I'm a big Haruka Ayase fan, and was actually quite excited to see the couple from Jin in the cast... BUT, as a film buff and really liking the Zatoichi films is hard to give this one a positive review.

The Shintaro Katsu's movies and even Kitano's 2003 film set a really high standard for how a blind samurais should act. It was all in the face, those expressions and the subtle movements in their face. Off course they would do it eyes closed all the way through the films, so the expressions have to rely on the rest of the face. Haruka Ayase just went eyes open with her sight lost in the horizon and no subtle expressions to speak of. Huge disappointment there, that was one of the difficulties in the role, and she decided to skip it and play safe (?!?).
As for the story the whole suffering child memories were something I never missed in Zatoichi's, been that one of the strong messages I always took from the films was that he was a blind but not a cripple because of it. Again safe playing here.
The role by Osawo Takao reminded me a lot to Jin, except the cheerful / silly character felt sort of out of place here too. It was somewhat frustrating to watch the scenes with him facing his trauma induced inability to draw his sword.... pick another weapon already!!!

My favorite role here goes for Kubozuka Yosuke, really acting the role. Serious business were about to happen in the village which demanded a serious role, unrestrained and heart felted. He totally met those demands.

Lovely production, really nice revamp to the whole scenery, clothes and special effects.
As for the OST, for me still 2003's Kitano is the best one. They made Haruka sing and play the shamisen, and lovely as she was I totally prefer the atmospheric drums in Kitano's.

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I could go on and on. But bottom line is that if you're a Haruka Ayase fan, you'll like this film no matter what. I think every Zatoichi movies fan will be disappointed. Someone mentioned the feminine side been added to the saga, which I think could be great, but it would need a more experienced cast to do it justice (specially if they wanted to adjust for how much more difficult would a blind woman would have had it in those times).

Haruka, we still love you though :-)

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