A historical Battle Royale with samurai in late 19th century Japan?

The above described setting is what drew me in to this manga, whilst at the same time I hoped there would be no revival of Battle Royale/Hunger Games type of books this year and the next now that both Suzanne Collins and Koushun Takami have decided to release a prequel & a sequel to their popular books respectively. We already had an explosion of copycats years ago, and it wasn't positive as it didn't lead to producing quality imitations.

This first volume of Last Samurai Standing didn't quite leave me confident it'll be a quality iteration of the deadly games trope. It's too . . . forgettably conventional.

And it shouldn't be, by rights. It has an interesting plot premise and a good beginning, when some mysterious entity (person?) posts public announcements all over Japan calling for participants in an illegal duel to the death in order to win a shocking prize of 100,000 gold yen. An absurdly large fortune, so everyone suspects there must be a catch. And a catch there is, indeed, as there seems to be some sort of shadowy scheming by the pro-Shogun faction that are behind this game the authorities try to suppress but are unable to prevent masterless swordsmen from flocking to it.

That's how this grabs your attention, making you wonder what will happen and who is truly behind this ridiculous competition, and for what purposes. You see a variety of ronin and samurai assembling at the meeting point, you see the "gamesmaster" pompously lay out the rules, the seven assembly places they all must go through to earn points, how points are earned, and the final destination to collect the prize. And then you start realising this is all so familiar, this is all something you've seen before, only the historical setting is different but even here you have a military dictatorship (the Shogunate) as the likely mastermind of the cruel game. Even the protagonist and his maiden-in-distress girl are something you've seen before. It's all a known quantity, a predictable plot.

So you lose interest quickly. What could this possibly offer that is unique? The story simply lacks something to set it apart, to make it memorable, and to stand out amongst other "battle royale" stories. The Shinsengumi and the waning days of the Shogunate aren't enough by themselves, you need a stronger plot, and characters with more to offer than "good-hearted samurai protects helpless girl." Maybe it will be better in future volumes, because this first one has the downside of all first volumes: it's a set up piece. But even as a set-up piece, it's still lacking in something to make readers think it's worth their while to invest in this story. There's already other, better manga set in this period and with these same groups of samurai in danger of losing their way of life as the Shogunate is dying, without the need for a pseudo-dystopian game (which in this manga is surprisingly tame, because I thought it would be bloodier and more gory than it turned out to be.)

I had fun reading the first volume! It kicks of fast, giving us a glimpse of the main character, Shujiro Saga, before jumping straight into the action. 292 samurais enter the temple where the battle royale takes place, but less than half leave the gates and race towards Tokyo in hopes of willing a 100 billion yen prize. While the quick pace keeps things exciting and introduces a wide range of characters, I do wish we could’ve gotten to know the characters a little more as I’m not yet invested in any of them.

Nevertheless, the first volume may be focusing more on the high-stake game itself, and future volumes will dive deeper into the characters and the reluctant alliances forged, which would be interesting! Also, interesting is the time period the story is set in! Its such a fascinating (and difficult) time to explore, so I’m always on the look out to see how an author tackles the social and political elements, particularly in relation to the individual characters.

Overall, those who are looking for an action-packed story, with minimal bloody/graphic art, a protagonist with a dark past striving to save a loved one, and has similar vibes to Golden Kamuy, may enjoy this!

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha for providing me with an e-ARC of this manga.

this was a fun start to a new series. I was a bit thrown off by one of the characters using a gun as I don’t feel like it fits the vibe of the story. am excited for volume 2

Shujiro Saga joined the crowd in Kyoto for the chance to win 100,000 yen. But he did not know that it would be a running battle to the death with the last participant standing getting the cash. Shujiro journeyed with Futaba Katsuki, a samurai's daughter, Koemon Tachikawa, a former samurai, and occasionally Kyojin who might be a ninja. Now all they need to do is survive the trip with out betrayals! It will be interesting to see how the trip works out in the next volume!

Thanks Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the chance to read this title!

This book was alright. I found the story a bit hard to follow, and the characters were just ok. Not really interested in how it's going to go, so I think I'll stop here. Many people will like this one, tho, it's just not my thing.

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve become an avid manga reader so I had no grab the opportunity to dip my toes in a new-to-me series. This story features some of my favorite tropes including a battle royal type of contest with a serious MMC with a dash of unrequited teammates. I had to pick it up eventually. But full disclosure, I’ve never heard about Shogo Imamura’s novel series.

Even though the art style wasn’t my favorite, it was quite unique for the story, making it stand out among similar characters and stories.
We get the plot going pretty quickly, but we still don’t have the full picture, making it another mystery to uncover as our characters race to Tokyo while fighting other participants in this battle royale.

I’d say it’s graphic but not overly gory, in case you were wondering. Most deaths consist of sword/katana slashing, so be ware if that makes you uncomfortable. But that’s given in this sort of plot.

I can’t say this is a new favorite series of mine but I’m curious how the relationships and fights will develop. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes shonen or action packed books.

Last Samurai Standing 1 set us up for the series beautifully, whilst introducing us to the central character, a bit of his back story and his drive to participate in a brutal challenge, the kind of challenge he would not have signed up for if it hadn't been a trap for all participants. The first book is just enough to make you want to continue with the serious with its intriguing plot and adequate character development. The artwork is incredible and the visual storytelling helps to fill in the blanks that the prose does not, marrying very nicely. The protagonist has a complex emotional drive as which is slowly unpicked during the narrative and I'm really keen to see how he develops further.
I need more, and I'm looking forward to book 2.

Whether you're looking forward to Last Samurai Standing already or just heard the hype, there's no denying it's pretty big. And if you want to get ahead of the curve, you're in luck! Tomorrow, Kodansha is releasing the first volume of the manga, based (like the Netflix series) on Shogo Imamura's novel Ikusagami. Now, you don't have to wait to get immersed in this stunning series. Death games, intense battles, and unlikely alliances await.

Join us as we dive into the first volume, getting to know the competitor at the center of this deadly battle.


A Dangerous Game

Last Samurai Standing takes place during the Meiji Restoration and starts with a strange offer: take home 100,000 yen in gold, provided you're a sufficiently able warrior. The offer is listed anonymously, with only an address to report to and a date to report there. But 292 warriors show up, among them our hero, Shujiro Saga. Once the rules of the competition are revealed, it almost starts to seem more dangerous than it's worth.

The competitors have one month to make it from Kyoto to Tokyo. Each competitor also carries a numbered wooden tag. There are seven checkpoints along the way, which require points to traverse. Wooden tags equal points. And provided you don't harm the people running the game or tell anyone about it, anything goes when it comes to getting those tags. It's a battle royale... but why?




Unlikely Allies

While Last Samurai Standing may start with nearly 300 competitors, it doesn't stay that way for long. This battle royale kills off more than a hundred of its warriors before they even leave the courtyard. Fortunately, Shujiro makes an unlikely friend in a girl named Futaba, whose daughter taught her the way of the sword.

The first volume is mostly about setting up the scenario, but the handful of characters we meet (the ones that survive, at least) are already interesting. There's more to Shujiro than meets the eye, for one: he's married with a child, and his wife sounds amazing. He'd also hoped to leave killing behind. But 100,000 yen in gold is nothing to sneeze at. While we'll certainly get to meet a lot of interesting characters, from ninja to samurai, it's Shujiro we're most excited to learn more about.




The Journey Ahead

Artist TATSUZ does an amazing job bringing the drama, action, and gore of Last Samurai Standing to the manga page. The fights are brutal, and this adaptation pulls no punches. You'll see a man beheaded in the first chapter. But just as there are intense battle scenes, there are also moments of beauty and sweetness. The best samurai adventures center humanity amidst brutality, and this one looks like it will be no different.

There's a lot to enjoy in this story, no matter what kind of narrative you prefer. If you like samurai action... well, this is obviously for you. But fans of battle royale and death games will enjoy following this particular challenge to its end. And if you like a human story, keep your eyes on Shujiro — there's a lot of story, and a lot of history, to be revealed.

This story follows a samurai caught in a game in order to win a great amount of money but it was no ordinary game — ”The last man standing” type of game where each participant need to collect badges which are mainly captured by taking from other participants, or rather, killing them one by one. The first volume focuses on the game itself, and we get introduced to a broad variety of characters and backgrounds which is refreshing.

If you like ’Hells Paradise’, like me, then I think you will very much like this manga. I am very excited for-, and interested in, the next volume!

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha for providing me with an ARC of ’Last Samurai Standing’!

In Restoration Japan Samurai are relics of the past, even the great Shinsengumi are gone and while many Samurai have found jobs within the new government, not all have. With Cholera on the rise and prices skyrocketing many former Samurai are willing to do anything to secure food and medicine for their families even join a race to the death that will leave one Samurai a very rich man.

This was a meh for me. To be fair the premise is interesting some group rounds up a bunch of desperate Samurai and/or just straight up murderers to murder each other in a race to I believe Edo but outside of that there's nothing, at least in this really innovative volume. Kokushu Saga the MC is very much your typical character found in these post Restoration/Post Shinsengumi stories; he's super OP, he never wants to kill again, and he was most likely a member of the Shinsengumi. He was just a very interchangeable character, you could have switched him out with/ any other from this little niche. That being said this is volume 1 so I do have hope that he'll get more interesting.

I am super interested in finding out what the heck this race to the death is all about. It's not necessarily unique but I also don't feel like whoever organized it is looking to like get a new group of Shinsengumi together, even though that is implied. So I'll definitely be checking out vol 2.


As always thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eArc!

I do love a story set in the Meiji period.

The story starts strong, in the Meiji Era in Japan where the Emperor has been restored to power and the Shoguns, and their supporting samurai have been banned. A challenge is set for former Samurai, starting in Kyoto, it's a battel royale to make it to Edo, killing your competition is required to make it past check points.

The art style suits the story, it's gritty, has a lot of action and violence. I don't often enjoy battle royale style stories, to this was not for me, but if you are looking for something a bit John Wick style, but with illegal samurais, then this might very much work for you.

An exciting manga with 5-star art.
Set in 1800s, Japan, this is a battle story.
292 warriors show their skills. Shujiro, Okada and Futaba were interesting characters.
I have not seen the TV show, but I will follow these manga series.
I believe it will get more exciting in the next one.
3.5 stars

Last Samurai Standing Volume 1 plunges readers into a brutal, fast-paced death game set in 1878 Japan, a decade after the samurai class's decline. A mysterious flyer draws 292 skilled martial artists to Kyoto with the promise of immense wealth, including the samurai Okada, who seeks to save his ill family. These warriors are thrown into a ruthless battle royale, where the goal is to reach Tokyo by defeating opponents and collecting wooden tags. The volume excels in its immediate, violent action, delivering plenty of "fun" and nasty deaths right from the start.

However, the rapid pace means the characters aren't yet fully fleshed out, leading to some occasionally odd tonal shifts in this otherwise straightforward battle royale. While historically intriguing, the first volume feels more like an exciting setup than a deeply memorable experience. Ultimately, Last Samurai Standing Volume 1 provides a quick, bloody, and engaging read, earning it a 3 out of 5 for its promising premise and relentless action.

Last Samurai Standing is action heavy and unrelenting, with a cast of characters intended to ground the violent narrative. This is a somewhat promising start to this series, though not everything works for me. Common archetypes are established early on, but certain characters are one dimensional and fit too comfortably within archetypes (the damsel in distress being the most frustrating). While everything does not work for me, overall the art is solid and the storytelling is engaging. I am not sure if I would pick up the second volume, but there is enough in this introduction that I may.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this story.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this manga.

It was a pretty alright read, sorta the same as other shounen reads but the Shinobi character seems to be the only interesting character out of them all. Ive no doubt this will become an anime in the near future as I say the fighting scenes would be epic! However I wouldn’t consider it the best though….

Last Samurai Standing is historical seinen and a battle royale type of setting. The year is 1878 and Meiji era. Samurais have been stripped of their privileges and they cannot carry swords in public anymore. Now someone is paying the warriors to come and fight - one another in reality and only one can win an enormous amount of money of course. You need to gather tags and everyone has one, alas you kill others to get their tags. The setting is interesting and of course many are killed already at the beginning, but we also see better fighters. Our main character has history of course and he decides to help this girl and together their begin their journey. Hopefully there will be moral lessons and such.

The art looks OK. The manga isn't as bloody as I thought it would be. The goodness of the main character's heart can be a refreshing thing, if it doesn't become a blind spot for him (aka stupidity). The girl seems like a damsel in distress, which is annoying and she needs to have a personality and fight. I'd love to see some "Last of Us" spirit in this one. Last Samurai Standing seems to be an OK series and it all depends where this will eventually go.

- gave Hell's Paradise/Squid Games/Hunter Hunter (licensing exam arch) vibes
- character and world building is good. We get an understanding of the world and throughout volume one get bits of character information both past and present.
- like the art, as it felt fighting
- Shujiro has a dark past, but it sorta hints at his actions were justified to some extent.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses in volume 2.

A notice is posted for those of exceptional martial accomplishments to all meet on a specific date and location. Those who show up and agree to the rules have an opportunity to claim 100,000 yen in gold.
Shujiro is one of the individuals who goes and discovers it's a battle Royale and race to Tokyo. They have to clear checkpoints but in order to do so they need a certain amount of points. Where do these points come from? Each person has a tag worth a point and they need to collect these tags.
Shujiro starts out helping a young girl, knowing full well this will look like a weakness. During the first night, we learn more about many of the characters and some of Shujiro's past is resurfaced. How will this play out for Shujiro moving forward?

Last Samurai Standing is an action packed manga that doesn’t hold back. It did give me Battle Royale vibes as well which is one of my favourite manga but with Samurai’s instead of students. There is a nice subplot running through the action and fighting as well that I think will make for an interesting and enjoyable read throughout the series. A must read for fans of samurai manga and stories.
As always thank you to Kodansha Comics for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.
#LastSamuraiStannding #ShogoImamura #Netgalley #KodanshaComics #ARC #ARCReview #BookReview #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted

This Samurai battle royale manga is a fun action packed read, set in 1800s Japan during the decline of the samurai. Volume 1 sets the stage and introduces the rules of the competition, with over 200 samurai competing to make it to Tokyo in a month, collecting points by taking lives from the other contestants along the way. This is a good read for fans of action series like Rurouni Kenshin, or Steel Ball Run.

Last Samurai Standing 1 is a story that builds strongly around action and swords, the characters stand out for their build, motivations and design.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this advanced reader's copy.