A new trend of captivating samurai dramas is emerging globally, continuing the legacy of Akira Kurosawa, Masaki Kobayashi, and Hideo Gosha. While the American-made feudal Japanese story Shogun played a role in 2024, Japan has reclaimed its prominence, especially towards the end of 2025 with Netflix’s Last Samurai Standing, but now a new competitor arises.
As recently reported by Variety, HBO Max has secured the streaming rights to Song of the Samurai, a live-action adaptation of Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem. The manga, which was published in Monthly Comic Zenon from 2010 to 2023 alongside creator Shinya Umemura’s popular tournament series Record of Ragnarok, will see its live-action adaptation premiere on May 9, 2026.
Song of the Samurai Arrives on HBO Max on May 9
With Song of the Samurai adapting Shinya Umemura’s Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem, HBO Max now possesses a potential blockbuster based on the creator’s work. This indicates that the platform is ready to attract viewers looking for fresh content while they await season 2 of Last Samurai Standing, and it promises a more grounded production compared to Netflix’s Record of Ragnarok.
The source material for Song of the Samurai has previously been adapted for stage performances, audio dramas, and anime, with the original manga selling 3 million copies. As showcased in Record of Ragnarok‘s Round 10, where Chiruran’s portrayal of Sōji Okita, captain of the Shinsengumi, faced off against the Sword God, Umemura has a well-documented passion for samurai action.
“With a growing appetite for this genre, we hope fans enjoy this captivating new samurai story – rooted deep in Japanese culture, with passionate action and a charismatic ensemble cast.”
-James Gibbons, Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific President
The success of this genre is evident, particularly with recent hits like Last Samurai Standing. Set during Japan’s Bakumatsu period, Song of the Samurai will tell the story of an elderly Shinpachi Nagakura reflecting on his experiences during this tumultuous time alongside Toshizo Hijitaka in the Shinsengumi, which served as the shogunate-sanctioned police force.
Live-Action Manga Adaptations Are Gaining Momentum
The excitement surrounding Japanese live-action drama adaptations is growing significantly, largely due to Warner Bros. Discovery’s partnership with Japanese TV network TBS, U-Next streaming service, and The Seven. In addition to English adaptations of global best-sellers like One Piece and ongoing discussions about a potential Naruto movie, manga adaptations are thriving.
This enthusiasm persists despite skepticism in the West regarding numerous lackluster live-action adaptations of iconic series such as Dragonball Evolution or 2017’s Death Note. However, live-action anime and manga adaptations outside Japan have consistently performed well in their home market, particularly titles like Kingdom, Golden Kamuy, and Cells at Work!.
Toshizo Hijitaka will be portrayed by Yuki Yamada, with other members of the Shinsengumi like Isami Kondo and Sōji Okita also appearing. While full casting details remain unconfirmed, Go Ayano and Kento Nakajima are set to star in this production. Kazutaka Watanabe (Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan) will direct, while Masaaki Sakai (Monkey) has penned the scripts.
