The 21st Zatoichi film seems to get just about everything right from the beginning. There's a wonderful balance throughout this movie of everything that makes an Ichi film good. All aspects, from the action to the romance and humor are entertaining and the movie length is just about perfect. There's definitely a lot to like about this one.

This time around Ichi seems to be on everyone in the towns' most wanted list. After rescuing a woman who was sold off to a lecherous man, he is subsequently accused of having sex with her by her jealous husband. His character is an interesting one, green-eyed to a fault. Even after she is killed, he still traverses the land to challenge Zatoichi since he was the last one to be with her when she was living. This early encounter plays into many of Ichi's later quarrels with the Yakuza, as the husband often steps in before Ichi is attacked, claiming that killing the masseur is his sole responsibility.

Most of the characters introduced in "Festival of Fire" are interesting in their own regard. There's the effeminate son of Migi the Lieutenant, who both excels at pimping his women and at being incredibly ambiguous. He's dying to become a man and join the Yakuza, and his attraction to Ichi isn't solely based around his connections to the underworld. The Dark Imperial Lord is also compelling in his connection to Zatoichi through the perspective of sightlessness. Although he recognizes Ichi's skills and merit, this also makes him a threat to the gang's overall ambitions.

There's a spot of would-be romance in "Festival of Fire" as well. Ichi falls for a gorgeous woman named Okiyo that he meets in the gambling halls. This all works out in favor of the gangs, however, as she is the daughter of Lt. Migi and holds a powerful grip on our hero's heart from the moment they meet. This proves to be a power play in the Yakuza's struggle against the blind swordsman, as Okiyo gets closer and closer to Ichi with the Lord's newly implanted plans for her to kill him, since none of their swordsmen can get within a few paces of Ichi and live.

All the performances in the film are great, and Katsu shines once again as the blind masseur. There's a great amount of humor he instills into his character that makes this series so unique. It mixes in with the action perfectly, as is exhibited in the stand out scene of the film. A nude brawl that ensues in the bath house due to an ambush on Ichi is one of a kind. Slapstick and blood blend together as naked Zatoichi fends off a room full of Yakuza. Though there is very little bloodshed in this movie, the few times it does occur command greater attention.

The rest of the action scenes are as swift as a fan of the series would expect. Zatoichi is consistently accurate in dispatching his enemies, so the fights are sudden and short. I've never seen one man so constantly ambushed in my life. It doesn't matter where or when it is, assassins are coming out of the woodwork in "Festival of Fire". 

It's hard to imagine that any actor could capture the spirit of Zatoichi the way Katsu does. His wandering blind stare and his unique gait have no comparison. His character combines with great music, an interesting story and a good combination of humor and action making "Festival of Fire" one of the most overall enjoyable additions to the long history of Zatoichi films that has been wonderfully restored by Animeigo and should be seen by fans and those new to Zatoichi alike.