By | Published January 24, 2008

Apparently so. Shochiku recently put the finishing touches on ICHI, a new film based on the Zatoichi franchise with the famous blind sword hero now re-imagined as a female.

Haruka Ayase in ICHI

From Shochiku Films’ web site comes this mildly amusing synopsis:

The story follows, Ichi, a blind shamisen player, always facing those who treat her coldly, or try to take advantage of her. She stands tall in dignity, and her emotions burst with action with the sword that she swings to fight back. Through the eyes that Ichi cannot see, we reach her soul and the true relief when she finally connects with others by finding love and friendship.

Newcomer Haruka Ayase takes on the role made famous by the late Shintaro Katsu who played a blind masseuse and quickdraw swordsman in 27 feature films beginning in 1962. She will be only the second person to take up the mantle after Takeshi Kitano starred in his musically-infused 2003 version, ZATOICHI

ICHI is directed by Fumihiko Sori who recently helmed the sci-fi-themed feature-length anime, VEXILLE. The screenwriter is Taeko Asano (NANA). Swordplay action is choreographed by veteran Hiroshi Kuze (THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI).

The film is scheduled for release in Japan this fall.

Source:
Variety

  • C. Callaway

    ABOMINATION!

    I was willing to accept Takeshi Kitano’s take on Zatoichi, and he actually did a good job. But… he stayed within the framework of the original Zatoichi (although altered some aspects of the character). A female Zaotichi!?! What a joke… I guess this director is just trying to milk money from a popular franchise. What a shame.

    CC

  • rakugaki

    Please let me use your time machine so I can see this ‘abomination’ like you did.

  • Leeus

    This is the way to kill the franchise…

    Lets hope I’m wrong, and this turns out better than it sounds.

  • Jason

    Takeshi Kitano’s Zatoichi was horrible. This movie can’t be any worse.

  • Spicoli

    I will not see this, hell no!
    When are we getting a Takeshi Kitano Zatoichi sequel?Wasn’t he planning on making one?

  • walkerp

    Could be cool. Might not. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with putting a woman in the role.

  • blak000

    Umm… you guys DO realize that there was a blind female swordsman character long time ago? She was actually based on the Zatoichi character, as well, but that franchise actually did quite well.

  • daisho2004

    I’m actually looking forward to seeing this movie, from the preview it looks really good, I just hope that they put there on spin on “Zatoichi”, and its a stand alone movie, like Takeshi Kitano’s “Zatoichi” which I thought was really good.

  • G

    i saw it and i liked it

  • Dreamygirl

    I am looking forward to watching this movie. I haven’t seen the original one. I trust that Ayase will be a fantastic character in the movie. Those who saw the original one, please don’t criticize the movie just yet. Give it a chance. Watch it and then judge it. Thanks!