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Zatoichi 2003

“His sword made him a hero... his courage made him a legend.”

★ 7.2/10 · 973 votes R AdventureDramaAction Released
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Quick answer

What is Zatoichi?

Zatoichi is a blind traveler with a unique set of skills. He is a master swordsman and a masseur who also engages in dice games, often placing wagers.

Type
Film
Year
2003
Status
Released
Runtime
116 minutes
Release date
Sep 6, 2003
Original language
JA
Origin
Japan, France
Studios
Office Kitano, Saito Entertainment, Tokyo FM
Budget
$2,500,000
Revenue
$34,196,922
Genres
Adventure, Drama, Action
Updated
Availability by region

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Trailer

Overview

Zatoichi is a blind traveler with a unique set of skills. He is a master swordsman and a masseur who also engages in dice games, often placing wagers. Upon arriving in a village, he finds that the town is plagued by conflict between rival groups. Zatoichi's presence in the village is met with an opportunity to intervene in the ongoing strife. He decides to take action to safeguard the townspeople, motivated by his desire to protect them.

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Should you watch it?

“A wandering blind masseur and master swordsman defends a village caught in the middle of gang warfare.”

Reasons to watch
  • skilled swordplay choreography
  • engaging protagonist
Keep in mind
  • contains graphic violence

Watch it if you enjoy classic samurai cinema featuring a legendary blind hero.

This film is rated R and contains sequences of graphic action and violence.

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Cast

Frequently asked questions

Who directed the 2003 film?

The film was directed by Takeshi Kitano.

Is this an original story?

The character Zatoichi was originally created by novelist Kan Shimozawa.

What is the protagonist's profession?

Zatoichi works as a masseur while traveling.

Does the main character have any hobbies?

He has a fondness for gambling on dice games.

How long is the film?

The runtime of the movie is one hour and fifty-six minutes.