The Best Martial Arts Series on Netflix

November 17, 2025

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It doesn’t get much better in the world of martial arts TV than Netflix’s Last Samurai Standing. Of course, this streaming platform has an extensive list of great offerings within this genre. Netflix has become known for its international projects, which means more opportunities for unique ideas, excellent and diverse casts, and the best fight choreography the TV world has to offer.

The most recent addition, in this regard, is Last Samurai Standing, which hit Netflix on November 13, 2025. The martial arts historical drama series comes from creator Michihito Fujii and is based on the manga series of the same name by Shogo Imamura. It’s intense drama, bloody action, absolutely outstanding sword-play choreography, and it’s easily the best series of its kind currently streaming.

Last Samurai Standing Is The Best Action Show Streaming Right Now

Shujiro protecting Fatuba in a field of swords in the poster for Last Samurai Standing

Last Samurai Standing stands out, first and foremost, for its uniquely thrilling premise. The series follows Shujiro Saga (Junishi Okada), who participates in a competition in which 292 warriors must fight to the death. The winner of this deadly event will win a ¥100,000 prize, which Shujiro needs to save his sick wife and child.

Okada himself is a fight choreographer, so it’s no surprise that the intensely fast and brutal fighting in Last Samurai Standing is impressive to behold. It easily surpasses the typical combat in action TV shows, even within the martial arts genre.

Netflix’s other martial arts action series currently streaming include Wu Assassins and House of Ninjas, both of which have performed well with critics. However, Last Samurai Standing is less campy than its predecessors. The combat is more believable, adding significantly to the intensity. This has earned the series a perfect, 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a just-as-impressive 97% score from general audiences.

At the time of writing, Last Samurai Standing has seven critic reviews. The 100% score may come down as more are added.

Last Samurai Standing Could Be Netflix’s Next Big Thing

Shujiro holding his sword in front of him in Last Samurai Standing

Last Samurai Standing has the potential to be Netflix’s next top martial arts series. It currently sits at the #3 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 TV shows, and that’s after only a week on the streaming platform.

The central concept, placing a desperate protagonist at the center of a bloody centest, is similar enough to Squid Game to make Last Samurai Standing an adequate replacement. Of course, Squid Game wasn’t an action series, and Last Samurai Standing‘s 19th-century Meiji-era setting makes it unique enough to differentiate itself from this past Netflix hit.

Of course, only time will tell if Last Samurai Standing solidifies itself as Netflix’s crowning jewel in the martial arts genre. It certainly is off to a great start. Regardless, this series is entirely worth the binge.