Zatoichi

Zatoichi (座頭市 Zatōichi) is a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The enduring popularity of the character has been likened to that of James Bond in Western countries. However, Zatoichi has become almost synonymous with one actor: Shintaro Katsu. The only other actor to portray Zatoichi on film is Takeshi Kitano, after a hiatus of almost 15 years.

The 2003 film

In 2003, Takeshi Kitano produced a new high-budget Zatoichi film, called Zatoichi (座頭市 Zatōichi). Kitano plays the role of the blind swordsman himself. The film's plot follows a traditional theme, with Zatoichi coming to the defense of townspeople caught up in a local gang war, and being forced to pay excessive amounts of protection money. Zatoichi befriends a local farmer, helping her gambling nephew and two geishas who are seeking revenge for the murder of their parents.

Related Topics:
2003 - Takeshi Kitano - Gang war - Farmer - Geishas - Revenge - Murder

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The film features computer-generated blood throughout, which is becoming increasingly popular in Asian cinema, as this is cheaper than using practical special effects. It is also notable for the choreography of tap dance troupe The Stripes throughout.

Related Topics:
Computer-generated - Asian - Cinema - Practical special effects - Choreography - Tap dance

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Cast of the new film

• Takeshi Kitano as Zatoichi
• Tadanobu Asano as the ronin Hattori
• Michiyo Ogusu as O-Ume, the farmer
• Yui Natsukawa as O-Shino, Hattori's wife