Last Samurai Standing Trailer and Key Art Debut
Netflix has unveiled the official trailer and key art for Last Samurai Standing, which is based on the “Ikusagami” series by historical novelist Shogo Imamura, a recipient of the 166th Naoki Prize. The series will be available to stream on November 13, 2025.
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 their rivals’ tags and race to Tokyo to claim victory. Shujiro Saga enters this dangerous game with one goal: to save his ailing wife and child.
As the signal sounds, the temple erupts into chaos, launching a brutal fight for survival in which only one can emerge 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.
The cast also includes Yumia Fujisaki, Kaya Kiyohara, Masahiro Higashide, Shota Sometani, Taichi Saotome, Yuya Endo, Taiiku Okazaki, Kairi Jo, Yasushi Fuchikami, Takaaki Enoki, Yoshi Sakou, Satoru Matsuo, Toshihiro Yashiba, Daisuke Kuroda, Mitsuo Yoshihara, and Wataru Ichinose.
Takashi Sasano, Yuya Matsuura, Ryudo Uzaki, Arata Iura, Tetsushi Tanaka, Ayumu Nakajima, Takayuki Yamada, Riho Yoshioka, Kazunari Ninomiya, Hiroshi Tamaki, Hideaki Ito, and Gaku Hamada round out the Last Samurai Standing cast.
The directors include Michihito Fujii, Kento Yamaguchi, and Toru Yamamoto. Kosuke Oshida is the producer, and Shinichi Takahashi is the executive producer. Office Shirous is the production company.
Okada, taking on multiple roles in this project, previously shared his enthusiasm for the show. “When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was still acting in historical dramas. Back then, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world.
“I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further. That’s when I came across Imamura’s novel. It was written in a way that modern audiences could enjoy, and I was excited about the idea of adapting it. I was also adamant about having Michihito Fujii as the director — if he hadn’t agreed, I was ready to step back from the project.”
Imamura echoed the excitement for the adaptation. “I wrote ‘Ikusagami’ with the intention of making a historical novel that could be enjoyed worldwide. When Netflix approached me, I was overjoyed. And having Junichi Okada in the lead role was a dream come true, as I had envisioned him as Shujiro while writing.”
The adaptation process was not without its challenges, particularly in transitioning the novel into a multi-episode drama series, likened to producing three films. Fujii and Okada worked meticulously on the script, ensuring it remained true to the essence of the original while adding cinematic elements.
With nearly 300 actors, each requiring their own costume, production demanded unwavering dedication from the entire team.
Despite the scope of the project, the team remains undeterred. “We’re creating a unique world with an ensemble cast. We feel a responsibility to deliver something unprecedented. I’m glad for this opportunity to take an amazing story, cast, and visuals, and create a work for Japan and the world to see,” Fujii said.
