The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Fans of chanbara (Japanese sword-play films) are no doubt familiar with Zatoichi, the famous blind swordsman character (played by Shintaro Katsu, real-life half brother of Wakayama Tomisaburo, star of the Lone Wolf and Cub films), whose popularity prompted more than a dozen films and a long-running television series, as well as inspiring several American films, including Rutger Hauer's character in Blind Fury, and the character Zato-ino in Stan Sakai's Eisner Award-winning comic book Usagi Yojimbo, published by Dark Horse Comics.

For those unfamiliar with the character, Zatoichi is an ex-yakuza gambler turned peace-seeking wandering masseur. And yes, he's blind as a bat...but far from helpless. You see, Zatoichi is also a master swordsman, and much more.

The latest Zatoichi release from AnimEigo (and the first of the films produced by Katsu Productions, Shintaro's own production studio), Zatoichi: The Outlaw (released to the U.S. market this week), begins with Zatoichi eating near a "bow and arrow" carnival stand, laughing at a player who keeps missing the big target. Tired of Zatoichi's mockery, he insists that Zatoichi himself take a shot. Zatoichi does, but only after having the proprietor change the target to a much smaller one. The result is predictable but quite impressive and fun to watch nonetheless, and it underscores the overall "power level" of the film's star.

Zatoichi is much more than just a master swordsman. He's a true chanbara hero (i.e., a lone wanderer who rights wrongs and fights for ideals and principles rather than money or simple personal honor), with abilities far beyond those of normal men. His senses are razor sharp; so much so that he can fight as if he could see. Perhaps even better. Zatoichi's been likened to Daredevil of Marvel comics fame, and for good reason. His stunts and action scenes, though admittedly choreographed, are nothing short of amazing if taken in context (chanbara does require a suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy).

So far, every film in the series (and I've seen 15 of them to date) has been enjoyable. Gamers, in particular, will find some incredible action sequences, stories with multiple plot threads, interesting ways to introduce new characters and tying each individual's back story into the "larger picture." Though some of the stories seem a bit cliched, this fact is easily overlooked by adventure fans, especially in light of the overall story of the main character that meanders from film to film, just as the character himself meanders from town to town in his search for peace.

Aside from the obvious uses of the films' stories in games like Legend of the Five Rings, GURPS Japan, Sengoku and Feng Shui, the films provide characterizations and situations that could easily be transplanted to another genre. For instance, the wandering rogue could become the rogue trader in a science fiction (or, perhaps more accurately, space opera) game, or the intrepid archeologist type in a pulp setting. Corrupt police and government officials are pretty standard fare in almost every genre, as are the endangered heroine, the bitter rival and the greedy gambling boss-cum-patron. Indeed, gamers will recognize a number of familiar archetypes in the Zatoichi films. (As an aside, those interested in a list of the various Zatoichi titles that have been released--not all of them yet in the U.S.--should check out my Chanbara Suggested Viewing List.)

There's a lot to like about the Zatoichi films. He's not like your typical chanbara hero, such as Toshiro Mifune's rogue ronin characters in Yojimbo and Sanjuro, or the samurai characters in Seven Samurai. And the Zatoichi films don't take on the epic proportions of Akira Kurosawa's films, such as Ran and Kagemusha. But Zatoichi, simply stated, has charm. He's a commoner and a rogue, but he's got a heart of gold and a lightning sword arm.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Zatoichi film series
Author: Shintaro Katsu Category: Movie (series) Company/Publisher: Daiei (Japan); Chambara & AnimEigo (U.S. release versions) Line: Zatoichi Cost: $29.95-19.95 Page count: N/A ISBN: Varies Playtest Review by Mark Arsenault on 04/11/00. Genre tags: Historical Asian/Far_East	Fans of chanbara (Japanese sword-play films) are no doubt familiar with Zatoichi, the famous blind swordsman character (played by Shintaro Katsu, real-life half brother of Wakayama Tomisaburo, star of the Lone Wolf and Cub films), whose popularity prompted more than a dozen films and a long-running television series, as well as inspiring several American films, including Rutger Hauer's character in Blind Fury, and the character Zato-ino in Stan Sakai's Eisner Award-winning comic book Usagi Yojimbo, published by Dark Horse Comics. For those unfamiliar with the character, Zatoichi is an ex-yakuza gambler turned peace-seeking wandering masseur. And yes, he's blind as a bat...but far from helpless. You see, Zatoichi is also a master swordsman, and much more. The latest Zatoichi release from AnimEigo (and the first of the films produced by Katsu Productions, Shintaro's own production studio), Zatoichi: The Outlaw (released to the U.S. market this week), begins with Zatoichi eating near a "bow and arrow" carnival stand, laughing at a player who keeps missing the big target. Tired of Zatoichi's mockery, he insists that Zatoichi himself take a shot. Zatoichi does, but only after having the proprietor change the target to a much smaller one. The result is predictable but quite impressive and fun to watch nonetheless, and it underscores the overall "power level" of the film's star. Zatoichi is much more than just a master swordsman. He's a true chanbara hero (i.e., a lone wanderer who rights wrongs and fights for ideals and principles rather than money or simple personal honor), with abilities far beyond those of normal men. His senses are razor sharp; so much so that he can fight as if he could see. Perhaps even better. Zatoichi's been likened to Daredevil of Marvel comics fame, and for good reason. His stunts and action scenes, though admittedly choreographed, are nothing short of amazing if taken in context (chanbara does require a suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy). So far, every film in the series (and I've seen 15 of them to date) has been enjoyable. Gamers, in particular, will find some incredible action sequences, stories with multiple plot threads, interesting ways to introduce new characters and tying each individual's back story into the "larger picture." Though some of the stories seem a bit cliched, this fact is easily overlooked by adventure fans, especially in light of the overall story of the main character that meanders from film to film, just as the character himself meanders from town to town in his search for peace. Aside from the obvious uses of the films' stories in games like Legend of the Five Rings, GURPS Japan, Sengoku and Feng Shui, the films provide characterizations and situations that could easily be transplanted to another genre. For instance, the wandering rogue could become the rogue trader in a science fiction (or, perhaps more accurately, space opera) game, or the intrepid archeologist type in a pulp setting. Corrupt police and government officials are pretty standard fare in almost every genre, as are the endangered heroine, the bitter rival and the greedy gambling boss-cum-patron. Indeed, gamers will recognize a number of familiar archetypes in the Zatoichi films. (As an aside, those interested in a list of the various Zatoichi titles that have been released--not all of them yet in the U.S.--should check out my Chanbara Suggested Viewing List.) There's a lot to like about the Zatoichi films. He's not like your typical chanbara hero, such as Toshiro Mifune's rogue ronin characters in Yojimbo and Sanjuro, or the samurai characters in Seven Samurai. And the Zatoichi films don't take on the epic proportions of Akira Kurosawa's films, such as Ran and Kagemusha. But Zatoichi, simply stated, has charm. He's a commoner and a rogue, but he's got a heart of gold and a lightning sword arm. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Zatoichi film series