TV Asahi’s new historical action-adventure series Shadows of the Ten Ninja will stream globally on Netflix following its Japanese premiere in October 2026.
Starring Snow Man member Hikaru Iwamoto as legendary ninja Sasuke Sarutobi, the series is TV Asahi’s most ambitious original production to date and was filmed entirely on location in Kyoto.
The series combines large-scale location shooting with AI, VFX and CG technology, offering a new take on Japan’s iconic ninja mythology. Its global release comes as Japanese period dramas continue to gain international attention following the success of Shōgun.
What Is Shadows of the Ten Ninja About?
Set 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 to rebel against Tokugawa Ieyasu.
At the center is Sasuke Sarutobi, a highly skilled lone-wolf ninja who has never fought for anyone but himself. After meeting a group of companions, he begins searching for a cause worth risking everything for.
Who Stars in Shadows of the Ten Ninja?
Hikaru Iwamoto of Snow Man leads the cast as Sasuke Sarutobi. Known for his physical prowess on SASUKE (Ninja Warrior), Iwamoto brings his real-life athleticism to a character defined by acrobatics and unconventional combat.
When Does Shadows of the Ten Ninja Premiere?
Shadows of the Ten Ninja will premiere in Japan in October 2026 and will be available globally on Netflix. The series marks TV Asahi’s biggest original production yet and its major push to bring a Japanese ninja story to audiences worldwide.
TV Asahi’s 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’s Director of Content Rie Sawaoka said:
“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.”
