Last Samurai Standing: A Game of Survival?

Last Samurai Standing (Season 1/Japan/2025) narrates an unbelievable action-packed period drama. This Japanese series is about the deadly game of life and death for the Samurai (s), Ninja (s) and other dangerous players. Notably, the show is based on a popular novel and a hit book named Ikusagami (戦神) in Japan.

The Last Samurai Standing (Ikusagami) is an original historical novel by the author Shogo Imamura. It is a tale about a ruthless game of life and death, set in the Meiji era (1868-1912) in Japan. They published this (2022) period drama book as a Manga series, too. And now, they have made it into a Netflix series.

Therefore, the original title of this series is "Ikusagami (戦神)", which means "War God" in Japanese.

Ikusagami ~ Last Samurai Standing

Age Restrictions: TV-MA | "Mature Audience Only" (18+)

Focus: Last Samurai Standing (Season 1/2025) Japanese Series Review

Spoiler-Free Series Review

Synopsis (official)

In the early Meiji era, Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada), once known as an undefeated samurai, decides to participate in a deadly survival game to save his family and villagers from the cholera pandemic in Japan.

In 1878, 292 samurai gathered for a battle royale lured by a 100,000 yen prize. Wooden tags are given; the last survivor reaching Tokyo wins. Shujiro Saga participates in saving his sick family. A dangerous game of survival unfolds on the journey.

Poster

Storyline

In the year 1878, which is the 11th year of the Meiji era in Japan, it had been over a decade since the samurai lost their privileges and swords were banned from public streets. A mysterious flyer appears in all corners of the country, enticing those skilled in martial arts to Kyoto with the promise of wealth beyond what is commonly imagined. So, during the late hours of the night, 292 exceptionally skilled samurai convene at the Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto to engage in a perilous battle royale. They are enticed by the promise of a grand prize amounting to 100,000 yen.

As warriors, stripped of their purpose, gather at the appointed time and place, they are met with an extraordinary task: an all-out war against one another. In the end, who will be the Last Samurai Standing?

Strictly for Action Aficionado

⚔️A word of caution: this Japanese series is meant for the viewing of an adult (18+) audience only, because it has a lot of violent fight scenes. To be honest, sometimes, even we felt unease while watching the very well-choreographed but realistic action sequences.

⚔️ It is purely a thrilling action drama that tells us right at the beginning that “950 years have passed since the appearance of the first Samurai, with one battle, they vanished from the history of Japan…” As the new and advanced form of battle and warfare began to emerge around the world.

⚔️With so many “Samurai” in the 1800s show, one should be prepared to watch many (knives, bows, arrows, guns, etc.) sword battle scenes as well as martial arts combat scenes. Naturally, the show also exhibits decapitations, mutilations, disembowelments, blood spurting, etc.

⚔️And, as mentioned earlier, if you are an action aficionado, then this action-packed is definitely made for you. In this 6-part series, there are so many exciting close-quarter combat scenes to get your heart racing. We think you all might love this Japanese period drama.

High Points

📌The leading actor, Junichi Okada, plays the protagonist Samurai Shujiro Saga with a lot of sensitivity. Not only did he look amazing in the fast sword fight scenes, but he also displayed emotional maturity while playing a grieving father character.

We last saw Junichi Okada in The Fable (2019) and The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill (2021) movies, where, in complete contrast, he displayed his comedic flair too.

📌The young teenage supporting actress Yumia Fujisaki, who plays the innocent character of Futaba Katsuki, is impressive too. In this series, her moralistic character, Futuba, gives a sense of purpose and responsibility to the protagonist, Shujiro.

📌The late entrant and enigmatic Samurai character of Iroha Kinugasa has been remarkably portrayed by another young supporting actress, Kaya Kiyohara. Her character provides further depth and a background story to the protagonist, Shujiro.

The arc of these three characters (Shujiro, Futuba and Iroha) has been worth watching, as their bond continues to grow.

📌The scheming and secretive Ninja character Kyojin Tsuge is played by the tall actor Masahiro Higashide, who brings his unique mind-games to this deadly game of death. Masahiro plays a well-informed warrior, who is willing to extra distance to live and win the game in Tokyo.

📌Last, but not least, another tall and muscular actor, Hideaki Itô, plays the mad and bloodthirsty character of lost Samurai fighter, Bukotsu Kanjiya, impressively. His character was the only one who really challenged the hero, Shujiro Saga, in this murderous game.

Both Shujiro and Bukotsu had an epic action scene in the series; you can check their featured image at the top. And, we think, we also last saw him in the Tokyo Vice (2022-2024) series, too.

Rating

The Conclusion

So far, we have enjoyed this blood-soaked journey of Japanese warriors of the late 18th century. This Japanese series has more than enough fascinating characters to keep you engaged. Furthermore, the treachery, intrigue, back-stabbing, emotional drama, elaborate fight scenes, etc., all of these make it an engrossing show to watch. Also, the cliff-hanger ending of season 1 of the “Last Samurai Standing” series suggests that there is more to come. They have only reached the halfway mark in their mortal combat game. Meanwhile, you can watch as to who lives in this game of survival in Last Samurai Standing.

Key Details

Trailer (official)

Last Samurai Standing | Now Playing | Netflix | YouTube Bonus Video Link

Episode Summary | Spoiler Alert #1

Unable to support his sick family as a samurai in the modern Meiji period, Shujiro enters a dangerous tournament that promises a huge cash prize.

[The title "Kodoku" can either refer to a type of poisonous magic from Japanese folklore, or it is also the Japanese word for isolation or loneliness.] 

Kyojin, a former ninja, proposes an alliance with Shujiro and Futaba. Meanwhile, a high-ranking government official fears a potential samurai uprising.

The organizers bet on which contestant will reach the next checkpoint first. Shujiro shares his past with Futaba, then reunites with his estranged sister.

The group tracks the disposal of bodies in a plan to uncover the organizer of Kodoku. There, Shujiro confronts Sakura, a former comrade from Satsuma.

As the true purpose of Kodoku unravels, Shujiro sends a telegram to warn Okubo about the brewing conspiracy and arranges for Futaba's safety.

As the ruthless Gentosai finally corners Iroha, Shujiro faces Bukotsu in a fierce final showdown. Meanwhile, Okubo closes in on the game's mastermind.

Poster and Featured Image of Last Samurai Standing (Season 1/Japan/2025) Series | Pictures Credit: Netflix.