i agree with most if not all of the previous commenter tom ( bighouseaz @ yahoo . com ) . the zatoichi series be a great character study combine with great sword fighting and excitement . i have see zatoichi 1 13 and 15 and 16 while i believe 14 have not be release on zone 1 ( usa ) . zatoichi the outlaw be disappoint . the story line be complicate and and seem to be a hodgepodge of many previous zatoichi story line . at one point and i be wonder if i be not see a remake of a previous zatoichi film . this film be disappointing because it start to depend on effect ( a head rolling and limb sever and blood ) and less on the nobility of the zatoichi character . all the previous film succeed base on the storyline and action and and win a great follow without have to resort to effect . i be just hop that the remain zatoichi film do not follow the same trend . this be the first zatoichi film from his studio . i highly recommend all the previous zatoichi film and recommend them .