A character in Last Samurai Standing in a large crowd

Fans have been obsessed with Last Samurai Standing since it landed on Netflix, with the historical drama earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes

ans of historical dramas need to tune in to Netflix’s six-part historical drama, Last of the Samurai, which has had fans hailing it as “one of the best shows of the year”.

The Japanese-language drama has been a firm favourite since it landed on Netflix last year, with the show earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Interested in the show? Read on for all you need to know. And as an added bonus, at the end I’ve included five more highly rated historical dramas I think you would enjoy… 

Two men fighting with swords in Last Samurai Standing© Netflix

Some fans have compared the show to Squid Game

Synopsis

The show was based on Shogo Imanura’s book of the same name. The official synopsis for the show reads: “The story begins in Japan in 1878, 10 years after the glory days of the samurai. Stripped of their identity and status and no longer permitted even to carry swords, the samurai struggle to survive in this new era.

“As the wealth gap widens and a deadly cholera outbreak spreads, a chance at salvation arrives: an invitation to participate in a tournament for 100 billion yen. The battle begins in Kyoto and ends in Tokyo, but the catch is that only one player will survive. Who will endure the brutal journey, and who is the mastermind behind this mysterious and murderous game?”

A silhouette of a man in Last Samurai Standing© Chihoko Ishii/Netflix

Fans have loved the series

Reviews

Fans have been enthralled with the show since it landed in November. One enthused: “Last Samurai Standing must be one of the best shows of the year. In the beginning, you feel like you are watching Squid Game but in ancient Japan. However, while that core storyline remains, it soon becomes secondary to the spectacular resuscitation of samurais on screen.”

A second added: “Last Samurai Standing is a visual treat and sure to satisfy genre fans. If you’re looking for seriously brutal samurai fight sequences and a tension-filled contest, Last Samurai Standing is a must-watch,” while a third penned: “Last Samurai Standing successfully blends action, drama, and historical context to deliver a gripping story about honour, sacrifice, and survival. It’s a must-watch for fans of samurai films and those who enjoy intense, character-driven narratives.”

Critically, the series also impressed. In a review on Roger Ebert.com

A group of characters in Last Samurai Standing© Chihoko Ishii/Netflix

Japan’s leading talents star in the series

Who stars in Last Samurai Standing?

The series is led by Junichi Okada (It Comes), and he’s joined by the likes of Yumia Fujisaki (The Parades), Kaya Kiyohara (An Invisible Cradle), Masahiro Higashide (Demon City), Shota Sometani (Worlds Apart) and Taichi Saotome (Last of the Wolves).

Also featured in the cast are Yuya Endo (Tiger), Taiiku Okazaki (Unbound), Kairi Jo (The Promised Neverland), Riho Yoshioka (Here Comes Asa) and Hiroshi Abe (Godzilla 2000).

A man screaming in Last Samurai Standing© Chihoko Ishii/Netflix

The show is coming back for a second outing

Will there be a second season?

Last Samurai Standing will be returning for a second season. Details about the return, including its air date and story details haven’t yet been confirmed.

The show’s writer and director, Michihito Fujii 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 two will be even bigger and better than the first.”

5 more highly rated historical dramas I think you’ll enjoy

Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light: Duke of Norfolk (TIMOTHY SPALL);Thomas Cromwell (MARK RYLANCE)© Playground Entertainment / Nick Briggs / BBC

Wolf Hall – BBC iPlayer (99%)

A six-part adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, this meaty historical drama centres on the story of Thomas Cromwell. Viewers follow his rise from humble beginnings to becoming Henry VIII’s most trusted adviser. However, life is not always easy for the Tudor official, as there are many power struggles at play.

My Lady Jane – Amazon Prime (95%)© Jonathan Prime

My Lady Jane – Amazon Prime (95%)

If historical fantasy is more your thing, My Lady Jane serves up plenty of fantastical romance and flirting across its eight episodes. Set in an alternative 16th-century England, Lady Jane Grey is persuaded by her mother into marrying Lord Guildford Dudley. In this epic tale, she unexpectedly finds herself queen overnight and becomes a target for those who want more than just her throne.

Peter Claffey in a still from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms© Steffan Hill

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – NOW (95%)

Set a century before Game of Thrones with the Targaryens still on the Iron Throne, this knightly drama sees courageous young knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, embark on a series of dangerous exploits.

Jason Momoa stars opposite Temuera Morrison© Apple TV+

Chief of War – Apple TV+ (92%)

At the end of the 18th century, the four major kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands are in a state of war. This series focuses on Kaʻiana, a warrior chief who embarks on a mission to save his island from a looming existential threat.

man and woman sitting at dinner table© Ben Blackall/Netflix

House of Guinness – Netflix (90%)

A punchy 2025 release, House of Guinness channels the anachronistic spirit of Peaky Blinders –unsurprising given the man behind it is Steven Knight who wrote the Birmingham-based smash hit. In his latest offering , Dublin is the setting in the turbulent aftermath of brewery mogul Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death. With the Guinness empire expanding , Benjamin’s children must navigate fratricidal warfare and political turmoil to keep the famous brewery together.