Samurai Showdown: 292 Former Warriors Compete for $900 Million Prize

In the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration, when the age of the samurai has ended and swords are banned, Netflix Japan is set to premiere its most ambitious historical series to date. "Last Samurai Standing" is a sweeping survival epic that follows 292 former samurai drawn into a lethal contest for a JPY100 billion prize and the chance to reclaim their honor.

Leading the project is Okada Junichi, who serves as the show's star, producer, and action choreographer. Okada's character, Shujiro Saga, is a once-feared assassin who joins the brutal tournament known as Kodoku to save his ailing wife and child. The series, adapted from Naoki Prize-winning author Imamura Shogo's novel "Ikusagami," reunites Okada with director Fujii Michihito, known for his grounded realism and emotional intensity.

Blending visceral sword-fighting realism with compelling character-driven storytelling, "Last Samurai Standing" aims to reinterpret the legacy of Japanese period dramas for a new generation. The show's production designer Miyamori Yui introduces a recurring leaf-vein motif symbolizing fate and fragility, while the ensemble cast includes acclaimed actors like Hiroshi Abe. As Okada reflects, the series' long journey, both in the story and as filmmakers, is just beginning as it premieres worldwide on Netflix on November 13.