Scripted

TV Asahi Corporation has announced that Shadows of the Ten Ninja (Japanese title: Sanada Juyushi), its most ambitious original production to date, will stream globally on Netflix. Shot entirely on location in Kyoto, the epic ninja action-adventure series combines large-scale production with AI, VFX and CG technology to deliver a visually ambitious take on one of Japan’s most iconic forms of storytelling. The series will premiere in Japan in October 2026, with episodes also available to audiences worldwide on Netflix.
The project arrives as Japanese period drama continues to gain international momentum following the global success of Shogun, which made history with major wins at the Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. Building on this growing international interest, TV Asahi has invested unprecedented resources in Shadows of the Ten Ninja, including a full-scale shoot in Kyoto and a next-generation visual production approach combining traditional action filmmaking with AI, VFX and CG.

A Legendary Story of Rebellion
Set in Japan 14 years after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the series follows ten legendary ninja warriors who join forces with real-life samurai general Sanada Yukimura in an uprising against Tokugawa Ieyasu, the all-powerful ruler of Japan. At the heart of the story is Sasuke Sarutobi, a lone-wolf ninja known for his extraordinary physical abilities. Having never fought for anyone but himself, Sasuke's outlook changes when he encounters true companions and begins to grow alongside them while searching for a cause worth risking everything for. Hikaru Iwamoto, a member of Snow Man, one of Japan’s most popular idol groups, takes on the role of Sasuke

TV Asahi General Producer Ikuhide Yokochi said: "Shadows of the Ten Ninja is TV Asahi's flagship title for Japanese ninja entertainment. We've taken a beloved, traditional story rooted in Japanese history and reshaped it for today's audiences, bringing in the latest in action filmmaking. At its core is a story about standing up to overwhelming power: Sanada Yukimura, a brilliant tactician, and his ten warrior companions rise up against Tokugawa Ieyasu, a man who held even greater power than the shogun himself. Shot on a large scale in Kyoto — a city that still preserves the streets of old Japan — with a compelling cast, the series pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling with AI and VFX technology, blending real sword-fighting performed by Hikaru Iwamoto and his fellow cast members with cutting-edge digital techniques to create a viewing experience unlike anything seen before. This series brings together TV Asahi's spirit of innovation, the tradition of Japanese period drama, and the latest in visual technology — ninja entertainment made for the world. We hope you'll enjoy it."

Netflix Director of Content Rie Sawaoka added: "Shadows of the Ten Ninja delivers powerful action alongside a story world that draws viewers in deeply. Netflix has distributed TV Asahi titles to audiences around the world before, but with this series we're going further, producing subtitles in multiple languages along with English and Spanish dubbed versions, and releasing it globally. We're delighted to bring this title to our members in more than 190 countries and regions."