Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every town and village he enters.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 23 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 26 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 6.8/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 6.8. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with The Tale of Zatoichi standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
The Tale of Zatoichi
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller g...
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love....
New Tale of Zatoichi
Wishing to find peace, Zatoichi travels to his old village but only finds trouble when he ends up in a love triangle and finds old scores have followed him home...
Zatoichi the Fugitive
After arriving in the town of Shimonita, Ichi finds that a price has been put on his head by a local yakuza boss. He's drawn into a trap, but after hearing of t...
Zatoichi on the Road
Zatoichi is sworn to protect the life of a young girl and without any real allies finds himself in the middle of a bloody turf war....
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
Ichi travels to the village of Itakura to pay his respects at the grave of Kichizo, a man he killed two years ago. When some tax money is stolen while in transi...
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
Blind masseur Zatoichi is nursed back to health by a young woman after he is shot by a gang member. Zatoichi, who had come to the village to repay a debt, now f...
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman returning home with her baby. When gangsters mistake her for Zatoichi and kill her, Zatoichi determine...
Adventures of Zatoichi
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman looking for her father, a village leader who has disappeared. As he helps her investigate the disappea...
Zatoichi's Revenge
Itinerant masseur and master swordsman, the blind Zatoichi, is near the village of his teacher, Hikonoichi, so he decides to visit. He learns of Hikonoichi's re...
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
Blind swordsman Zatoichi, jailed briefly, is implored by another prisoner to aid him in proving his innocence of a crime for which he is sentenced to death. Zat...
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Zatoichi makes friends with a dangerous chess player, while fending off angry yakuza and bloodthirsty relatives out for revenge, and trying to save a sick child...
Zatoichi's Vengeance
Zatoichi comes upon a dying man who asks him to give a bag of money to "Taichi". Zatoichi has no idea who this is but when he comes upon a small town harassed b...
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss....
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
Zatoichi comes upon the town of Tonda, overrun by gangsters. Using one of his favorite techniques, Zatoichi proceeds to win 8 ryo in a rigged gambling game. Of ...
Zatoichi the Outlaw
When a local gambling house kidnaps some peasants because they failed to pay their debts, a rival gambling house pays their debts and sets them free....
Zatoichi Challenged
Ichi is staying at an inn when a woman dies. Her dying wish is that Ichi take her son to his father, an artist living in a nearby town. After arriving in the to...
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
Zatoichi runs afoul of some evil fugitives, working for a corrupt law official....
Samaritan Zatoichi
Zatoichi is forced to kill a young man who owes a debt to a yakuza boss. Moments later, his sister Osode arrives with the money she earned (prostituting herself...
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
Zatoichi treks to a village that has always been a favorite spot of his, only to discover that it’s become a living hell, plagued by feuding father and son yaku...
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
The blind masseuse is targeted by the leader of a powerful yakuza group while also fending off a jealous husband bent on revenge. Zatoichi tours Edo's undergrou...
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman
Zatoichi is a blind massage therapist and swordsman who finds out that something troubling is taking place on the outskirts of town. After discovering who the g...
Zatoichi at Large
Blind masseur and master swordsman Zatoichi finds a robbed and fatally wounded pregnant woman, whose baby he delivers before she dies. He takes the baby in sear...
Zatoichi in Desperation
After accidentally causing the death of an old lady, Zatoichi tries to do right by buying the lady’s daughter’s freedom from a brothel - but this causes more pr...
Zatoichi's Conspiracy
Zatoichi, the famed blind swordsman, returns to his home village for the first time in many years. He is befriended by Omiyo, who had the same wet-nurse as Zato...
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally
Older, wiser but still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a peaceful life in a rural village. When he's caught in the middle of a pow...
Common Questions about Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection
How many movies are in the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection?
There are currently 26 movies in the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection, starting from Zatoichi's Vengeance to the latest release, Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally.
What is the best order to watch the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection?
The best way to watch the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection is usually in release order: starting with Zatoichi's Vengeance and ending with Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for The Tale of Zatoichi in this franchise.