‘Last Samurai Standing’ Season 2 Renewal Status & What to Expect

A blend of Squid Game and Shōgun, Netflix series Last Samurai Standing is set in 1878 Japan, around a decade after the Boshin War, during the Meiji era. Enticed by an enormous cash prize up for grabs, 292 samurai from villages across the country enlist in a competition. The competition is called Kodoku, which sees the samurai tasked with travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo. But it’s not simply a race: each participant is handed a wooden tag, and they must kill and steal others’ tags in order to proceed. Our main character, Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada), enters the game in a last-ditch attempt to save his struggling and sick family.

The series is based on Shogo Imamura’s novel, which was also made into a beloved manga.

Last Samurai Standing Season 2 Renewal Status

Netflix has not yet green-lit Last Samurai Standing for season 2, but there are a few positive signs. For instance, the series hit #1 on the streamer’s global charts. In terms of reviews, it boasts a perfect 100% Average Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. 

How about viewership? Things are looking good on that front, with the show rocketing up the charts, having now featured in the daily top 10s in 93 countries. In its first week, it picked up 6.2M views and cleared most other Japanese live-action series released in recent years, with the exception of Alice in Borderland S3 and Yu Yu Hakusho, which were established titles. Here’s how its viewership stacks up so far:

How does season 1 end? And what can we expect from season 2?

By the end of season 1, over 200 of the contestants had died. We learn that the game of Kodoku wasn’t simply a sadistic trial, but part of an enormous underlying web of conspiracy, created by some of the most powerful figures in Japan. The concept was dreamed up by the ‘Mastermind’ Kawaji (Gaku Hamada), the General of Japan’s police force, who saw it as a way to rid the land of samurai. The game itself was funded by a group of businessmen, who saw it as a game and a fun way to bet on winners.

There are all sorts of powerful and fearsome contestants, including a couple that have a personal connection to Shujiro himself. Most notable is bloodthirsty samurai Bukotsu (Hideaki Itô), a previous ally of Shunkiro from the Boshin War. After they lost a past battle, Bukotsu — perhaps in pride — wanted to fight to the death with Shujiro. Back then, Shujiro left him gravely injured, and Bukotsu vowed that it would not be the end of their feud. Fast forward to the game of Koduku, and Bukotsu is out to get Shujiro. After a dramatic meeting in episode 1, they face off again in the finale, during a drawn-out and bloody battle, in which both men are set on fire. Ultimately, Shujiro emerges victorious and kills Bukotsu. Second time around, he showed no mercy.

After surviving his battle against Bukotsu, Shujiro soon receives a message from government official Lord Maejima telling him to travel to Tokyo immediately.

Amid the web of conspiracies and secrets, the series takes a shocking turn with the death of Home Minister Okubo (Arata Iura). After affirming his belief that the government and the samurai can work together, Kawaji has Okubo assassinated. When Shujiro learns of Okubo’s death, he believes it to be linked to the Kodoku: “This is no coincidence,” he says.

So what can we expect from season 2?

Last Samurai Standing season 1 ends with multiple cliffhangers, bringing ‘Chapter One’  to an action-packed close. Looking ahead to season 2, fans can expect the game of Kodoku to continue, as the participants fight to be part of the final 9 in Tokyo. But what awaits them there? Will they be forced to kill each other for the cash prize? Will it be split between them?

Moreover, the game of Kodoku itself isn’t just for the sadistic pleasure of rich gamblers — it’s embedded in political intrigue. The perpetrators are rotten and corrupt to their core. Season 1 explored this, but more episodes will add even more context and explain further motivations.

According to series creator Michihito Fujii, his vision for the entire series would see it last for “two or three seasons,” he told ScreenRant. “However, sometimes future seasons happen two or three years later, and viewers forget what happened in the past. Because I’m a fan of Netflix, I try to convey as much as I can in one season. I like to do as much as possible.”

Further interviews have suggested that superpowers may be on the agenda for a second season. Junichi Okada told THR, “For our show, for the first season, we don’t have superpowers, but if Last Samurai Standing is very popular and well received, and if we were to continue on to the second season, there may be a possibility that we might be introducing some of those aspects.”

Did you watch Last Samurai Standing? What do you hope to see in season 2? Tell us in the comments down below!