Netflix’s original slate for 2025 has been somewhat inconsistent, and there haven’t been many movies or shows that have stayed with me after finishing. However, I’ve found this year’s international slate to be much stronger, with the Taiwanese dark thriller “The Resurrected” being a compelling binge-watch, and now the Japanese action series “Last Samurai Standing.”
After watching the new series, I’m confident in calling it one of the best streaming originals of 2025, partly because it’s very reminiscent of “Squid Game” and “Shogun,” but also because it’s a genuinely thrilling story that packs in brutal action and emotion. It’s one of the easiest binge-watches ever.
“Last Samurai Standing” is an action-thriller centered on a former samurai who enters a deadly competition in 1878 Japan. Hundreds of warriors gather, each tasked with eliminating rivals to claim a massive cash prize, and only the last man standing will survive. If you need a new show to binge-watch this week, here’s why you should add “Last Samurai Standing” to your Netflix watchlist.
What is ‘Last Samurai Standing’ about?
In 1878 Japan, a former samurai named Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada) finds himself stripped of his status and compelled to enter a terrifying competition.
A total of 292 warriors gather at Kyoto’s Tenryū‑ji Temple under the cover of night, each given a wooden tag and told that only the last man standing after stealing the tags of rivals and surviving the journey to Tokyo will claim a massive prize of 100 billion yen.
Desperate to save his sick wife and child, Saga enters the deadly tournament and is soon caught in a ruthless cycle of betrayal and bloodshed. As the journey unfolds across Japan, the dying days of the samurai collide violently with a modernising world.
‘Last Samurai Standing’ needs to be on your watchlist
Putting it straight, “Last Samurai Standing” is one of the least original concepts on streaming right now, given its clear similarities to the game-like structure of “Squid Game” and the warrior culture of “Shogun.” But that’s also its biggest strength, as it takes those familiar elements and turns them into something genuinely compelling.
The series introduces us to samurai Shujiro Saga, whose family is struggling with cholera and poverty. Immediately, we understand his motive for entering the mysterious death game, which calls for skilled combatants and promises immense rewards. Each participant wears a wooden tag around their neck, and if it’s removed for more than 10 seconds, they are instantly eliminated. To pass through each checkpoint from Kyoto to Tokyo, a player must surrender a set number of tags, meaning the only way to advance is to take them from other competitors.
Much like “Squid Game,” the contest’s true organizers remain unknown, while a group of wealthy elites watches and bets on the competitors from a secure distance. This aspect didn’t particularly interest me, as I was far more intrigued by Shujiro’s developing fatherly bond with Futaba (Yumia Fujisaki), a young teen who entered the game to help her sick mother.
The majority of the series focuses on their growing bond as he tries to protect her, alongside flashbacks to Shujiro’s traumatic past during the Boshin War, the 1868–1869 Japanese civil conflict that helped end the Edo period and usher in the Meiji Restoration. He’s so traumatised that he initially struggles to draw his sword or harm anyone in the contest, but once he breaks, things turn brutal fast.
“Last Samurai Standing” also delves deeper into the characters’ histories, showing what drove them to join this deadly competition and revealing how their lives have often been intertwined, even for those who entered solely to kill. That way, you feel more inclined to side with certain characters.
While the flashbacks are initially effective as a replacement for heavy exposition, they often overwhelm the screen, particularly in the scene where Shujiro first cracks due to his trauma. Flicking between the horrific Boshin War scenes and the present feels forced and jarring, as if the creators don’t trust (or believe) the viewer already understands his suffering. It’s played for dramatic effect, which ends up lessening the impact of what the character is experiencing in that moment.
Even dramatic moments with the contestants sword-fighting in the rain are undermined by the fact that I can’t hear the voices over the weather or music. That said, putting these minor issues aside, the show truly shines in its expertly choreographed fight sequences. Each character has a signature weapon or fighting style, and every stand-off takes place in a unique, inventive setting during their trek to Tokyo. Not to mention some characters wielding bows and arrows with seriously impressive aim.
The fight scenes, production and acting are all really strong, which is pretty much what you want from a show inspired by “Squid Game” and “Shogun.” Even side characters shine: Iroha (Kaya Kiyohara), who demonstrates remarkable skill with a blade, has an intriguing backstory, as does the mysterious ninja Kyojin (Masahiro Higashide), who suggests they all form an alliance.
“Last Samurai Standing” is a visual treat and sure to satisfy genre fans. With only six episodes, it’s an easy binge-watch, especially with the classic trope of ending on a cliffhanger. If you’re looking for seriously brutal (yet stylish) samurai fight sequences and a tension-filled contest, “Last Samurai Standing” is a must-watch on Netflix.
Stream "Last Samurai Standing" on Netflix.
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