Last Samurai Standing: Episode 4 Recap
It’s often the one you least expect, isn’t it? If you think about it, he might just be the “father of modern Japanese policing.” The most obvious choice for the “anti-samurai mastermind.” Throughout the season, we’ve noticed the clear disdain many in the new regime have for the previous samurai era. After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, what were once honorable warriors were soon replaced by police officers flaunting Western attire and weaponry. With so many chances to learn in society, it seems like these new figures often revel in kicking others when they’re down.
More critically, we listened carefully to this new administration, even from those who seem decent, like Lord Okubo, the Minister of Home Affairs. For quite some time, he and his aides viewed bizarre incidents along the Tokaido road with suspicion—believing that samurai figures posed a threat to the government. There’s this underlying fear, and even the so-called “good” officers might be tempted to take extreme measures against them.
Toshiyoshi Kawaji, however, doesn’t initially come across as a standout character in this narrative. Amidst roles with names like “murderer” and “barbaric slasher,” this small, gruff policeman with a mustache receives mixed reactions—he’s not the obvious villain to everyone.
Interestingly, if you look at Kawaji’s history, it paints a different picture. A former samurai himself, he was also a general with a strong grasp of international tactics and the founder of Kendo. The notion that he might be Doctor Doom, plotting with wealthy elites to dismantle the remnants of old Japan, seems a bit less far-fetched now, don’t you think? Actor Gaku Hamada holds this character’s depth under wraps, so to speak. If Kawaji is truly formidable, it’s usually not apparent until he wants it to be.
This big revelation is entertaining, especially since our heroes are struggling to navigate their way up the hierarchy to uncover the individual orchestrating the ruthless game known as Kodoku. While enjoying coffee in an upscale seaside café adorned in blue waves, Shujiro, Fuhata, and Iroha discuss their strategy, all while observing other competitors in the room. They agree on Kyojin’s risky plan to capture a participant and deliver them to the police, hoping to see if the Kodoku organization will risk crossing law enforcement to eliminate a player who opts out.
Yet, our strategists perhaps didn’t anticipate that two or three other contestants in the café would fight back, striking down the quartet before they could set their plan in motion. It’s a bit of chaotic fun, as Shujiro, Iroha, and the Titans take on a multitude of henchmen, making their escape feel both effortless and exhilarating.
Once they’ve taken down their enemies, Kyojin hands over the captured criminal to the police, but he also claims the man’s signature bowler hat and suit. He comes face-to-face with the hostage’s partner, Shinnosuke Samaya, who—like Fubata—is no martial artist. He entered the contest hoping to support his family. Yet, the grim reality is that he never expected it to spiral into a brutal “game of killing.” It’s a bit refreshing to see an unexpected hero emerge.
After dealing with the fray at the restaurant, the group splits up. Kyojin makes his way into the police station, only to find that Kodoku operatives have already executed the prisoners they had delivered, showcasing their willingness to sidestep law enforcement altogether. Meanwhile, Shujiro fakes his own death to infiltrate the Kodoku morgue, which turns out to be a branch of Mitsui Bank—a major funder behind this deadly game.
However, things take a turn when he confronts Sakura, the game’s chief enforcer. They were once companions in battle, and Shujiro thought Sakura perished. Whatever bond they had seems to have evaporated, and Sakura is more than ready to exact revenge on Shujiro for his earlier transgressions against the game’s leaders.
The episode features an impressive showdown between Kamui Kocha, a master marksman, and Bukotsu, an indomitable force. It’s like watching a D&D game where Bukotsu manages to avoid serious damage again and again, thanks to a streak of luck, as arrows seem to just barely miss him.
A sudden intervention by Sakura and other riflemen disrupts the fight, highlighting that both competitors are focused on escaping rather than engaging. There’s not much point in arresting them if they can just bolt.
What stands out is Bukotsu’s interest in capturing Shujiro and Fubata, while Gentosai, an imposing monk, is also keen to capture Iroha and Shujiro. Iroha has been secretly in league with her former student Sansuke, desperately trying to uplift herself from a life as a traveling entertainer. He’s now a rickshaw driver, hoping the martial arts tournament will lead them to a better life. He believes that only by joining forces can they take down Kodoku, which is the hidden agenda Iroha has set for Shujiro.
Despite the intriguing plot twists, what really makes this show shine is its filmmaking and action. Director Kento Yamaguchi’s immersive camerawork makes you feel like you’re right in the mix during the brawls, often shot in a seamless manner that adds an extra layer of excitement. The glint of crossed swords between Sakura and Shujiro breaks through the otherwise thoughtful tones of the episode, giving it a vibrant quality that stands out. Last Samurai Standing holds its own unique visual style, even as epic clashes unfold.
