The Samurai
Series Overview
The Samurai is a Japanese historical fiction television series made by Senkosha Productions during the early 1960s. Its original Japanese title was Onmitsu Kenshi. The series premiered in 1962 on TBS and ran continuously until 1965 for ten self-contained story arcs, usually of 13 episodes each. Also created were two black-and-white feature films by Toei Company, made in 1964 by the same crew which has created the TV series, and a stage show. The Samurai proved to be highly successful despite its initially very limited budget. It was the first Japanese TV program ever screened in Australia, where it premiered in 1964 and built up a remarkably large fan-base among the local young audience at the time, rapidly becoming a cult favourite. Despite its massive popularity in Australia as well as success in Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines, the series was not widely screened elsewhere and its fame remains largely restricted to those countries.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
10 Seasons • 128 Episodes
24 min per episode
1962 – 1987
Premiered: Sun, Oct 7, 1962
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 1: “OVA”
Shintarō saves a young Ainu wrongly accused of murder, relying on his wits and his pistol.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
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Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Samurai.
More Series Like The Samurai
Shows sharing similar genres, audiences, and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Samurai
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Samurai about?
The Samurai is a Japanese historical fiction television series made by Senkosha Productions during the early 1960s. Its original Japanese title was Onmitsu Kenshi. The series premiered in 1962 on TBS and ran continuously until 1965 for ten self-contained story arcs, usually of 13 episodes each. Also created were two black-and-white feature films by Toei Company, made in 1964 by the same crew which has created the TV series, and a stage show. The Samurai proved to be highly successful despite its initially very limited budget. It was the first Japanese TV program ever screened in Australia, where it premiered in 1964 and built up a remarkably large fan-base among the local young audience at the time, rapidly becoming a cult favourite. Despite its massive popularity in Australia as well as success in Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines, the series was not widely screened elsewhere and its fame remains largely restricted to those countries.
How many seasons does The Samurai have?
The Samurai comprises 10 seasons available to explore.
Who stars in The Samurai?
Key cast members in The Samurai include Shintaro Akikusa, Koichi Ose.
Who created or directed The Samurai?
The Samurai was developed and directed by Not specified.