“Logo text Steel yourself for more blades, blood and battle — Netflix’s Japanese period-action series Last Samurai Standing has been renewed for a second season. The streamer confirmed the pickup on Friday in Japan after the series became a breakout hit globally. Since its debut, the Meiji-era battle royale drama has topped Netflix’s Global”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
Steel yourself for more blades, blood and battle — Netflix’s Japanese period-action series Last Samurai Standing has been renewed for a second season.
The streamer confirmed the pickup on Friday in Japan after the series became a breakout hit globally. Since its debut, the Meiji-era battle royale drama has topped Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English Series) chart and ranked in the platform’s Top 10 in 88 countries. In Japan, the series held the No. 1 position for four consecutive weeks, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about domestic releases of the year.
Last Samurai Standing also became the first all-Japanese production to receive a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination in the best foreign language series category. As of this week, it still carries a 100 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Michihito Fujii, the series is co-led by Junichi Okada, who serves as lead actor, producer and action choreographer. Based on Shogo Imamura’s Ikusagami best-selling period novel — which won Japan’s Naoki Prize in 2021 — the show features an expansive ensemble cast in an epic period production centered on highly stylized combat driven by a gripping survival game.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter before the season one dropped, Okada heavily hinted a second season was in the offing, and how it could, perhaps, include more supernatural elements found in Ikusagami. “We would have to see how this will go, [but at the moment] I’m more focused on the survival game element. Ikusagami… has this connection with God. In the first season, we introduced the kagura dance, which is like a spiritual ritual, so there is this element of the superhuman power, so we may be able to introduce this divine power.”
In a statement regarding the renewal of Last Samurai StandingOkada said, “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. We hope to make the next season even more energetic and action-packed. We’d love to have you along for the ride, and please stay tuned for Season 2.”
Fujii said the series’ overseas reception played a key role in the decision to move forward. “I’m very pleased and relieved that Last Samurai Standing has been such a big hit outside Japan. Thank you so much. I’m also honored to say that the series has officially been greenlit for a second season,” the director said. “It gives me chills just thinking about all the exciting days that lie ahead with this amazing production team led by Junichi Okada. There’s no doubt that Season 2 will be even bigger and better than the first, so I’m going to hold on to my seat and give it my best. I hope everyone will keep their eyes peeled for what we have in store!”
Set in the late 19th century during the Meiji period, Last Samurai Standing kicks off at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple, where 292 samurai are drawn into a lethal contest by the promise of a 100 billion yen prize. Okada stars as Shujiro Saga, a warrior driven by the need to support his ailing wife and child.
The cast includes Yumia Fujisaki, Kaya Kiyohara, Masahiro Higashide, Shota Sometani, Taichi Saotome, Yuya Endo, Takayuki Yamada, Riho Yoshioka, Kazunari Ninomiya, Hiroshi Tamaki and Hideaki Ito. Kento Yamaguchi and Toru Yamamoto also directed episodes of the first season, with Kosuke Oshida producing.
Netflix has not yet revealed a production start date or release window for the second season.