Netflix May Have Found Its Next Squid Game (And Here Are The Ratings to Prove It)

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Netflix is constantly searching for its next major hit series, hoping to replicate the success of shows like Stranger Things and One Piece, which have captivated audiences with their unique worlds. Squid Game, a South Korean series, unexpectedly became one of Netflix’s biggest successes, but with its recent conclusion, the streaming service is looking for a new show to take its place. A newly released series could be just what they need.

The new series, Last Samurai Standing, arrived on Netflix on November 13th and immediately drew comparisons to Squid Game due to its intense competition. But instead of children’s games, this six-episode show features warriors and criminals from feudal Japan battling it out in a brutal fight. The winner doesn’t receive a wish or forgiveness, but a large cash prize that would significantly improve their life during the Meiji era. Although it didn’t reach number one in its first week, Last Samurai Standing debuted at number three and has been well-received by critics.

Samurais Might Be Netflix’s Future

Although Last Samurai Standing has a tough challenge ahead to become as popular as Squid Game, it’s proving to be just as, if not more, violent. The series follows Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada) as he enters a deadly tournament against 291 other fighters. Currently, Netflix hasn’t announced whether the show will return for a second season, but its promising beginning suggests there’s a good chance we’ll see more action.

Though the story of Last Samurai Standing feels like it would be perfect for anime, it surprisingly hasn’t been adapted into an animated series. The manga began in 2022, published by Kodansha and created by Shogo Imamura, and new chapters are still being released. It’s unusual for a manga to not get an anime adaptation, making Last Samurai Standing quite unique.

Even though the original Squid Game series finished, it’s back with a new reality competition called Squid Game: The Challenge. The show features contestants playing the games from the series for a large cash prize. It’s hard to imagine a similar show being made for Last Samurai Standing, though – it’s unlikely there are enough samurai in the Western world willing to compete these days.

Have you noticed how popular Last Samurai Standing has become since it started streaming on Netflix earlier this week? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-16 20:16