Netflix takes worldwide rights to Japanese drama Shadows of the Ten Ninja

Shadows of the Ten Ninja

Netflix has picked up the worldwide rights to Shadows of the Ten Ninja, a Japanese period drama from Tokyo-based network TV Asahi Corporation.

The Kyoto-shot project, which TV Asahi described as its “largest-ever original production built for the world stage,” follows a band of 10 legendary ninja warriors who unite behind the real-life samurai general Sanada Yukimura to stage a rebellion in the aftermath of the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara.

Set in the early 1600s, the story centres on a lone-wolf ninja with extraordinary athletic ability, played by Japanese singer, model and actor Hikaru Iwamoto.

The project will premiere on TV Asahi in Japan and Netflix globally next month.

The Japanese network said it committed “unprecedented resources” to the series, calling 2026 a “defining moment for Japanese period drama” in the wake of the global success of FX drama Shogun.

“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,” said TV Asahi’s general producer Ikuhide Yokochi, adding that the show “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.”

Netflix’s director of content in Japan, 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.”