Netflix Unveils Large-Scale Meiji-Era Samurai Series with 1000 Cast for November Release

Netflix is set to release "Last Samurai Standing," a six-episode Japanese battle royale series based on Shogo Imamura's "Ikusagami" novels, premiering on November 13. The story unfolds in late 19th-century Meiji Japan, where 292 warriors, including protagonist Shujiro Saga, compete in a deadly game to steal each other's wooden tags and reach Tokyo to win a massive cash prize. The series, led by producer and star Junichi Okada and directed by Michihito Fujii, features intense samurai action with a production scale involving over 1,000 cast and crew members, promising some of the most realistic and visceral fight scenes in Japanese television. The show will debut its first two episodes at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, highlighting its critical recognition. An expanded star-studded cast includes notable actors such as Hamada Gaku and Okazaki Taiiku, contributing to the project’s ambition and scale. Combining historical drama with modern visual effects, the series aims to be a grand tribute to the warrior spirit during a turbulent era in Japanese history.