While You Wait For Shogun Season 2, Watch This Underrated Samurai Show On Prime Video

When on the lookout for a good samurai TV series to binge, the best place to look is Amazon Prime Video. That’s because it’s the current home of Lone Wolf and Cub, a Japanese-made show that streamed for two seasons.

When it comes to samurai action on TV, the TV show that typically comes to mind – at least in 2025 – is Shogun. It’s aired one ten-episode season, and is set to air another in 2026, followed by a third at a later date. The hit period piece from FX received critical acclaim, as evidenced by its impressive score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.

But it’s not the only great story set in feudal Japan that you can find on streaming. Another great option is Lone Wolf and Cub, which is available in its entirety on Prime Video.

Lone Wolf And Club Is A Great 2-Season Story About A Ronin And His Son

One of multiple adaptations of the Lone Wolf and Cub manga, the 2002 TV series follows the exploits of Itto Ogami and his son, Daigoro. Itto is introduced as a middle-aged ronin who wanders the countryside with his three-year-old son while also operating as an assassin for hire

Nearly every episode in the two-season series sees Itto handed a new assassination request. But in spite of the nature of these tasks, they typically wind up with Itto doing more good than harm, helping right a wrong or rid a community of a villain. These storylines are often balanced with something a bit more lighthearted in the form of a subplot for Daigoro.

Most of the episodes are standalone adventures, complete with new supporting characters, but there is an overarching plotline. Many of his assassination requests and battles throughout the series relate in some way to Retsudo, the evil leader of a ninja clan. Retsudo is responsible for the death of Itto’s wife and the loss of his position as a samurai and an executioner.

There are also several Lone Wolf and Cub movies, which can be streamed on HBO Max.

Now, Itto has devoted himself to the cause of revenge and killing evildoers for money. Having given up on any form of happiness for himself, Itto has chosen to walk what he calls the “Underworld Demon Path.” He often faces judgment from others, as many disapprove of his decision to share this hard life with his son.

Itto Ogami Is One Of The Best Samurai Heroes You’ll Ever Find On TV

Itto’s story in Lone Wolf and Cub easily creates one of the most memorable protagonists in samurai television. Kin’ya Kitaōji’s delivers a truly remarkable performance as Itto Ogami, with his various mannerisms, stoic facial expressions, strong posture, and quiet anger in dramatic scenes making it easy to believe that he could be a real samurai.

What’s more, Lone Wolf and Cub builds a fully realized interpretation of feudal Japan for its two main characters to inhabit, and weaves into its stories relevant themes such as revenge, justice, and honor, the latter of which having a massive influence on most of the show’s stories – just as one would expect from a samurai TV series.