Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo is the twentieth film in the Japanese franchise about the blind masseur, skilled swordsman and lowly yakuza. Yojimbo's character is inspired by Akira Korusawa's critically acclaimed Yojimbo and even played by famous actor Toshiro Mifune. The movie tells the story how Zatoichi grows tired of having blood on his hands and retires to his peaceful hometown. Upon arriving, he realizes that the town has lost its charm over the past three years. After a terrible drought, the leader of the village seeked the protection of yakuza against people from other villages who were trying to steal reserves. Since then, two bosses are controlling the territory. The delicate thing is that one of them is the wise father and the other one his impulsive son. The former decides to hire Zatoichi as protector while the latter hires Yojimbo as his bodyguard. In addition to the familial and territorial conflict, there are rumors of an important quantity of gold hidden by the older boss for his second son. Zatoichi's and Yojimbo's interests, paths and swords cross multiple times until a dramatic showdown during a storm.

Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo looks great on paper but turns out being the weakest film in the franchise so far. The movie overstays its welcome with a length approaching two hours and especially the middle section is plodding and at times hard to sit through. The sword fights aren't as sepctacular as in several previous movies. The film is filled with boring, repetitive and stereotypical dialogues. The addition of odd comic relief in certain scenes also drags this movie down and makes characters like the younger boss look ridiculous. The plot is a times hard to follow because it focuses on too many characters and side stories at the same time. Yojimbo is a one-dimensional character in this film who is busy swearing, sleeping and drinking. Even the usually sympathetic Zatoichi isn't quite convincing as he aimlessly walks around, occasionally cooperates with dumb thugs and often swears and drinks in his ambiguous relationship with Yojimbo.

There are only very few redeeming qualities in this movie. The poor Japanese village certainly has its exotically rural charm. The viewers get to know a little bit more about Zatoichi's background and past even though this option wasn't exploited enough in my opinion. The story line is more developed than usual but also confusing at times.

To be honest, Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo is the movie in the franchise that I've enjoyed the least so far. The characters are often one-dimdensional, the comic relief doesn't fit in and the plot is plodding. I would neither recommend this film to fans of the brilliant Zatoichi franchise nor to those who loved Korusawa's Yojimbo. Don't get fooled by the seemingly intriguing concept of combining two of Japan's greatest chambara characters. This film doesn't deserve the acclaim and attention it gets.

Samaritan Zatoichi is the nineteenth film in the franchise about the blind masseur, skilled swordsman and lowly yakuza. In this movie, Zatoichi reprises his work as yakuza to earn some money. Initially hired as observator, he ends up fighting and killing a man who owes his boss money. However, it is soon revealed that his boss is only interested in the victim's sister and wants to force her to become the servant of a government official in order to convince said official to attribute some land to him. Zatoichi deeply regrets his actions and decides to protect the deceased man's sister. She is initially reluctant to be protected by the man who slayed her brother but since the greedy boss, an ambitious punter and the owners of a brothel are out to get her, Zatoichi's skills end up being very welcome to help her.

There are multiple elements that make Samaritan Zatoichi stand out. First of all, this is one of the few times when we actually see Zatoichi work as yakuza. Moreover, the film shows the gentle man's dark side as Zatoichi is not only shown killing an innocent man but also not paying rent for his hotel room and cheating at a dice game. That's why the film's title is somewhat misleading as this movie is one of the very few to show Zatoichi's weaknesses. Another great element is the relationship between Zatoichi and the dead man's sister that changes from hatred over doubt to affection in the young woman's case. The acting performances are particularly great in this film.

Maybe there are a few too many characters and parties in this film as a stronger focus on the relationship between the blind yakuza and the grieving woman could have made a very good movie even excellent. The middle section of the film is a little bit plodding. The fight scenes are solid but not as impressive and memorable as in other movies of the series.

Still, Samaritan Zatoichi is of great interest for collectors and fans of old date because it shows a different side of the unique main character. The character's darker side and his relationship with the grieving woman make this film stand out very positively. Since this nearly innovative approach is quite unusual for the series, I wouldn't recommend this movie to newcomers. If you want to discover a more traditional take on the blind swordsman, go for the franchise's earlier films.

Zatoichi and the Fugitives is the eighteenth entry in the Japanese franchise about the blind masseur, skilled swordsman and lowly yakuza. The film convinces with gloomy atmosphere, profound characters and brutal fight sequences. Zatoichi comes to a region that is terrorized by a group of cruel criminals and to a town controlled by a greedy boss who treats indebted citizens like slaves. Zatoichi stays at the local doctor's residence and grows fond of the generous man and his kind daughter. Things start getting complicated when an inspector comes to town who is looking for the fugitive criminals and when the leader of these criminals is revealed to be the doctor's disowned son. The greedy boss cooperates with the cruel fugitives and Zatoichi steps up to prevent further bloodbaths. However, the doctor and his daughter get kidnapped and Zatoichi gets severely wounded. The injured swordsman must free his friends, deal with the cruel fugitives and confront the evil boss.

This movie convinces on many levels. First of all, it has a quite gloomy atmosphere showing intimidation, slavery and torture. Secondly, the movie's sinsiter tone is contrasted by a few likeable characters such as the generous doctor and his helpful daughter. Thirdly, the fight sequences are among the most intense in the franchise and especially the final thirty minutes when a severly injured Zatoichi takes his revenge are extremely intense. One has never seen Zatoichi as vulnerable as in this movie which only seems to make him stronger. The movie's tragic end is quite a tearjerker and also leaves a big impression.

There aren't many negative things to say. Obviously, the story is once again quite predictable but that's the case for nearly all movies of the franchise. The middle section is atmospheric but maybe slightly plodding and could have been shortened by a few minutes for a more fluid and vivid experience.

Still, this movie's brutal, desperate and gloomy atmosphere makes it one of the most remarkable entries in the franchise. Fans of old date, occasional fans of chambara films and those who are curious about the massive Zatoichi saga but haven't checked it out yet should appreciate Zatoichi and the Fugitives alike.

Zatoichi Challenged is the seventeenth entry in the Japanese franchise about the blind masseur, skilled swordsman and lowly yakuza. It's an above average episode which is entertaining from start to finish. In this movie, Zatoichi shares a room with a dying mother and her child. It's the dying woman's last wish that Zatoichi takes her six-year old son to his father. The impatient Zatoichi and the energetic child soon grow fond of each other as they travel with a performance troupe that is terrorized by the men of a new pitiless yakuza boss. He gradually challenges the former boss who was very close to the performance troupe. Zatoichi soon gets caught between both clans, especially when he realizes that the child's father is hold captive by the new boss to draw sexually explicit paintings. However, the government has become aware of the scandal and has sent its own fighters out to silence all those who have been implicated. Zatoichi needs to bring a family together, confront a despicable boss and even fight the government to set things right.

There are many elements to like about this movie. First of all, the film starts like a musical with a few Japanese folk songs while Zatoichi is traveling through rural Japan. I liked this fresh idea since it wasn't overused but am aware that some critics didn't appreciate the idea. Zatoichi had already been traveling with a toddler in Fight, Zatoichi, Fight but traveling with a child that has just lost its mother, needs to trust a complete stranger and will meet a father he has never met before is a quite emotional addition which makes this film stand out. The plot might not be surprising but it's told with fluid pace and includes a few intriguing characters such as the potter and his daughter. The mysterious swordsman who often crosses Zatoichi's path is nicely played, especially in the gloomy palanquin sequence at night and in the final fight sequence. This final fight sequence must be pointed out for being one of the very best in the franchise. Everything is perfect about it, starting with the set-up and the initial dialogues, followed by the intense fight at night in a small alley under heavy snowfall and concluded with a surprisingly original outcome.

There really aren't any obvious negative elements aside the usual fact that each Zatoichi movie has quite restricted patterns which makes the franchise predictable.

Zatoichi Challenged still has enough intriguing elements to make it stand out among other films in the franchise. The movie's final fifteen minutes including one of the franchise's most memorable fight scenes are essential. Any collector or fan of the franchise should watch this film which might also serve as an appropriate introduction to those who haven't watched any Zatoichi films yet. If you watch this movie and like it, you'll be hooked and might as well watch all other films of this atmospheric, energetic and intelligent franchise.

Zatoichi the Outlaw is the sixteenth entry in the franchise about the blind masseur, skilled swordsman and lowly yakuza. It's also the first film to be produced by Katsu Productions, lead actor's Katsu Shintaro's own company. The movie remains faithful to the franchise's typical storytelling of the main character traveling across rural Japan during the shogunate's final years in mid-nineteenth century in order to support the helpless in their struggles with exploitative authorities. However, there are also a few new elements such as more explicit fight scenes with severed limbs and fake blood. The plot is also more complex and epic than usual. To keep it short, Zatoichi travels to a town led by a sword-less ronin who leads a peasant movement advocating the abstention from drinking, gambling and whoring and teaching how to cultivate rice more efficiently. This ronin is supported by a seemingly honest yakuza and boss who appears to be very close to local farmers. However, another boss who is backed up by a corrupt government official has interest in making money as he organizes a festival promoting the use of alcohol, indepts young peasants by making them participate in crooked gambling and establishes a new brothel. Zatoichi gets caught in between the opposing parties and decides to help the sword-less ronin and the honest yakuza boss. He accidentally kills a peasant that was sent to attack him and injures another. When the corrupt boss confronts him, Zatoichi kills him and goes into hiding. However, Zatoichi soon realizes that his actions have changed things for the worse. The dead peasant's sister is abused by the corrupt government official and then forced into prostitution. The injured peasant is obsessed with killing Zatoichi. The honest yakuza has taken the dead boss' place and has been corrupted by greed and power. The sword-less ronin gets is accused of treason and gets imprisoned. One year after he left the village, Zatoichi is back to repair his mistakes by using his sword.

Even though several critics had a negative perception of Zatoichi the Outlaw, I happen to think it's one of the best entries in the franchise. First of all, the camera work is splendid. It's calm, focused and precise and the landscapes are even more colorful than usual. The score is dramatic and adds a solid dose of intensity to the film. The numerous characters are intriguing and have depth, especially since a lot of them are going through profound and at times unpredictable changes. The movie also has a more ideologiocal and philosophical note as the sword-less ronin tries to organize collective farming and suggest Zatoichi to lay down his sword. This movie almost has a socialist message which is quite interesting. The fight sequences are more intense as well thanks to more explicit scenes with torn hands and heads and the use of fake blood. It makes the brief fights more realistic.

However, the film has a few minor flaws. Even though new writers and even a new director were hired for this film, the plot is still mostly predictable. Also, there aren't many sword fights and the few that are shown aren't as skillful as one is used to. The fights are more brutal and realistic but less artistic and dynamic, taking away from the charme of the series.

In the end, Zatoichi the Outlaw is still a highlight of the Zatoichi franchise in my book. The great acting performances, progressive ideologies and epic plot make this film stand out for fans of old date and new ones alike. Ignore the negative reviews and give it a try!