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Zatoichi (Franchise)

 Zatoichi (Franchise)
type
TVTItem
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
label
Zatoichi (Franchise)
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
page
Zatoichi
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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The Zatoichi series is one of Japan's longest running media franchises, with a total of 29 films and a 100-episode television series. The series centers around Ichi, an itinerant blind masseur who happens to be one of the most fearsome and dangerous swordsmen around, amassing a mind bogglingly high body count mostly consisting of yakuza, corrupt government flunkies and mountains of Mooks. In between bouts of derring-do, the blind anma can be found gambling, meeting quirky sidekicks, or unearthing vast tracts of mysterious past.The first 26 films (1962-1973, 1989) and the television series (Zatoichi Monogatari, 1974-1979) all starred the same actor, Shintaro Katsu, whose portrayal endeared the character to many fans until the actor's death in 1997. Until 1971, the films were produced by Daiei.There is an unofficial 4-movie series, all from 1972, made in Hong Kong starring actor Sing Lung as Zatoichi. The movies are a non-canon spinoff detailing Zatoichi's adventures in China during the Ming Dynasty, and getting an opportunity to carve a chunk out of evil-doers during his travels. The movies include Trust and Brotherhood, The Hunchback, The Blind Hero Fighting Evil Wolf and The Blind-Swordsman's Revenge. note  Apparently, Sing Lung earned the role after winning a "Zatoichi-lookalike'' contest in 1970. In 2003, Takeshi Kitano played Zatoichi in a Continuity Reboot/Alternate Continuity film which he also directed (for tropes specific to that film go to its page. Another reboot, this time with a female protagonist Ichi, was released in 2008. Two years later, a third reboot called Zatoichi: The Last was released in 2010. Also, an American re-imagining called Blind Fury was made in 1989, starring Rutger Hauer, based off of the 17th Zatoichi film, Zatoichi Challenged.The influence of this series is hard to overestimate as Zatoichi the blind swordsman is the Trope Codifier for the blind Handicapped Badass.
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Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
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DBTropes
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1235f055
type
Dirty Coward
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1235f055
comment
Dirty Coward: It is very rare for the Yakuza bosses or corrupt officials to be brave or proactive men. Several of them die in terror or pleading for their lives after Ichi mows his way through their army of mooks.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1235f055
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1235f055
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_12a22bd8
type
Katanas Are Just Better
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_12a22bd8
comment
Katanas Are Just Better: Averted, Ichi instead carries a shikomi-zue, or sword cane. Justified since blades are supposed to be outlawed in the Edo period, even if nobody really paid attention to the rule. Shikomi-zue were normally very low-grade weapons compared to the standard katana, but Ichi's is a surprisingly durable example, breaking only three times. Justified by the fact that his second blade, and the ones that followed, were made to a masterwork degree atypical of most shikomi-zue, rendering it
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_12a22bd8
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_18ce8f1d
type
Full-Frontal Assault
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_18ce8f1d
comment
Full-Frontal Assault: In Zatoichi and the Fire Festival, Ichi gets into a swordfight in the bathhouse, with all the participants being in the buff.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_18ce8f1d
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_18ce8f1d
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1a8dc238
type
Underestimating Badassery
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1a8dc238
comment
Underestimating Badassery: During the era in which the series is set, a blind masseur such as Ichi would have been considered barely one step above outright criminals or the mad, so a lot of the villains tend to underestimate him. His reputation as a dangerous man does precede him now and then, but nobody realises quite how skilled he is before finding out first-hand.
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1bc2e445
type
End of an Age
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1bc2e445
comment
End of an Age: The 2003 film seems to take place towards the end of the Edo period, if the presence of a roughly Civil War-era revolver is any indication.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1bc2e445
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1bc2e445
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1bca196d
type
Reluctant Warrior
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1bca196d
comment
Reluctant Warrior: Ichi generally just wants to travel, making his living by gambling and other odd jobs as a member of the Todoza would in those days. Unfortunately, his past as a Yakuza member and his sense of justice give him a reputation that thugs can't help but test, forcing Ichi into fight after fight.
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1c445e86
type
Poor Communication Kills
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1c445e86
comment
Poor Communication Kills: Much of the conflict of Zatoichi Meets The One-Armed Swordsman could be fixed if either Ichi or Wang Kang could speak the other's language.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1c445e86
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f85f9c8
type
One-Armed Warrior
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f85f9c8
comment
One-Armed Warrior: The latter from the crossover, Zatoichi Meets The One-Armed Swordsman. Played by Jimmy Wang Yu who popularized this trope ever since the original One-Armed Swordsman, no less.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f85f9c8
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f85f9c8
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f963842
type
Bloodier and Gorier
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f963842
comment
Bloodier and Gorier: When the films began to be produced by Katsu pictures, there was a noticeable shift towards visible blood. Takeshi Kitano's 2003 remake of the series featured tons of red spraying after every stroke of the sword.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_1f963842
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_20613a2a
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Victorian Novel Disease
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_20613a2a
comment
Victorian Novel Disease: Hirate (from the first film) is dying of consumption.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_20613a2a
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_20613a2a
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_26ff59b4
type
Knight Errant
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_26ff59b4
comment
Knight Errant: Ichi swears allegiance to no man. He wanders the earth and helps the innocent when he encounters them, or destroys evil when he finds it.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_26ff59b4
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_26ff59b4
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_28cd01ca
type
Disappeared Dad
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_28cd01ca
comment
Disappeared Dad: Ichi's dad abandoned him when he was still a child.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_28cd01ca
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_28f852ea
type
Wholesome Crossdresser
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_28f852ea
comment
Wholesome Crossdresser: In the Kitano film, one of the geisha is a little... different under the kimono.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_28f852ea
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_29292e6d
type
Walking the Earth
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_29292e6d
comment
Walking the Earth: Ichi never stays in one place for long, always moving on to the next adventure.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_29292e6d
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2ae29c0d
type
The Dreaded
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2ae29c0d
comment
The Dreaded: Ichi, of course...especially among the Yakuza. Why they try to kill him even after knowing how dangerous he is, is anybody's guess.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2ae29c0d
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2ae29c0d
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2fc21a19
type
Distaff Counterpart
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2fc21a19
comment
Distaff Counterpart: She even has the same name. It's because she's his daughter.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2fc21a19
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_2fc21a19
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_348c7ded
type
Sword Cane
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_348c7ded
comment
Sword Cane: Ichi's trademark weapon is the sword concealed in his cane.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_348c7ded
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_348c7ded
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_396e1c2a
type
Face Death with Dignity
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_396e1c2a
comment
Face Death with Dignity: Many times when Ichi defeats his Worthy Opponent of the films, in contrast to the Yakuza bosses, the fallen ronin will die respecting his opponent. Many minor characters throughout the films also die very composed. Hirate, one of his very first opponents, does this after hearing that if he doesn't fight Ichi, his boss will simply shoot the blind man. Despite knowing how it will end, he pulls himself out of bed to fight, saving Ichi while simultaneously dying with dignity rather than of consumption.
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_396e1c2a
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_421ae215
type
Mysterious Past
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_421ae215
comment
Mysterious Past: We know very little of Ichi himself, even after so long. Movies give glimpses into him: his lowborn status, his bitter feud with his elder brother, his relationships with the man who made his sword and his masseur mentor, but the man himself is often a closed book.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_421ae215
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_421ae215
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4565d81d
type
Single-Stroke Battle
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4565d81d
comment
Single-Stroke Battle: All the time.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4565d81d
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4565d81d
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4604fd4d
type
Worthy Opponent
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4604fd4d
comment
Worthy Opponent: Ichi tends to meet one of these every few films or so. From The Tale of Zatoichi: Hirate, a Rōnin from Edo, is employed by the Shigezo's Sasagawa yakuza, while Ichi is being hosted by their enemies, Sukegoro's Ioka gang. Hirate and Ichi both recognize each other as more honorable than the yakuza around them, and treat each other with friendship and respect. Hirate's tuberculosis puts him out of action just before the big showdown between the gangs, and since Shigezo had been depending on Hirate as the only fighter on the Sasagawa side who could possibly take Ichi in a sword fight, he prepares instead to have one of his men shoot Ichi from a distance with an arquebus. Hirate is so aghast when he hears about this plan that he summons the last of his strength to face Ichi with his sword, knowing that his worthy opponent will be shot down like a dog if he doesn't. Master Akatsuka from Zatoichi Challenged. He has a lengthy duel with Ichi and actually survives!
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4604fd4d
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4604fd4d
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_479d4e5a
type
Would Hurt a Child
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_479d4e5a
comment
Would Hurt a Child: Many Yakuza bosses, most notably the one in Zatoichi in Desperation who delivers rather gruesome and graphic violence towards a child.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_479d4e5a
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_479d4e5a
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_49fb5ccb
type
Combat Pragmatist
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_49fb5ccb
comment
Combat Pragmatist: Some villains get the bright ideas to fight Ichi by a fireworks display to prevent him from hearing them, or roll barrels at him, or any other number of things to mess up his fighting style. Boss Asagoro of Zatoichi the Outlaw takes the cake though as he simply tries to shoot Ichi to death from a distance, rather than send his men to attack in melee. A Yakuza boss pulls a revolver on Kitano's Ichi; it does him little good, but points for pragmatism.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_49fb5ccb
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_49fb5ccb
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4e3d253b
type
Downer Ending
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4e3d253b
comment
Downer Ending: The first movie, The Tale of Zatoichi, ends with Ichi's only friend in town dead at his hand, the opposing mafia slaughtered along with many of the innocents of their half of the village, and Ichi abandoning the woman that loves him.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4e3d253b
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4ef92d0b
type
The Atoner
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4ef92d0b
comment
The Atoner: Before the films, Ichi was a member of the Yakuza and killed many people, and after a Heel–Face Turn he decided to travel and live a simple life instead, bending his considerable skill to the task of bettering the world.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_4ef92d0b
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50b9282e
type
Blind Weaponmaster
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50b9282e
comment
Blind Weaponmaster: Ichi might be utterly blind, but he is known as an utter demon with his sword. Few in Japan can rival, let alone equal him.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50b9282e
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50d71a78
type
Dual Wielding
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50d71a78
comment
Dual Wielding: In Zatoichi and the Doomed Man, Ichi wields his cane sword and a katana that he grabbed off of a samurai he killed.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50d71a78
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_50d71a78
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_53c47260
type
You Monster!
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_53c47260
comment
You Monster!: Ichi informs Boss Iwagoro in Zatoichi's Cane Sword "I've met a lot of evil sons of bitches in my time...but you take the cake!"
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_53c47260
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_56c55ed8
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I Am Not Left-Handed
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_56c55ed8
comment
I Am Not Left-Handed: Takeshi Kitano's Zatoichi isn't actually blind, but chooses to close his eyes as a Self-Imposed Challenge. Or is he? The final line of the film is that he can't even see with his eyes open, having tripped over an small stone. This appears to be some sort of double bluff, and makes sense since he looks like he has cataracts.
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_617f0563
type
Heel–Face Turn
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_617f0563
comment
Heel–Face Turn: It's rare, but occasionally some villains turn their backs on evil and become better people.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_617f0563
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_64e975cf
type
Manly Tears
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_64e975cf
comment
Manly Tears: Ichi is driven close to this now and then, when he is forced to kill an honourable opponent such as Hirate.
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_6bda9a30
type
Meaningful Name
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_6bda9a30
comment
Meaningful Name: Ichi means 'one' in Japanese. The title "Zatoichi" can be read several ways, including "Number One/Greatest Blind Man" or "lowest-ranked blind man," as the name is also his title in the guild.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_6bda9a30
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_77494699
type
Iaijutsu Practitioner
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_77494699
comment
Iaijutsu Practitioner: Ichi is very, very good at this kind of move, either out of necessity or choice. One of the better moves is when the various mooks think they've got the drop on him, only for him to draw his sword and kill them in a split second.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_77494699
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_78f72406
type
Endearingly Dorky
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_78f72406
comment
Endearingly Dorky: Ichi, when he's not being serious, is a seemingly clumsy and rather endearingly sweet man. The clumsiness may be an act, but his disposition is genuine.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_78f72406
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7e6c0522
type
Off with His Head!
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7e6c0522
comment
Off with His Head!: One of the main villains of Zatoichi The Outlaw receives the honor of being the first decapitation in the series.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7e6c0522
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7eb73553
type
Bullying a Dragon
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7eb73553
comment
Bullying a Dragon: Pretty much all the Yakuza pick on Ichi, seeing a blind masseur as an easy target. They almost always regret it moments later.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7eb73553
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 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7f6c8e4f
type
Reverse Grip
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7f6c8e4f
comment
Reverse Grip: How Ichi holds his sword. Since he uses his sword as a cane as well, this is justified so Ichi does not need to change his grip.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_7f6c8e4f
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type
Conservation of Ninjutsu
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_82f5ced1
comment
Conservation of Ninjutsu: In the 2003 film, Ichi kills 5 ninjas with the usual lack of effort.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_82f5ced1
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_82f5ced1
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1.0
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_82f5ced1
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_868409c
type
Broken Pedestal
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_868409c
comment
Broken Pedestal: Ichi looks up to Banno, his mentor who taught him everything he knows about swordmanship. That is until his mentor kills an unarmed man and gets involved with Tengu gang. Ichi eventually takes it upon himself to destroy Tengu gang and kill his own mentor in a sword duel.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_868409c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_868409c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_868409c
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_86bb7d97
type
Cultured Badass
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_86bb7d97
comment
Cultured Badass: Ichi can not only swordfight, he's a successful masseur. Sometimes he also shows off his musical ability and knowledge of acupuncture. This is Truth in Television, as blind people often took up these roles in real life Edo period Japan.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_86bb7d97
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_86bb7d97
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_86bb7d97
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_92f863b6
type
Revival
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_92f863b6
comment
Revival: The 1989 movie Zatoichi (subtitled Darkness Is His Ally for the US) is Katsu's swan-song for the character. It's Bloodier and Gorier and Hotter and Sexier than any before it, and since Katsu is pushing 60 Ichi is now a Cool Old Guy.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_92f863b6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_92f863b6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_92f863b6
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9d0730f8
type
Badass and Child Duo
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9d0730f8
comment
Badass and Child Duo: In Fight, Zatoichi, Fight and Zatoichi Challenged, they have him protecting a child.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9d0730f8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9d0730f8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9d0730f8
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9e943076
type
One-Man Army
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9e943076
comment
One-Man Army: Ichi regularly cuts down large groups of Yakuza with the climax of one film have him fighting a hundred men.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9e943076
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9e943076
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_9e943076
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7aef9ff
type
Obfuscating Stupidity
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7aef9ff
comment
Obfuscating Stupidity: Ichi being a genuine Nice Guy to the innocent is no act. Ichi acting so foolish, however, is.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7aef9ff
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7aef9ff
featureConfidence
1.0
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7aef9ff
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7b324e
type
Handicapped Badass
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7b324e
comment
Handicapped Badass: One of the most famous, and most well portrayed. It's very obvious that Ichi is blind- he stumbles about being very careful of his footing, and almost never directly faces the person he's talking to- but while none of it is an act, that's not to say he doesn't use it to his advantage.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7b324e
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1.0
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a7b324e
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a8c462db
type
Super-Senses
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a8c462db
comment
Super-Senses: Ichi's hearing, which is his primary method of navigation.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a8c462db
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a8c462db
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_a8c462db
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_aa07ca54
type
Obfuscating Disability
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_aa07ca54
comment
Obfuscating Disability: The Kitano version. Though at the end he hints that he was just bluffing.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_aa07ca54
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_aa07ca54
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_aa07ca54
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ab6e01e
type
Clean Cut
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ab6e01e
comment
Clean Cut: While especially infrequent in the original series, as it progressed, there would be limbs lopped off occasionally, notably in Zatoichi the Outlaw. Happens several times in the 2003 film.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ab6e01e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ab6e01e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ab6e01e
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_af3ea0e3
type
Face–Heel Turn
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_af3ea0e3
comment
Face–Heel Turn: boss Asagoro in Zatoichi the Outlaw starts as a seemingly benevolent Yakuza boss, but later turns out to be evil and corrupt. Another possible example is Ichi's lost love Otane, who might well have been ready to sell him out for the bounty on him if her husband is to be believed after killing her and dueling Ichi (That said, both Ichi and the viewer are clearly shown how she tries to protect Ichi throughout the entire film to the point her husband kills her for it, either throwing the claim in the trash or insinuating she had a change of heart).
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_af3ea0e3
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_af3ea0e3
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_af3ea0e3
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b01abe4f
type
Catchphrase
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b01abe4f
comment
Catchphrase: Darkness is my advantage (Kurayami nara kocchi no mon da). Usually uttered after he cuts down the nearest lanterns and candles to put opponents on an equal footing.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b01abe4f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b01abe4f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b01abe4f
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b1346878
type
Fate Worse than Death
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b1346878
comment
Fate Worse than Death: In the 2003 Movie, Ichi slashes the Big Bad right in the eyes, sentencing him to live his last remaining years struggling in darkness.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b1346878
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b1346878
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b1346878
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b7e0c5ff
type
Love Triangle
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b7e0c5ff
comment
Love Triangle: Ichi becomes involved in one in Zatoichi The Fugitive (1963)
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b7e0c5ff
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b7e0c5ff
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_b7e0c5ff
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bbfaa837
type
Knight Templar
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bbfaa837
comment
Knight Templar: Master Akatsuka from Zatoichi Challenged was tasked by the government to get rid of the Pornography ring by any means necessary.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bbfaa837
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bbfaa837
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bbfaa837
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bdddc73e
type
Yakuza
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bdddc73e
comment
Yakuza: Ichi's enemies are nearly always gangsters, their being the only faction other than soldiers to defy the law by openly carrying blades.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bdddc73e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bdddc73e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_bdddc73e
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c091ce5f
type
Samurai
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c091ce5f
comment
Samurai and Rōnin (Ichi himself technically does not qualify as either of them, as he's in the blind men's guild) He does kill quite a few of them in his movies, though. One of the most famous examples is the noble fallen samurai Hirate in the first film, who treats Ichi with utter respect and care despite his lower class.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c091ce5f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c091ce5f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c091ce5f
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c36cba70
type
Mooks
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c36cba70
comment
Mooks: The Yakuza Ichi fights in vast numbers were, in the notes of one DVD, described outright as redshirts.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c36cba70
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c36cba70
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c36cba70
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c3b32bf1
type
Rōnin
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c3b32bf1
comment
From The Tale of Zatoichi: Hirate, a Rōnin from Edo, is employed by the Shigezo's Sasagawa yakuza, while Ichi is being hosted by their enemies, Sukegoro's Ioka gang. Hirate and Ichi both recognize each other as more honorable than the yakuza around them, and treat each other with friendship and respect. Hirate's tuberculosis puts him out of action just before the big showdown between the gangs, and since Shigezo had been depending on Hirate as the only fighter on the Sasagawa side who could possibly take Ichi in a sword fight, he prepares instead to have one of his men shoot Ichi from a distance with an arquebus. Hirate is so aghast when he hears about this plan that he summons the last of his strength to face Ichi with his sword, knowing that his worthy opponent will be shot down like a dog if he doesn't.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c3b32bf1
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c3b32bf1
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_c3b32bf1
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_dc0d80ee
type
High-Pressure Blood
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_dc0d80ee
comment
High-Pressure Blood: Probably one of the oldest examples. Given the fact that the 2003 Film was directed by "Beat" Takeshi Kitano (a Comedian), every cut is intentionally Bloody Hilarious.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_dc0d80ee
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_dc0d80ee
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_dc0d80ee
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_e0c00a95
type
Absurdly Sharp Blade
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_e0c00a95
comment
Absurdly Sharp Blade: Ichi's cane sword can cut diagonally through statues, easily cut katanas in half, and of course, kill people in a single swipe. Given that cane swords of the era were usually of terrible quality, this tends to be quite unrealistic, though it's confirmed later in the series that Ichi's is a unique case.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_e0c00a95
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_e0c00a95
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_e0c00a95
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ea2e9f2d
type
No Ending
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ea2e9f2d
comment
No Ending: Played with in the second film The Tale of Zatoichi Continues. At the end of the film, Ichi's brother has just died and the villain responsible approaches him with a bunch of his Mooks in tow, ready to cut to black. Ichi angrily strikes down the Big Bad and then... "The End" pops up on the screen it's over before the mooks even have a chance to attack Ichi. Still, the next film makes it obvious Ichi survived even though we never saw the resultant fight if there was one.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ea2e9f2d
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ea2e9f2d
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1.0
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ea2e9f2d
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eb7c34cf
type
Crossover
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eb7c34cf
comment
Crossover: Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman and Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eb7c34cf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eb7c34cf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eb7c34cf
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eba6a077
type
Cain and Abel
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eba6a077
comment
Cain and Abel: Ichi and his elder brother Yoshiro, a one armed warrior played by Shintaro Katsu's real life elder brother. The two had a falling out over a woman and Ichi's brother is willing to murder him for it, particularly as Ichi was the one to chop off his arm. They make their final peace after their last duel.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eba6a077
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eba6a077
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_eba6a077
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ed4415e4
type
Jidaigeki
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ed4415e4
comment
Jidaigeki: The 2003 Movie though seems to take place towards the tail-end of the Edo period, just before the Meiji Restoration and the massive wave of modernization that followed. The Katsu movies take place a couple decades earlier, but still towards the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ed4415e4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ed4415e4
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1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_ed4415e4
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f0c4ce7d
type
The Lost Lenore
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f0c4ce7d
comment
The Lost Lenore: Ichi has left behind a lot of women, but none stick out so much as Otane, the woman he left behind in the first film. It is strongly implied later that Ichi puts her on an unhealthy pedestal later and refuses to acknowledge how much she'd changed when he encountered her again. Her husband even taunts Ichi, asking if he thinks women remain pure forever. It's even indicated Otane was the one who tried to lure him into a trap for a bounty (Which, considering her actions during the film and her cause of death, the claim is suspect).
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f0c4ce7d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f0c4ce7d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f0c4ce7d
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f7257495
type
Hustling the Mark
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f7257495
comment
Hustling the Mark: Ichi sometimes runs a con to make extra money. He'll host an Odd-Even dice game and play up his blindness by "accidentally" letting the dice slip out of the cup before calling bets. When he raises the stakes and gets players to bet on the same "mistake", he'll then notice that the dice "slipped out of his pocket" and reveal his winning bet was what was under the cup this time.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f7257495
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f7257495
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_f7257495
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_fccd06b6
type
Beware the Nice Ones
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_fccd06b6
comment
Beware the Nice Ones: Ichi is a good person, but he has no mercy for wicked people who harm the innocent, especially women and children.
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_fccd06b6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_fccd06b6
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_fccd06b6
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_name
type
ItemName
 Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_name
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Zatoichi (Franchise) / int_name
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Zatoichi (Franchise)

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
A Fistful of Rehashes / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Absurdly Sharp Blade / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Action Genre / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Adaptational Nationality / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Adventure Towns / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Almighty Janitor / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Badass Back / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Battle in the Rain / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Blind Weaponmaster / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Cain and Abel / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Diagonal Cut / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Directed by Cast Member / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Eyes Always Shut / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Films of the 2010s – Franchises / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Harmful to Minors / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
High-Pressure Blood / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Iaijutsu Practitioner / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Improbable Hairstyle / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Jidaigeki / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Kill the Lights / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Master Swordsman / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Named After Somebody Famous / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Otaku / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Playing Both Sides / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Primary-Color Champion / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Razor-Sharp Hand / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Reverse Grip / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Samurai / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Smoking Is Cool / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Step into the Blinding Fight / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
The Drifter / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
The Man Behind the Man / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Throwing Your Sword Always Works / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Walking the Earth / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Weak, but Skilled / int_8bc62500
 Zatoichi (Franchise)
hasFeature
Your Eyes Can Deceive You / int_8bc62500