Last Samurai Standing is a Japanese historical action-thriller released in 2025. It is a short-format series with 6 episodes, each running for around 50 minutes. The drama aired on November 13, 2025, and was broadcast every Thursday. Set during a turbulent period in Japan’s history, the series blends action, thriller, and historical drama with a dark survival-game premise. It carries a 15+ rating, suitable for teens and older viewers.
📌 Synopsis
The story begins in Kyoto in 1878, ten years after the end of the samurai era. Once-feared warriors have lost their honor, status, and even the right to carry swords. Many now live in poverty, while a deadly cholera outbreak spreads across the city.
In the middle of this chaos, a shocking opportunity appears. A mysterious tournament is announced, offering a massive reward of 100 billion yen. Drawn by desperation and survival, 292 former warriors gather at Tenryuji Temple. Each participant is given a wooden tag, which represents their life in the contest.
The rules are simple but brutal. Fighters must steal the wooden tags of others and make their way toward Tokyo. If a warrior loses their tag, they are eliminated. In the end, only one survivor is meant to claim the fortune.
As the tournament begins, violence erupts across streets, forests, and temples. Arrows fly from hidden positions, daggers strike without warning, and massive blades cut through opponents. Some fighters rely on raw strength, while others use strategy, traps, and deception. Every warrior has a unique fighting style, making survival unpredictable.
Amid the bloodshed, a deeper mystery grows. Who created this deadly game, and what is the true purpose behind it?
🎭 Main Cast
- Okada Junichi as Shujiro Saga
🟦 Supporting Cast
- Fujisaki Yumia as Kazuki Futaba
- Kiyohara Kaya as Kinugasa Iroha
- Higashide Masahiro as Tsuge Kyojin
- Sometani Shota as Kamuikocha
- Saotome Taichi as Adashino Shikura
- Endo Yuya as Gion Sansuke
- Yamada Takayuki as Ando Shinbei
- Ichinose Wataru as Tachibana Raizo
- Yoshioka Riho as Saga Shino
- Ninomiya Kazunari as Enju
- Tamaki Hiroshi as Kikuomi Ukyo
- Ito Hideaki as Kanjiya Mukotsu
- Abe Hiroshi as Okabe Gentosai
🟨 Guest Cast
- Abe Shinnosuke as Sakura’s subordinate (Ep. 2)
- Sano Gaku as Mibu Fugoro (Ep. 3–4)
- Yokohama Ryusei as Tenmyo Toma (Ep. 6)
💭 Final Thoughts
Last Samurai Standing delivers a raw and intense viewing experience, combining historical realism with a high-stakes survival format. Beyond the action, the drama explores themes of lost identity, honor, and survival in a rapidly changing Japan. With a powerful cast, brutal combat, and constant tension, the series stands out as a gripping choice for fans of historical action and strategic survival dramas.
