I have only one nagging question about this Criterion release: Why package DVDs on the left of each page and then a BLU-RAY of the same three movies on the right?! Why does anyone need DVDs who has the BLU-RAY? And if our budgets are stretched by the added cost of a BLU-RAY, why can't we just buy the cheaper DVD? Why both?! I just would like to know the rationale behind what seems insane packaging to me. Thank you for allowing me to gush . . . NOW! to my review! When I learned that Criterion was issuing all of the Zatoichi films, I was overjoyed and exhilarated, but then to have wait for three months for the release was a bummer. But the long wait is over and the enjoyment begins. I have been watching the films in the order of release because I want to see how Shintaro Katsu handles the character of Ichi as he progresses through life and, in fact, ages. In those earliest films he looks so young, but I am amazed that this charismatic, versatile actor had already found Ichi's character in those first ventures. It was in film clubs in the early 1980s (before videocassettes and DVDs) that I first met Ichi and fell in love with the character and his stories. There was palpable delight in those small venues as we enjoyed his antics, sentimental attachments and, of course, lightning sword-play. ZATOICHI is formula film-making: the plots are mirror-images of each other, the villains are one-dimensional, often the sentimentality becomes cloying -- but I was not bothered by these issues when I was seeing, at best, two Zatoichi films per month, and - happy surprise! - I'm not bothered now when I sometimes watch one each day. I feel the production values are so superior that I get pulled into each episode with the wonderful details of each setting, the fine acting of guest stars and, of course, the wonderful sword-play, as kinetic an experience in cinema as you could hope for. But none of this would matter were it not for Shintaro Katsu: he is a hero who plays his role as if he were an anti-hero, until those final moments when he effortlessly reveals himself to be the Strong Man who defends the helpless against the greedy. I saw a documentary about Shintaro Katsu on PBS many years ago. When it was over, I wished I hadn't seen it, because the man who was Katsu was not Ichi. All of us who identify with a star go through this disillusionment. I prided myself for years that I was never duped by a Hollywood star into confusing the persona with the person. And yet I fell completely under the spell of Katsu-Ichi. That's why I quoted the line from Yeats in my title because all of us confuse fictional characters and real characters. Why is that? I believe the answer lies in our very genuine human need for exceptional human beings who transcend the ordinary world with its compromises, disillusionments and predictability. I just learned that Shintaro Katsu's older brother, who memorably portrayed base villains in two of earliest Zatoichi films, played the Lone Wolf in that six-film series. I saw those films too back in the 1980s, but I found the violence too extreme and bloody, the character merciless and unrelenting and the stories unrelieved by sentiment and humor. And that brings me back to my delight in this issue of two dozen wonderful Zatoichi films. Ichi is one of the noblest, most admirable, friendliest, wittiest, greatest inventions of world cinema. I know those of us who are his fans will always see the dancer and the dance as one.

The Zatoichi films dwell in that sweet spot between the high art masterpieces of Akira Kurosawa and the serial westerns of the US. Some, even in Japan, thought Kurosawa rather pretentious and too keen to adapt Shakespeare and other Western art forms. The Zatoichi story arcs are of simple people, scoundrels, gamblers, gangsters, damsels (both in distress and treacherous), and the samurai / ronin that inhabit the last decaying period of the shogunate. Through all this travels a blind masseur, outwardly calm and humble, but with a keen sense of justice and understanding of human nature, particularly that of the many dishonest cretins that afflict the populace. Sound a bit like Clint Eastwood's Man-with-no-name? Or Kwai Chang Caine? This series pre-dates those characters by several years, and these films were so wildly popular in Japan, imitations were inevitable.
With most of these films clocking in at a brisk 90 minutes, the story lines are uncluttered, the action compact and well-edited, and the fight choreography exceptional. But none of this would have been enough to sustain the series were it not for the iconic performances by the great Shintaro Katsu as Ichi. Being a sighted person in real life, his depiction of a blind man is remarkable, never a caricature. And while we as viewers have to suspend our disbelief as to what this blind man can do in some scenes, the care taken by the actor, directors, and writers never leave us thinking "no way!" (at least not completely). You'll find yourself viewing and reviewing scenes just to marvel at Katsu's timing and decidedly non-athletic athleticism. He's no six-pack abs hero, but as one ne'er-do-well comments, "he's pretty quick on his feet for a blind man." It's one of the great characters in all filmdom, and by staying in the role for all of the series, I'd like to think Katsu realized this too.
Much has already been written on the unique swordplay used by Ichi, and whether it works in real life or not, but who cares? Shintaro Katsu makes it all believable, and more importantly to the viewer, interesting and exciting. If it's entertainment you're after, this series of films provides it in spades, and after you watch a few, you'll be hooked!

This Criterion Box set of all 25 of the early Zatoichi movies is a bargain. You are paying only about $5 per movie and the Criterion Collection is noted for their pristine transfers using whatever available film source they can find. The movies are on nine discs in a sturdy slipcase along with a small book covering the Zatoichi movies. The slipcase however is bigger than regular Blu-Ray cases and will not fit with other movies.

The first 15 movies were excellent but the later movies had different producers which was a bit jarring in comparison with the earlier movies. All the transfers were very good, considering Criterion put three filsm per disc which meant the films were compressed more than normal titles (they average 14-15GB each title). You have to realize that the bulk of these movies are nearly 60 years old and they do show its age with colrs and sharpness, but it still is better than what I expected.

Unlike some others, I didn't have any issues with any discs being defective. I don't understand why this title is always shown with a one-two month back order. I was not expecting this until the end of March but got it two weeks after it was ordered. Overall, this is still an outstanding value, especially if you are into Chanbara movies.

This is a wonderful boxed set of 25 digitally enhanced films starring Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman. Running counter to most martial arts films you have seen, Zatoichi is modest, self-effacing, flabby, and struggles with friendlessness, shyness, and problems with women, in addition to the temptations of drink and gambling. Usually running from the law, he suffers at the hand of bullies and gangs, while trying to preserve his compassion for the helpless. When pushed to the limit, he is deadly.
If you are familiar with the films, you will value the opportunity to see the series and characters evolve in order without having to paralyze your spine in film festival seating. If you find it difficult to sit at home in the pandemic, this box set will ease your pain. If you are new to the series, you are about to be amazed.
Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman is reasonably well-known, today. However, after spending years chasing grainy, undubbed prints from filthy arthouses throughout the 1970s-1980s, it is great comfort to have wonderful Blu-ray editions of all the Shintaro Katsu films at my fingertips. The black & white and color prints show great detail and a long tonal gradation from white to black. The uncompressed mono sound is detailed and without artifacts through my system.
Inside the box is a colorful book with short synopses and original artwork to accompany the episodes. You will enjoy spending plenty of time paging through this. The packaging holds each disc firmly in a slick cardboard sleeve that releases the disc easily to your fingers, but protects against the discs falling out or being released in transit. The current price for this product is amazingly reasonable, in my opinion.
OVERALL: I like this product and I am glad that I purchased it. If you like Zatoichi, I heartily recommend that you get it, too.
HELPFUL TIP: There is much to see in these images. If you have not yet done so, consider upgrading your cables, updating your firmware, and adjusting your speakers to get the most out of them. Make sure your settings give you the best resolution possible. Enjoy!

This is a great film series and Criterion Collection does a great packaging job with the films. However, I do have two complaints that prevents me from giving it a 5 Star Rating: First, the sparsity of Extra Features. I know putting 25 films is a lot of work and I have no problems with 3 films per discs, but where are the Audio Commentaries? At least the first two and Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo should have them. The two documentaries on the last discs are good, but I expect more from Criterion Collection. The second is the subtitles: I've noticed the qualities in Criterions' subtitling has gone down lately. Mostly, it comes down to them not subtitling the background dialogues in their foreign films. I first noticed this with their La Dolce Vita blu-ray and the same problem with the Zatoichi films here. Both Criterion and some fans might find them superfluous & unnecessary but I disagree: the background dialogues add atmosphere and color to the scenes. I wish Criterion would fix this in the future, but I doubt it. Probably this is a cost-cutting measure. Still the Zatoichi is a great collection.