By this point, the 'Zatoichi' series has slipped into full-on episodic territory, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. In essence, it's a bit like 'James Bond'; each outing takes place within a vague continuity but doesn't require any pre-existing knowledge to be enjoyed. It's perhaps surprising that the series didn't get an official television show until 1974, though that probably has more to do with the landscape of entertainment media at the time than anything else. 'Zatoichi The Fugitive (1963)' sees its eponymous blind masseur with a price on his head after he defeats a local yakuza gang in a wrestling tournament, eventually finding himself caught in the middle of an underhanded gangland coup. Our protagonist inserts himself into this issue seemingly in an effort to aid a pair of sweethearts whose love it inhibits, perhaps because he doesn't want them to be affected by the same problems that plagued his past - spurred on by the return, in what's basically an extended cameo, of his first love, Otane (last seen in 'The Tale Of Zatoichi Continues (1962)'). As he continues to run afoul of the local mob, the price on his head grows larger and larger, attracting the attention of a rough samurai whose very first appearance almost silently promises a final showdown between the pair. The piece is as character-focused as you'd expect from the series, with themes of love and honour pusling through its veins. Though Zatoichi is almost constantly opposed to killing and even goes out of his way to fulfil the final wishes of those he has to dispatch, the flick has a rather high body count. Its action alternates between suspenseful and exciting, especially in its aforementioned climactic face-off. The feature is also surprisingly funny. It moves at a decent pace and does a good job of keeping you invested in its proceedings. It does occasionally get a tad confusing (there are a lot of names thrown around and it isn't always clear exactly who everyone is) but this isn't a major issue. Overall, it's an enjoyable affair throughout. 7/10.
Review of Zatoichi the Fugitive
