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Season 1 – Song of the Samurai

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Song of the Samurai Mar 2026 Drama Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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Follows the Shinsengumi samurai corps during late-Edo period Kyoto, centered on former street brawler Toshizo Hijikata and his brotherhood with Kondo Isami and Okita Soji as loyalty, betrayal, and war test them.
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Song of the Samurai — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Rebecca Nicholson Financial Times May 12
4/5
Song of the Samurai leans towards the big and the bold, and is occasionally sentimental, particularly in its musical score, but in the long wait for a second season of Shōgun, this should fill the gap nicely. Go to Full Review Jeremy Looney Common Sense Media May 21
4/5
The series narrates multiple stories, which may feel complicated at times, but it all ties together eventually. Go to Full Review M.N. Miller FandomWire May 11
9/10
Song of the Samurai is staggering in its scope, breathtaking in its layered storytelling, and viscerally exhilarating, with awe-inspiring action sequences that cut deep, brutally, and often. Go to Full Review Kelcie Mattson Collider May 8
8/10
While an ideal match for Shōgun or Last Samurai Standing fans, it's easy to see how Song of the Samurai could fire off full speed ahead into a breathless epic capable of effortlessly standing on its own two feet. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nicholas L @RT00325655 4d Do you like action, Do you like beautifully constructed scenes, Do you like dialogue that will stick to your very soul? Then what are you waiting for sit down and watch this now. Many will compare this to Shogun or Last Samurai, but I will be a thorn in your side Tom Cruise. Their are no white knights in this tale of the last samurais, as all we have are "flowers and violence". Song of the Samurai touches on a core idea of why, why do anything when it ultimately will equate to a nill sum. Watch and discover what drives these men in the twilight of the feudal era Japan. See more Pericles L @pericles 6d Flawless and stunning See more Viet L @RT99270015 May 11 Where it lacks in story, it makes up in swordplay. If you are a fan of the live action Rurouni Kenshin series, you will feel right at home. Don't go into this thinking "Shogun/Last Samurai"....rather think of it more as a cross between Rurouni and Kingdom. Similar vibes and feels authentic. See more lei Q. @RT61807226 May 11 第一集已经追完 超燃的剧集 5星 必追完 See more kevin B @RT00938465 May 10 You can always tell when someone (website or critic) is being "incentivized" to promote a film or series. Just look at what they compare it to. Anyone comparing this to Shogun or The Last Samurai is either getting paid to, or just plain did not watch it. That is like comparing "Cowboys and Aliens" to "Dances With Wolves" because they both have Native Americans. So far, Song of the Samurai is not even trying to be anything like the other two. So why make the comparison? Unless you are trying to sell something, of course. All that being said, the pilot episode was fun with cool action and visuals. It just doesn't have a very strong story. It is entirely subtitled, but not in a way I enjoyed. My biggest problem with it is, thanks to a couple "critics" and some shady websites, I was going into it expecting an HBO version of Shogun. It is definitely NOT. See more Read all reviews
Song of the Samurai — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Yuki Yamada

Actor

Mamoru Inoue

Producer

Akira Morii

Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 26, 2026 Awakening Spirits, Rising Swords Toshizo Hijikata, who spends his days fighting in Edo during the late Tokugawa shogunate, encounters Isami Kondo and eventually meets comrades he can call family. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 27, 2026 Toshizo Hijikata and the Mibu Rōshi-gumi face a trial from Katamori Matsudaira as they seek to protect Kyoto's peace; Hijikata demonstrates his resolve through skilled swordplay. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 13, 2026 Light and Shadow Follows the Shinsengumi samurai corps during late-Edo period Kyoto, centered on former street brawler Toshizo Hijikata and his brotherhood with Kondo Isami and Okita Soji as loyalty, betrayal, and war test them. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 20, 2026 Path of Sacrifice Follows the Shinsengumi samurai corps during late-Edo period Kyoto, centered on former street brawler Toshizo Hijikata and his brotherhood with Kondo Isami and Okita Soji as loyalty, betrayal, and war test them. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 27, 2026 Demon's End, Rising Thunder Okita defeats Serizawa in a final showdown; as the age of swords ends, a new power, Shinsaku Takasugi, emerges before Hijikata and his brothers. Details

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Song of the Samurai — Season 1

Song of the Samurai View more photos

Season Info

Network
HBO Max
Genre
Drama, Action
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date
Mar 26, 2026