Japanese historical dramas are suddenly hot property in the streaming space right now. The blockbuster success of epic Japanese historical drama ‘Shōgun’ has sent streamers scrambling to commission their own copycat shows originating in the rich cultural tapestry of medieval Japan.
Following in the footsteps of FX and Hulu original series ‘Shōgun’, streaming giant Netflix has announced its new Japanese historical drama ‘Last Samurai Standing’. Unlike the even older time period of Shōgun, Netflix’s ‘Last Samurai Standing’ is set in the late 1800s, during the Meiji period.
The story of Last Samurai Standing takes place at the Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. Come nightfall, 292 skilled warriors gather, lured by the promise of a grand prize of 100 billion yen. Among them is Shujiro Saga, who enters this dangerous game with one goal: to save his ailing wife and child.
The series is the official adaptation of manga novel ‘Ikusagami’, written by Shogo Imamura. The series stars Junichi Okada in the lead role of Shujiro Saga. Last Samurai Standing is directed by Michito Fujii (The Journalist). The series has been produced on a lavish scale, with nearly 300 actors comprising the huge cast, each requiring their own unique costume.
As per official communication from Netflix, Last Sam Standing will create a unique world with an ensemble cast and will deliver something unprecedented. The reflects the timeless allure of samurai tales and the enduring spirit of those who lived through those times.
Netflix’s Last Samurai Standing and Hulu’s Shōgun are a couple in a steady stream of content that stands apart from the slew of video game series, superhero shows and crime dramas that populate the OTT space currently. They represent the mad scramble amongst content creators to offer something different to their subscribers, along with being engaging and entertaining.