Interest in Japan does not weaken. He knows it well, that’s why In November 2025 he will show “Last Samurai Standing” – A costume story, which will include elements from “Shogun” Disney and Korean “Squid Game”.
Netflix wants more Japan. What will “Last Samurai Standing” be?
“Last Samurai Standing” will tell you about A group of 300 samurai fighting for a giant financial award. Of course, only one can win that will defeat everyone else. The relationship with “Squid Game” is obvious and the creators do not even pretend that this is unfounded:
When people hear “samurai”, they think about the greatest periods in the history of Japan. However, they do not realize that at the end of the Edo period, the Samurai lost most of the splendor and strength. “Last Samurai Standing” will be about what happened with such warriors – the best in Japan – when they suddenly became ordinary people and had to fight for survival. Think about “Shogun” mixed with “Squid Game” – argued Kaata Sakamoto, director of the Japanese branch of Netflix.
The story shown in “Last Samurai Standing” did not really happen, but it is a film adaptation of the popular “Ikusagami” manga by Shogo Imamura. The author in 2022 was awarded the prestigious Japanese Literary Award Naoko Sanjugo Prizehe was nominated for her several times. In his stories he describes mainly fiction, but set in the historical realities of Japan.
In “Ikusagami” he takes readers to the difficult time of the Meiji revolution. In fact, in 1878, Japanese politicians have already tried to implement reforms similar to the European model – with different success. In 1873, the Samurai class collapsed for ordinary universal consumption to the army. The Samurai defended themselves against this state of affairs, but in 1877 the last attempt to maintain the old status quo – a group of samurai -rebelants clashed with the state army. Without success – they lost the fight for old Japan, a The end of Saigo’s rebellion was the beginning of a completely new reality in the country.
It is from these historical events that “Ikusagami” draws handfuls, although the great struggle of samurai described in Manga in the Temple of Tenryu-ja for the financial prize has been completely made up. The main character, Shujiro Saga, will take part in the competition to ensure that the wife and child. This role will be played by Junich Okada, many times playing in earlier films and serials of warriors. Okada is also the main choreographer of the fighting, which is the most important element of the series.
Japan is on top
Asian films and series rarely go to our cinemas and are still rarely watched outside their region. In recent years, streaming platforms have managed to create a few pearls that have reached viewers around the world. This is of course “Squid Game”, which has been seen the second season and still reigns on the list of the most watched Netflix productions. Last year, the magnificent “Shogun” showed up prizes – a remake of the series from years ago, filming of James Clavel’s novels. The new Netflix series will undoubtedly interest players. “Last Samurai Standing” will correspond with the latest Japanese part of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” (premiere in March), as well as the formula of the game “Battle Royale”, in which the last living warrior wins. We invite you to participate in the poll and commenting.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
