Netflix’s Last Samurai Standing Trailer Reveals Junichi Okada in Deadly 100 Billion Yen Contest — Premieres Nov. 13
Netflix has dropped the trailer and a release date for Last Samurai Standing, its live-action adaptation of Shogo Imamura’s novel and manga Ikusagami, and the series will arrive on the streamer on Nov. 13. The show is set in post-samurai Japan and follows a desperate group of former warriors drawn into a deadly contest for a huge cash prize.
Trailer and release date
Netflix released the first trailer alongside the announcement of the premiere date. The preview shows the Meiji-era setting and the violent contest at the heart of the story.
In addition, the show is slated to premiere on Nov. 13, giving viewers a clear date to add to their calendars.
Premise and setting
The series takes place in 1878, slightly more than a decade after samurai were officially outlawed. Samurai lost their swords and social status, and consequently they were mostly left behind by a rapidly changing Japan.
Then, a mysterious flyer appears across the country offering 100 billion yen to skilled fighters. As a result, wandering warriors, now without purpose, head to Kyoto to chase the money. Among them are 292 fallen samurai who become part of a lethal game that kills many of the contestants.
Cast and crew
Junichi Okada stars as Shujiro Saga. He also serves as co-executive producer and worked on action choreography. The series is directed by Michihito Fujii and Kento Yamaguchi, with Toru Yamamoto also credited among the directors.
Okada’s comment
Speaking about his multifaceted role, Okada said, “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.”
Where to watch
The series will be available exclusively on Netflix when it premieres on Nov. 13. For more official details, you can read the announcement on Netflix’s press page.
