In this new episode of the Zatôichi'a saga, the blind hero regains some of his charisma, in an adventure of gambling, gangsters and katanas of sublime quality.
Only the use of color prevents a complete return to the brightness of the first episode. Not that the cinematography of Senkichirô Takeda, an experienced and competent technician, is bad. The problem is that this Zatôichi is a lonely hero, a gambler and an adventurer who dabbles in the underworld of the Yakuza to settle disputes and protect the underdog. He is a ronin who shines most brightly in the shadows of black and white. As if it were a hybrid of a western and a film noir, transposed to feudal Japan.
The fashion for color has changed Zatôichi. But in this film it is still possible to find traces of the surprising character of the first episode.
After a romantic break, Zatôichi returns to his natural habitat in style. As if Clint Eastwood was temporarily transported by magic to the "western" ronin universe.