Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman - Collection 2

A Must-Have Cult Classic
Product: ZATOICHI: The Blind Swordsman (Television Series), Collections One & Two (Season 1, 1974)
DVD Supplier/Format: "Tokyo Shock" DVD (6+6=12 discs total), 1:33 Full Screen, NTSC, Japanese with English subtitles
Rating: 5/5 (excellent) for the TV Series, but only 3/5 (fair) for this DVD collection.

Note: Scroll down for a full list of the episodes included in this collection.

I'm a die-hard Ichi-fan, and it was a brief run-in with several episodes that prompted me to study Iaiado back in the late 1980's. It is widely reputed that the American "Kung Fu" TV series (1972-1975), starring the late David Carradine was directly inspired by this series, and the hit Graphic Novel "Lone Wolf and Cub" was a nearly direct adaptation.

The basic premise is this: blind lower-caste loveable Japanese "peasant hero", wanders the countryside, from village to village, helping the downtrodden, during the Edo period of Feudal Japan. He poses as a masseuse,...

Season One, collection two, episodes 14-26
As stated in the title, Zatoichi Collection II contains Episodes 14-26 of the First Season.

Whether you are a die-hard Zatoichi fan, or a casual viewer looking for something different, the Zatoichi Collections are great place to begin (Or end, if you've already seen all 26 of Katsushin's movies. If you haven't, well...what are you waiting for?!?)

Each of the 13 episodes (14-26) averages *about* 50 minutes. If you find yourself questioning "how many scumbags can our hero possibly dispatch in only 50 minutes?", well, the answer is "as many as he wants".

Each episode is a mini-movie, with all the action, humor, drama and tragedy of a full-length movie packed into 50 minutes. I've seen all 26 episodes of the 1st Season, and I enjoyed every single minute of my time spent with Shintaro Katsu as the immortal-beloved, Zatoichi.

Fans of Zatoichi will notice repeat plot-lines, gags, and similar stunts during certain action sequences, but don't even...

Great deal on the second half of Zatoichi season 1.
You'll save money purchasing this set vs. buying the DVDs individually. If you're a fan of samurai films, Lone Wolf & Cub, or the Zatoichi films then you'll love Zatoichi the TV series. The production isn't quite as good as the films, but it's good enough. The incredible stories and sword fighting is what will keep you glued to your seat. The original actor from the films reprises his role here and is excellent.

I highly recommend this set, as well as set one. And if you haven't seen the films, definitely go check those out as well. Zatoichi is a masterpiece in storytelling.

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