Netflix has officially renewed its Japanese period-action series Last Samurai Standing for a second season, following the show’s strong global performance.
The streaming platform confirmed the renewal in Japan on Friday after the Meiji-era drama emerged as one of Netflix’s biggest non-English successes this year. Since its release, the series has topped Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for non-English shows and ranked in the Top 10 in 88 countries.
In Japan, Last Samurai Standing held the number one position for four consecutive weeks, cementing its status as one of the country’s most successful domestic releases of the year.
The series also achieved a major milestone by becoming the first all-Japanese production to earn a Critics’ Choice Award nomination in the Best Foreign Language Series category. It currently holds a 100% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting widespread critical approval.
Last Samurai Standing has been renewed for Season 2! pic.twitter.com/W26YXyF6Dz
— Netflix (@netflix) December 19, 2025Director Michihito Fujii leads the project, with Junichi Okada starring in the lead role while also serving as producer and action choreographer. The show is based on Shogo Imamura’s award-winning novel Ikusagami and centres on a brutal survival contest driven by intense sword combat and high-stakes drama.
Set in the late 19th century, the story follows 292 samurai who gather at Kyoto’s Tenryuji Temple to compete for a massive cash prize. Okada portrays Shujiro Saga, a warrior who enters the deadly contest to protect his family.
An epic battle royale.
292 samurais.
One point per life.
Last Samurai Standing premieres November 13. pic.twitter.com/T5SOppzf3m
— Netflix (@netflix) October 26, 2025In an earlier interview, Okada hinted that future seasons could explore supernatural themes drawn from the original novel. Reacting to the renewal, he said he was excited to return to the series and promised even more action and energy in the next chapter.
Director Michihito Fujii also welcomed the announcement, noting that the show’s international success exceeded expectations and expressing confidence that Season 2 would surpass the first.
