Netflix has unveiled a teaser and added new cast members to “Last Samurai Standing,” the Japanese samurai epic that is set to bow in November.
The six-episode series is billed as “a tribute to the indomitable spirit of warriors who lived through turbulent eras” and has earned an invitation to the On Screen section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, adding festival prestige to the streaming giant’s growing slate of Asian content.
Producer and star Okada Junichi, who also serves as action planner, has expanded the ensemble cast for the deadly battle royale drama. Five new cast members have been revealed: Hamada Gaku as superintendent general Kawaji Toshiyoshi, Okazaki Taiiku as Keage Jinroku (a successor of the Kyohachi-ryu school of swordsmanship), Iura Arata as Home Minister Okubo Toshimichi, Tanaka Tetsushi as bureau of communications chief Maejima Hisoka, and Nakajima Ayumu as Okubo’s secretary Nagase Shinpei.
The newcomers join the previously announced star-studded lineup including Fujisaka Yumia, Kiyohara Kaya, Higashide Masahiro, Sometani Shota, Saotome Taichi, Endo Yuya, Fuchikami Yasushi, Jo Kairi, Yamada Takayuki, Ichinose Wataru, Yoshioka Riho, Ninomiya Kazunari, Tamaki Hiroshi, and Ito Hideaki.
Director Fujii Michihito, working alongside Okada, has crafted what promises to be a visual spectacle, particularly evident in the large-scale melee sequence at Tenryuji Temple. The set piece was filmed over multiple days and required more than 1,000 cast and crew members to execute.
“The action is epic,” according to production notes, with Fujii and Okada “pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, blending modern CG advancements with practical effects to deliver some of the most realistic and visceral action scenes ever seen in Japanese television.”
The series is based on Imamura Shogo’s “Ikusagami” series of novels, published by Kodansha Bunko. Fujii directs alongside Yamaguchi Kento and Yamamoto Toru, with screenplay duties handled by Fujii, Yamaguchi, and Yashiro Risa.
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The production team includes music composer Ohmama Takashi, cinematographers Imamura Keisuke and Yamada Hiroki, and production designer Miyamori Yui. Miyamoto Masae handled costume design, while Yokoishi Jun supervised VFX work.
Executive producer Takahashi Shinichi and producer Oshida Kosuke round out the key production team for Office Shirous, with Netflix handling planning and production duties.
The series premieres Nov. 13 on Netflix.
Watch the teaser here:
From Variety US