3
A Show John Wick Would Be Proud Of
Last Samurai Standing is pure, unrelenting entertainment. With high-end production values, breathtaking fight sequences, meticulously crafted sets, and performances of the highest caliber, not a single moment is wasted. Every character is layered and intriguing—some driven by hope, others trapped in the brutal machinery of cleanup, and still more consumed by greed, profiting from the suffering of others.
For me, this series feels like Alice in Borderland reimagined in Edo Japan. Across six episodes—the opening arc of a larger narrative—the story never shortchanges itself. It plunges into familiar yet resonant themes: exploitation, betrayal, disappointment, the bonds of family, redemption, and the fragile persistence of humanity. The backdrop is haunting: the twilight of the samurai era unfolding against the devastating outbreak of cholera.
At the heart of the tale is our hero, who takes in a teenage girl competing in the Koduku contest. She stirs memories of the daughter he lost, awakening his humanity and reshaping his path. Their bond is compelling, tender, and transformative. As his siblings emerge, painful family histories surface, yet it becomes clear that, like all families, they must eventually unite to confront the dilemma that binds them.
The mastermind behind the contest may be easy to identify, but that hardly diminishes their impact. The role is integral, and the actor delivers it with nuance and strength. Contestants range from relentless fighters to those guided by conscience, unwilling to cross certain moral lines. Meanwhile, the enforcers and cleanup crews execute their unforgiving duties with chilling precision—though some reveal flickers of empathy toward the doomed participants.
Many will enjoy Samurai. It is well written. It is relevant to today. It is thoughtful. There are some amazing cultural elements in various villages and towns on show too. The bloody scenes are relevant. Even though the fight scenes have super human endurance on display, as one other reviewer has mentioned: John Wick would be proud. This is a show the makers can feel proud of.
For me, this series feels like Alice in Borderland reimagined in Edo Japan. Across six episodes—the opening arc of a larger narrative—the story never shortchanges itself. It plunges into familiar yet resonant themes: exploitation, betrayal, disappointment, the bonds of family, redemption, and the fragile persistence of humanity. The backdrop is haunting: the twilight of the samurai era unfolding against the devastating outbreak of cholera.
At the heart of the tale is our hero, who takes in a teenage girl competing in the Koduku contest. She stirs memories of the daughter he lost, awakening his humanity and reshaping his path. Their bond is compelling, tender, and transformative. As his siblings emerge, painful family histories surface, yet it becomes clear that, like all families, they must eventually unite to confront the dilemma that binds them.
The mastermind behind the contest may be easy to identify, but that hardly diminishes their impact. The role is integral, and the actor delivers it with nuance and strength. Contestants range from relentless fighters to those guided by conscience, unwilling to cross certain moral lines. Meanwhile, the enforcers and cleanup crews execute their unforgiving duties with chilling precision—though some reveal flickers of empathy toward the doomed participants.
Many will enjoy Samurai. It is well written. It is relevant to today. It is thoughtful. There are some amazing cultural elements in various villages and towns on show too. The bloody scenes are relevant. Even though the fight scenes have super human endurance on display, as one other reviewer has mentioned: John Wick would be proud. This is a show the makers can feel proud of.
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