Review of Last Samurai Standing: The End of the Sword Era

Arriving quietly and without much fanfare, the Japanese series Last Samurai Standing is now available on Netflix. It is the kind of show that could easily go unnoticed if you are not actively looking for it.

Designed as an action-packed historical drama, the series is directed and co-written by Michihito Fujii and stars Junichi Okada as Shujiro Saga, a once-invincible samurai now struggling to survive in a world that has officially abolished the warrior class that once stood at the top of society.

The story is set in 1878, after the fall of the samurai and at the dawn of the Meiji government. This was a period in which Japan underwent rapid and often violent modernization, leaving many of its once-revered warriors without status, honor, or a clear future.

The plot revolves around a deadly survival game. A total of 292 samurai who have been cast aside, disgraced, or driven into poverty are drawn to Tenryū-ji Temple in Kyoto with the promise of a reward of 100 billion yen for whoever survives the journey to Tokyo. Each warrior carries a wooden tag that can be torn away by an opponent in a fight to the death, turning the entire journey to Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, into a brutal and relentless clash of swords, strategy, and physical and emotional violence.

Although the series is not directly based on real historical events, its setting, political backdrop, the Kodoku tournament, and the characters themselves are inspired by Imamura’s novel and its manga adaptation.

The audience response has been very positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, for example, the first season reached a 100 percent approval rating, indicating strong enthusiasm from critics. Praise has focused on the technical execution, combat choreography, world-building, and the emotional depth of the characters.

One of the most compelling aspects of the series is its blend of fiction with historical reality, particularly the end of the samurai era. This period came to a close in the late nineteenth century, when Japan underwent an intense transformation known as the Meiji Restoration, which lasted from 1868 to 1912. This era marked a decisive break from tradition and a push toward modernization that challenged the foundations of Japanese society.

The Meiji Restoration brought about the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, which had ruled Japan for more than 250 years, and restored political power to the emperor. The goal of this transition was to transform Japan into a modern nation capable of competing with rising Western powers such as the United States and European countries.

The impact on the samurai class, which held immense power and prestige in feudal Japan, was profound. The samurai followed the bushido code of honor, known as the way of the warrior, and played a central role in Japanese society both militarily and politically. Over centuries, they had become the social elite. However, with modernization and the adoption of Western-style institutions and armed forces, the role of the samurai was increasingly questioned until it ultimately disappeared.

The primary reason for the decline of the samurai class was the centralization of power under Emperor Meiji. The new government required a more efficient standing army rather than relying on warriors tied to traditional combat methods and a feudal structure. In addition, the abolition of the han, or feudal domains, and their replacement with centrally administered provinces weakened the authority of feudal lords and, by extension, the samurai themselves.

These changes culminated in military reforms such as the creation of a national conscript army in 1873. As a symbolic gesture of this shift, samurai lost their exclusive right to carry swords, one of the most powerful symbols of their honor and status. Many former samurai, lacking support from their former masters and unable to adapt to the new social order, fell into poverty or were forced to find new livelihoods as merchants or bureaucrats.

As expected, this transformation was not peaceful. Resistance to modernization led to uprisings, most notably the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, led by Saigō Takamori, one of the most respected samurai of the era. Saigō and his followers rebelled against the government, but the revolt was ultimately crushed. His death came to symbolize the final end of samurai resistance and the definitive collapse of Japan’s feudal system.

The fall of the samurai was therefore not only a military or social shift, but also a profound change in Japan’s national identity. As the country emerged as a modern and imperialist power, the samurai faded into history as symbols of a bygone era, making way for a more Westernized society that nevertheless lost many deeply valued traditions.

It is within this historical context that Last Samurai Standing portrays the decline of the once-honored samurai, now struggling to meet basic needs such as buying medicine during a cholera outbreak. This harsh reality pushes the protagonist into the deadly tournament.

As the story progresses, we meet other competitors, not all of whom are former samurai. One notable example is Futaba Katsuski, a teenage girl who enters the tournament without combat training but with the hope of using the prize money to save those around her, including her mother, from cholera. Because she is driven by a desire to save lives rather than take them, Futaba quickly becomes the emotional core of the group that forms around Shujiro.

Despite its relatively short episode count, the series succeeds in clearly establishing each character and their motivations. This strong characterization makes it easy to become invested in their journeys and outcomes.

There is even a standout character whom I expected to see for many episodes. Instead, the series subverts expectations and makes it clear early on that viewers should not grow too attached to anyone.

At the moment, Last Samurai Standing consists of a single season with eight episodes. Netflix has not yet confirmed a second season, and that decision will likely depend on viewership numbers. All that remains is to hope the platform continues the series, expanding further on the tournament, the journey to Edo, and the evolving relationships between the characters.

The combat sequences are a major highlight, especially a duel in the final episode that stands out for its impressive choreography and striking visuals. I genuinely feared for the protagonist, particularly because his opponent had already defeated a formidable warrior earlier on the road to Tokyo.

Absolutely. If you enjoy historical action dramas, this is a series well worth your time and easy to binge.

Last Samurai Standing is more than a story about sword fights. It is a reflection on what it means to exist in a time that rejects the very thing that once defined your purpose.

It explores what it feels like to be discarded by people and by a society that once offered protection. It shows the loss of identity and glory as a new era takes shape.

Fans of action stories featuring characters burdened by emotional and social scars will find plenty to admire here.

So, are you excited to watch it? If so, give it a chance and help show that stories like this deserve to continue. Perhaps this will be the blade that clears the way for a second season.