Zatoichi 1: The Tale of Zatoichi
This is the movie that introduced the legend of Zatoichi and its star, Shintaro Katsu, ushering in a new era of the Japanese samurai film. Practicing his trade as a masseur in a small province, Zatoichi finds himself caught in a turf war between rival yakuza gangs. Aware of Zatoichi's reputation as an undefeatable swordsman, yakuza leader Sukejoro tries to hire him - unsuccessfully - as a mercenary. But it's too late. The other gang leader, Shigezo, hires a warrior with an equally fierce reputation to challenge Zatoichi. Thus the legend begins with intensely choreographed battle scenes and an expertly crafted story.
Zatoichi 2: The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
Nonstop action, a deadly love triangle, and a mysterious one-armed samurai round out the second installment in the legendary series. When Zatoichi discovers the lord who has hired him suffers from a madness that, if made public, would bring ruin to his empire and the livelihood of the samurai warriors he employs, the blind masseur becomes a wanted man for the secret he now possesses. Attacked at every turn by the crazed lord's samurais and hired yakuza thugs, Zatoichi manages to escape relatively unscathed. But in a final duel, masseur Ichi must face his old foe, the infamous one-armed samurai (played by Tomisaburo Wakayama, the brother of star Shintaro Katsu).
Zatoichi 3: New Tale of Zatoichi
With more killer swordsmanship, romance, and action packed drama, the blind masseur is back in the first color episode of the Zatoichi series. Ichi returns to his home village to discover that the teacher who trained him has been hiring out his skills with the sword to a ruthless gang of kidnappers. Meanwhile the mentor's sister offers herself in marriage to our hero, who must decline on account of his many enemies and the danger that would bring to any woman he was known to love.
Zatoichi 4: The Fugitive
Zatoichi meets a superior swordsman in episode four. Arriving in the village of Shimonita, Ichi learns that a local gang has placed a bounty on his head. A powerful hired ronin attacks Ichi and nearly claims his life. However, once a defenseless woman is slain by the assassin, Ichi can no longer control his rage. After laying waste to the entire gang, Ichi's final duel becomes a deadly meeting of the samurai's superior swordsmanship and the blind masseur's unbridled rage.
- NTSC Region 1
- 4 Disc Set
- Japanese with English Subtitles
- 2:35 Widescreen
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