‘So Good’: New Netflix Samurai Series Gets High Praise From Hideo Kojima

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Netflix’s new series, Last Samurai Standing, is getting a lot of attention and positive feedback. Critics and viewers alike are praising the show, and even famous video game creator Hideo Kojima shared his enthusiasm after watching all six episodes in one go.

Hideo Kojima says the direction of Last Samurai Standing made his ‘heart skip’ a beat

Hideo Kojima, the creator of Death Stranding, shared strong positive feedback about the Netflix series Last Samurai Standing in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), saying it was so good it made his heart race.

Kojima recently shared his thoughts on the series Ikusagami (also known as Last Samurai Standing), having watched the first six episodes. He praised the show, particularly its unique world, which he compared to a blend of Squid Game and the style of Japanese author Yamada Futaro, known for his action-packed stories. He appreciated the show’s survival elements and exciting action sequences.

Kojima noted that the way the story shifted between different groups – the game developers, organizers, and government officials – felt very well-paced. He also praised the willingness to eliminate even beloved characters from a strong cast, and mentioned a particular directorial choice reminiscent of the film Sanjūrō that he found particularly impactful. (via GamesRadar)

Tsubaki Sanjūrō is a famous samurai movie directed by Akira Kurosawa. It’s a follow-up to his earlier film, Yojimbo, from 1961, and is considered a classic of the samurai genre.

Last Samurai Standing, a series set in the 1800s, is based on Shogo Imamura’s novel. It follows Shujiro Saga, portrayed by Junichi Okada, as he enters a high-stakes survival competition. He hopes to win the ¥100,000 prize to support his sick wife and child.

The new Netflix release, Last Samurai Standing, premiered on November 13, 2025, and has received perfect reviews, earning a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

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2025-11-19 15:46