1966·Drama·1h 22m
7.1
★
Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss.
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro
samurai
sequel
zatoichi
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Shintarō Katsu
Zatoichi
Michiyo Yasuda
Okichi
Kunie Tanaka
Storyteller
Hisashi Igawa
Eigoro
Masao Mishima
Nanashino Gonbei
Jōtarō Senba
Bokasuri
Ryūtarō Gomi
Jyonenbo
Isao Yamagata
Boss Tohachi
Saburo Date
Kagimatsu
Yukio Horikita
Jun Katsumura
Tohachi yakuza
Manabu Morita
Takuji
Crew
Kazuo Ikehiro
Director
Kaneto Shindō
Screenplay
Yoshinobu Nishioka
Production Design
Kan Shimozawa
Original Story
Popular Reviews
7 reviews
Gabriel Silva
9.2★ · 01/29/25
The Zatoichi series continues to find ways to flesh out their titular character and have him grapple with the difficulties of the life he has chosen to live. This time, Zatoichi ends up in Serigzawa after visiting the 88 Temples to make an attempt to atone for his bloody past. His new lease on life doesn’t last long as he is soon accosted by a man he had never met before. This is what makes this era of the films so interesting. It’s so much more introspective on the part of Zatoichi to where the fights don’t need to be as flashy in order to have the film stand out. The choice of villain this time around is so great as well. They’re portrayed more as a low-class brute rather than the same high-caliber yakuza and government magistrates we have seen before. They’re not a fellow drifter, either. They’re a land-hungry horse trader. That’s it. They’re boarish and brutish and all around unpleasant. It stands as a nice contrast for once and a great foil for Zatoichi. His relationship with Okichi is so good too. Women in the Zatoichi films are usually there to show Zatoichi what kind of life he is missing by being so dedicated to the sword. Okichi isn’t all too different, but she is specifically someone who sees Zatoichi as the kind person he refuses to see himself as. With this happening so soon after Zatoichi kills someone after atoning for his sins, this is huge
The Zatoichi series continues to find ways to flesh out their titular character and have him grapple with the difficulties of the life he has chosen to live. This time, Zatoichi ends up in Serigzawa after visiting the 88 Temples to make an attempt to atone for his bloody past. His new lease on life doesn’t last long as he is soon accosted by a man he had never met before. This is what makes this era of the films so interesting. It’s so much more introspective on the part of Zatoichi to where the fights don’t need to be as flashy in order to have the film stand out. The choice of villain this time around is so great as well. They’re portrayed more as a low-class brute rather than the same high-caliber yakuza and government magistrates we have seen before. They’re not a fellow drifter, either. They’re a land-hungry horse trader. That’s it. They’re boarish and brutish and all around unpleasant. It stands as a nice contrast for once and a great foil for Zatoichi. His relationship with Okichi is so good too. Women in the Zatoichi films are usually there to show Zatoichi what kind of life he is missing by being so dedicated to the sword. Okichi isn’t all too different, but she is specifically someone who sees Zatoichi as the kind person he refuses to see himself as. With this happening so soon after Zatoichi kills someone after atoning for his sins, this is huge
Eclectic Sorcerer
8.0★ · 06/10/24
Another strong entry with great action, strong characters, great cinematography and score and superb direction. I love how even when Zatoichi is trying to atone for his sins of killing, he is forced to kill because of his predicaments. This overall challenge to the character is very interesting and I can't get enough of it.
Another strong entry with great action, strong characters, great cinematography and score and superb direction. I love how even when Zatoichi is trying to atone for his sins of killing, he is forced to kill because of his predicaments. This overall challenge to the character is very interesting and I can't get enough of it.
Eclectic Sorcerer
8.0★ · 06/10/24
Another strong entry with great action, strong characters, great cinematography and score and superb direction. I love how even when Zatoichi is trying to atone for his sins of killing, he is forced to kill because of his predicaments. This overall challenge to the character is very interesting and I can't get enough of it.
Another strong entry with great action, strong characters, great cinematography and score and superb direction. I love how even when Zatoichi is trying to atone for his sins of killing, he is forced to kill because of his predicaments. This overall challenge to the character is very interesting and I can't get enough of it.
alex glifford
8.0★ · 04/25/24
Thank GOD
It took them a 10 movie break and some deep introspective work to figure out how to make an actual compelling romance and I’m pleased to report is worked
Its far from perfect, but it doesn’t need to be really
They had chemistry and we actually saw their relationship grow and it was sweet and interesting but we all knew it couldn’t go anywhere bc Ichi sold his soul essentially for that quick draw ability
On top of that a really charismatic cast, great action and actually funny moments
An all round great chapter
Cherry on top for me has to be seeing my favourite chanbara goofy old dude making a grand return
Istg the 50s and 60s Japan only had like 7 silly old guys so they just put them in rotation for those small parts that just make the film so much funnier and full
They have that perfect face and 2 of my favs popped up here
One from The Sword Of Doom opening and the other the chairman guy from Revenge and just seeing them all jolly for like a scene is just the best
It took them a 10 movie break and some deep introspective work to figure out how to make an actual compelling romance and I’m pleased to report is worked
Its far from perfect, but it doesn’t need to be really
They had chemistry and we actually saw their relationship grow and it was sweet and interesting but we all knew it couldn’t go anywhere bc Ichi sold his soul essentially for that quick draw ability
On top of that a really charismatic cast, great action and actually funny moments
An all round great chapter
Cherry on top for me has to be seeing my favourite chanbara goofy old dude making a grand return
Istg the 50s and 60s Japan only had like 7 silly old guys so they just put them in rotation for those small parts that just make the film so much funnier and full
They have that perfect face and 2 of my favs popped up here
One from The Sword Of Doom opening and the other the chairman guy from Revenge and just seeing them all jolly for like a scene is just the best
Thank GOD
It took them a 10 movie break and some deep introspective work to figure out how to make an actual compelling romance and I’m pleased to report is worked
Its far from perfect, but it doesn’t need to be really
They had chemistry and we actually saw their relationship grow and it was sweet and interesting but we all knew it couldn’t go anywhere bc Ichi sold his soul essentially for that quick draw ability
On top of that a really charismatic cast, great action and actually funny moments
An all round great chapter
Cherry on top for me has to be seeing my favourite chanbara goofy old dude making a grand return
Istg the 50s and 60s Japan only had like 7 silly old guys so they just put them in rotation for those small parts that just make the film so much funnier and full
They have that perfect face and 2 of my favs popped up here
One from The Sword Of Doom opening and the other the chairman guy from Revenge and just seeing them all jolly for like a scene is just the best
It took them a 10 movie break and some deep introspective work to figure out how to make an actual compelling romance and I’m pleased to report is worked
Its far from perfect, but it doesn’t need to be really
They had chemistry and we actually saw their relationship grow and it was sweet and interesting but we all knew it couldn’t go anywhere bc Ichi sold his soul essentially for that quick draw ability
On top of that a really charismatic cast, great action and actually funny moments
An all round great chapter
Cherry on top for me has to be seeing my favourite chanbara goofy old dude making a grand return
Istg the 50s and 60s Japan only had like 7 silly old guys so they just put them in rotation for those small parts that just make the film so much funnier and full
They have that perfect face and 2 of my favs popped up here
One from The Sword Of Doom opening and the other the chairman guy from Revenge and just seeing them all jolly for like a scene is just the best
Timothy Kandra
More memorable than recent entries, but still way too familiar to the other films to have a separate identity.
More memorable than recent entries, but still way too familiar to the other films to have a separate identity.