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The wait is over! Last Samurai Standing has been released, and it immerses the audience in the world of Meiji-era Japan, where the stakes were high. This series on Netflix is nothing short of a mix of action, plotting, and emotional turmoil, giving an insight into the life of a past samurai, who then enters a brutal tournament of survival called Kodoku.
The series Last Samurai Standing captivated the viewers from the first episode with a tense and thrilling narrative where each step could be life or death! The story takes place in 1878, when the shogunate had just fallen, and the Last Samurai Standing portrays the 292 samurai who were forced to participate in the Kodoku tournament for a very big reward.
Each participant had to make impossible decisions, weighing their honor, existence, and personal interests. The series is based on Shogo Imamura’s novel and manga, set against the backdrop of history, and is a gripping, character-driven story, making it a must-see for audiences who enjoy intense dramas.
Last Samurai Standing release date and streaming details
The premiere of Last Samurai Standing on Netflix is set on November 13, 2025, in the form of a six-episode limited series. All six episodes will be made available at once, unlike the tradition of weekly shows, so that the viewers can gorge themselves on the entire tale.
Its global release will mean that the series will no longer be confined to Japan but will be welcomed by the worldwide audience, who are ready for the heavy drama, action, and storytelling that comes with the Japanese historical period.
Last Samurai Standing main cast and characters
Junichi Okada as Shujiro Saga
Junichi Okada, the main actor, takes on the role of Shujiro Saga, a samurai who was once the terror of all but now enters the Kodoku tournament to get the prize money and cure his wife and child suffering from the disease cholera.
Besides acting, Okada is the producer and action choreographer, who makes sure that the fighting scenes in the series are real and full of intensity. Okada is a mega-star actor in Japan and has received many awards for his characters in Kisarazu Cat's Eye, Hell Dogs, Tiger and Dragon, and The Fable.
Riho Yoshioka as Shino Saga
Riho Yoshioka represents Shino Saga, Shujiro's spouse, and she is the one whose disease pushes him to take part in the contest with his life on the line. Her role is not only a tragic story but also a depiction of the emotional upheavals that motivate Shujiro to go on through the series.
Yumia Fujisaki as Futaba Katsuki
Yumia Fujisaki is cast as Futaba Katsuki, a tough rival in the Kodoku tournament. The character’s abilities, tactics, and resolve make her a vital player in the "survival game".
Kaya Kiyohara as Iroha Kinugasa
Kaya Kiyohara takes on the character of Iroha Kinugasa, who possesses the fighting skill and the tactical brain that can compete with the top samurai in the tournament. Her part proclaims the cleverness and strength of the women fighters in the time of history when they were not considered fighters anyway.
Masahiro Higashide as Kyojin Tsuge
Masahiro Higashide is the one who plays Kyojin Tsuge, an expert samurai whose presence and fighting ability bring the tension and rivalries to the tournament from within.
Hiroshi Tamaki as Ukyo Kikuomi
Hiroshi Tamaki is the one who plays Ukyo Kikuomi, whose involvement in the Kodoku contest raises the strategic complexities of the "survival game".
Hideaki Ito as Bukotsu Kanjiya
Hideaki Ito, known for his roles in Umizaru and Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, plays Bukotsu Kanjiya, a talented player whose abilities and tactics raise the tournament's level.
Shôta Sometani as Kocha Kamui
The character Kocha Kamui, played by Shôta Sometani, infuses the Kodoku battles with his intensity and unpredictability.
Takayuki Yamada as Jinbe Ando
Takayuki Yamada depicts Jinbe Ando, a samurai whose thoughts and moral conflicts impact the tournament's fate, as one of the main characters with the most profound influence on the plot.
Wataru Ichinose as Raizo Tachibana
The actor Wataru Ichinose plays the character of Raizo Tachibana, who becomes one of the many complex character interactions and rivalries in the story.
Taichi Saotome as Shikura Adashino
Shikura Adashino is the character of Taichi Saotome, a player whose actions influence the tournaments' alliances and infightings.
Yûya Endô as Sansuke Gion
The part of the samurai Gion is played by Yûya Endô; with his strategic and passionate character, he is another one in the list of competitors.
Taiiku Okazaki as Jinroku Keage
The warrior Jinroku Keage is typically portrayed by Taiiku Okazaki; his plotting and fighting style will largely determine his relations with the other warriors.
Jyo Kairi as Shinnosuke Sayama
Jyo Kairi's portrayal of Shinnosuke Sayama is so good that it makes the character a significant contributor to the tension and complexity of the Kodoku tournament's storyline.
Kazunari Ninomiya as Enju
Kazunari Ninomiya, a member of the J-Pop group Arashi, gets to play the role of Enju, and he does it in such a way that the warrior-like characters’ series can be both attractive and deep.
Yasushi Fuchikami as Sakura
The character of Sakura is enacted by Yasushi Fuchikami, who is not only in the tournament but also positively affects the course of the battles.
Gaku Hamada as Toshiyoshi Kawaji
Gaku Hamada does a great job of portraying Toshiyoshi Kawaji, whose role complements the story's historical and strategic components.
Arata Iura as Toshimichi Okubo
Arata Iura gives a good interpretation of Toshimichi Okubo, who is an embodiment of the political and historical ambience of the post-shogunate Meiji era.
Tetsushi Tanaka as Hisoka Maejima
The role of Hisoka Maejima is played by Tetsushi Tanaka, who contributes to the group of samurai searching for life through the deadly game of Kodoku, by bringing in more dimensions to the characters.
Character dynamics of Last Samurai Standing
The relationships and interactions among the characters are the main focus of The Last Samurai Standing. Through his wife, rivals, and allies, Shujiro Saga's character is the one who carries the plot. Kodoku tournament scandals create and keep up the vigilance throughout the entire story.
Women like Shino Saga and Iroha Kinugasa are not only emotionally handling but also strategically positioning, which brings to the fore the variety of the survival game's experiences.
Themes and storytelling of Last Samurai Standing
The series is characterized by the themes of honor, survival, ambition, and moral dilemmas. Set in Meiji-era Japan, the series opens up the conflicts and suffering of the samurai who had to deal with the ever-changing society. Every clash, alliance, and decision brings to light the cost of living and the burden of personal honor.
What to expect from Last Samurai Standing
The spectators will surely partake in the long queue of action as well as excellent storytelling. The suspenseful atmosphere, steady character development, and authentic samurai confrontations are among the features of the six Last Samurai Standing's episodes that not only give the series a visually stunning quality but also an emotionally engaging tone.
Last Samurai Standing has an amazing cast. Each character adds and brings strife to the bloody Kodoku contest, thus creating a drama where action is smoothly mingled with a historical and emotional story.
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For the audience keen on historical survival drama, it is The Last Samurai Standing that provides a thrilling, six-episode experience that digs deep into the themes of honor, warfare, and human endurance.
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