead character Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada) — gather at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple, each lured by the promise of a massive cash prize. Each donning a single wooden tag, participants must steal the tags of their rivals and race to Tokyo to claim victory. As the signal sounds, the temple erupts into chaos, launching a brutal fight for survival where only one can stand victorious.
The action is epic, with the large-scale melee at Tenryuji Temple filmed over multiple days and involving more than 1,000 cast and crew members. Producer and star Junichi Okada, together with director Michihito Fujii, pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling, blending modern CG advancements with practical effects to deliver some of the most realistic and visceral action scenes ever seen in Japanese television.
Watch the Last Samurai Standing Announcement Trailer
Last Samurai Standing Cast
- Junichi Okada
- Yumia Fujisaki
- Kaya Kiyohara
- Masahiro Higashide
- Shota Sometani
- Taichi Saotome
- Yuya Endo
- Yasushi Fuchikami
- Jyo Kairi
- Takayuki Yamada
- Wataru Ichinose
- Riho Yoshioka
- Kazunari Ninomiya
- Hiroshi Tamaki
- Hideaki Ito
Should you watch Last Samurai Standing Season 1?
Filled with intense battles and unforgettable characters, it quickly led fans and critics to ask for more. About the first season of the series, our critic said, “Last Samurai Standing presents a firm grasp of balancing enthralling history, entertainment, and emotional story beats. The series does not overstay its welcome by slowly building up the reveals or truths behind the events happening unbeknownst to the protagonists… For viewers looking for a quick, gripping story, this is a perfect piece of entertainment—easily bingeable in a day and will leave you starving for more in the second chapter to come.”
What is the release date for Last Samurai Standing Season 2?
Last Samurai Standing Season 2 has just been greenlit by Netflix, but it has not started production, and Netflix has not set a release date for the second season of Last Samurai Standing.
Last Samurai Standing Season 1 is streaming now, exclusively on Netflix.
