Man, Zatoichi is just going through it in this one. Must revisit this one in particular, because the story and themes were kinda making more anxious at a moment when I'm already quite anxious.

Man, Zatoichi is just going through it in this one. Must revisit this one in particular, because the story and themes were kinda making more anxious at a moment when I'm already quite anxious.

While Zatoichi struggles to begin a new future away from the yakuza, an important figure from his past re-emerges. Such is the setup for the third Zatoichi film, perhaps the first in the series to truly capture the spirit that would carry the rest of the movies in this long-running series, full of amazing swordplay, humor, and the always riveting performances of lead Shintaro Katsu. There are better movies in this series; funnier, more action-packed, with higher stakes, but this is the one where all the elements of the blind swordsman first came together, and, for the first time, in glorious color no less.

While Zatoichi struggles to begin a new future away from the yakuza, an important figure from his past re-emerges. Such is the setup for the third Zatoichi film, perhaps the first in the series to truly capture the spirit that would carry the rest of the movies in this long-running series, full of amazing swordplay, humor, and the always riveting performances of lead Shintaro Katsu. There are better movies in this series; funnier, more action-packed, with higher stakes, but this is the one where all the elements of the blind swordsman first came together, and, for the first time, in glorious color no less.

What really stands out about New Tale of Zatoichi in comparison to the previous two films is not the use of colour film, but rather the vulnerability that Zatoichi shows as a character as the film progresses. He feels a lot more central to the events, even if surrounding happenings may or may not be directly tied to him. Establishing ongoing bonds between Zatoichi and others around him gives the blind gambler more emotional weight, weirdly enough trading out a lot of the melodramatic stings for pieces that feel a lot more heartfelt

What really stands out about New Tale of Zatoichi in comparison to the previous two films is not the use of colour film, but rather the vulnerability that Zatoichi shows as a character as the film progresses. He feels a lot more central to the events, even if surrounding happenings may or may not be directly tied to him. Establishing ongoing bonds between Zatoichi and others around him gives the blind gambler more emotional weight, weirdly enough trading out a lot of the melodramatic stings for pieces that feel a lot more heartfelt

Although I find the action to not be as riveting, the storytelling is still fantastic. This definitely builds greatly upon the character of Ichi and Shintaro Katso is bringing his all into this role. With the series having gone under new director after new director, it still holds a solid foundation that I'm never bored with.

With the dawn of colour for this series, the cinematographer Chishi Makiura is able to use it to great affect, making every shot count and meaningful. Minoru Inuzuka also returns for the screenplay, and I can feel his writing chops in my bones that made me fall in love with the first movie.

Although I find the action to not be as riveting, the storytelling is still fantastic. This definitely builds greatly upon the character of Ichi and Shintaro Katso is bringing his all into this role. With the series having gone under new director after new director, it still holds a solid foundation that I'm never bored with.

With the dawn of colour for this series, the cinematographer Chishi Makiura is able to use it to great affect, making every shot count and meaningful. Minoru Inuzuka also returns for the screenplay, and I can feel his writing chops in my bones that made me fall in love with the first movie.

Although I find the action to not be as riveting, the storytelling is still fantastic. This definitely builds greatly upon the character of Ichi and Shintaro Katso is bringing his all into this role. With the series having gone under new director after new director, it still holds a solid foundation that I'm never bored with.

With the dawn of colour for this series, the cinematographer Chishi Makiura is able to use it to great affect, making every shot count and meaningful. Minoru Inuzuka also returns for the screenplay, and I can feel his writing chops in my bones that made me fall in love with the first movie.

Although I find the action to not be as riveting, the storytelling is still fantastic. This definitely builds greatly upon the character of Ichi and Shintaro Katso is bringing his all into this role. With the series having gone under new director after new director, it still holds a solid foundation that I'm never bored with.

With the dawn of colour for this series, the cinematographer Chishi Makiura is able to use it to great affect, making every shot count and meaningful. Minoru Inuzuka also returns for the screenplay, and I can feel his writing chops in my bones that made me fall in love with the first movie.