Star Shintaro Katsu sits in the director's chair for this psychedelic and unremittingly bleak entry in the Zatoichi series, which is unlike any other in its grind-house grimness. A tale of innocence corrupted by sadistic, sleazy criminality, the film is propelled by Easy Rider-esque editing and a trippy seventies funk score by Kunihiko Murai.

Director: Shintarô Katsu
Writers: Minoru Inuzuka, Kan Shimozawa (story)
Stars: Shintarô Katsu, Kiwako Taichi, Kyoko Yoshizawa