Netflix renews ‘Last Samurai Standing’ for a second season

Netflix has greenlit a second season of ‘Last Samurai Standing’ after its global success and top streaming rankings

Netflix has officially renewed Last Samurai Standing for a second season following its worldwide success. The Japanese period-action series, set during the Meiji period in the late 19th century, became a global sensation after its debut. The story follows 292 samurai warriors gathering at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple for a deadly competition, with a grand prize of 100 billion yen. The protagonist, Shujiro Saga, played by Okada Junichi, enters the perilous contest to save his ailing wife and child.

The series has achieved remarkable milestones, topping Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English Series) chart and ranking in the top 10 across 88 countries. In Japan, it held the number one spot for four consecutive weeks. It also made history as the first all-Japanese production nominated in the Best Foreign Language Series category at the Critics’ Choice Awards.

Okada Junichi serves triple duty on the series as lead actor, producer, and action choreographer, collaborating with director Fujii Michihito. The production features a star-studded Japanese ensemble cast, including Yumia Fujisaki, Kaya Kiyohara, Masahiro Higashide, Shota Sometani, Taichi Saotome, Yuya Endo, Yasushi Fuchikami, Jyo Kairi, Takayuki Yamada, Wataru Ichinose, Riho Yoshioka, Kazunari Ninomiya, Hiroshi Tamaki, and Hideaki Ito.

Okada expressed excitement about returning for season two, saying, “I’m pleased to see that ‘Last Samurai Standing’ has reached global audiences and has been confirmed for a second season. I’m excited to get back into this wild world and once again charge into battle with the production team.” Fujii added that they are committed to making the next season “even bigger and better than the first.”

The series is adapted from Imamura Shogo’s Ikusagami novel series, which won the prestigious 166th Naoki Prize in 2021. Directors Yamaguchi Kento and Yamamoto Toru join Fujii on the project, with Oshida Kosuke serving as producer. Netflix’s decision to renew the series reflects its overwhelming global popularity and the strong demand for high-quality Japanese period-action dramas.