An interesting entry, the prescence of the blind monk calling Zatoichi on his bad choices adds an interesting element to an otherwise standard Zatoichi film. The concept doesn't play out fully unfortunately, he never makes a real decision about his life of violence.

This Zatiochi movie stands out from most of the others because of his relationship with the adorable, but bratty little boy. This is the same little boy who gives Ichi a hand full of pebbles and tells him it's candy! Despite his brattiness, a strong bond of friendship develops between them and it is with much hesitation that Ichi leaves the boy at the end of the movie. The boy chases him through the crowd, with Ichi quickly tries to lose him. This was NOT done because the kid was annoying but because a kind monk helped him realize that keeping the boy with him was not good, as the violent lifestyle Ichi leads is NOT a good influence. Once again, Ichi chooses to abandon someone who loves him at the end of the movie--for their own good, but with a lot of heartbreak for both.