Zatoichi or Lone Wolf and Cub

[Guest HANZOSTEEL]

Sup boys, i need your opinions on which of the. two Series is Better The Lone Wolf and Cub

series or the Long Running Zatoichi series. I will the "peoples" advice here to guide me in

choosing which one to collect first. So which one is better Lone Wolf And Cub or Zatoichi?

I have a couple of Questions im not familiar with either one really. Arent they both in Black

in white? And if you choose one over the other why?

Thank you all.

[Guest Daisho2004]

HanzoSteel, where have you been? There is no comparison with these (2) movies. Lone Wolf & Cub is AWESOME! Plain & Simple. Now don't get me wrong Zatoichi is Awesome in its own right but doesn't compare to the LW&C series. And only the 1st.&2nd. Zatoichi movies are in Black&White the rest are in color. And all the LW&C movies are in color.

As far as why I think the LW&C series are better it has to do with the Action it is second to none, but than again Zatoichi has some great Action scenes in the movies as well. So it really is just a matter of personal choice.

PS: If you need more help feel free to ask.

[Guest GwaiLoMoFo]

As much much as I like the Zatoichi series I would buy the LW&C series twice before buying Zatoichi. Like Daisho said, the Zatocihi films are all recommended viewing. A very enjoyable series. But LW&C films are a must own for everyone!

[Guest Tokenganja Clan]

I also cant believe u havnt checked out the Lone Wolf and Cub movies!! But then again, i never saw Drunken Master!! Definitely the best series out of the 2. Get them as soon as u can brother!! U will most definitely enjoy!!

[Guest pressureworld]

Lone Wolf has the action without a doubt but make sure you don't sleep on the blind masseur Zatoichi is a great series actually it's my favorite of any series the stories are great and ichi is a wolf in sheeps clothing, both are essential.

[Guest HANZOSTEEL]

Sounds like Lone Wolf and Cub is the way to go. I have not had time to delve deep into the samurai

films as much as id like to. I guess i own around 150 Japanese films or more but ive never felt com

-pelled to get into Lone Wolf and Cub or Zatoichi because they are Long and Short Running Serials.

I have however checked out Red Peony 1-6 and Sleepy eyes of Death, Crimson Bat. interesting.

Thank you. as i have mentioned it looks like Lone Wolf and Cub

[Guest Daisho2004]

HanzoSteel its funny because most people seem to have gotten into the Samurai genre from watching the original "Shogun Assassin". And if you have about a 150 movies than I'm even more surprised that you haven't gotten into either of these (2) series sooner. And don't get me wrong the "Sleepy Eyes of Death" is one of my Favorite series as well.

[Guest Tosh]

I kind of feel both characters are somewhat similar for obvious reasons, but with different motives (and source material). LWaC has a more darker - hell bent on revenge - exploitation feel to to, while Zatoichi plays out more like a standard Chambra with a twist. Both are essential.

Since there are only 6 Lone Wolf movies, I'd start out with some Zatoichi flicks first, with over 100 movies and tv shows ,which are just as good, it's hard to believe, but I never seen one I didn't like. Check out Katsu's first flick, and a couple others (the 3rd one is one of my favorites, where he meets up with his master, or festival of Fire(21, with the great Nakadai), or fight Zatachi, fight(8) ), then check out LWaC for some of the best sword action ever put to screen.

[Guest HANZOSTEEL]

Daisho, i realize this but there are just so many movies to watch and for the last six months i have been

exploring Shaw Brothers and starting to watch some Pink Eiga. I have Shogun Assasin as well however

i have not watched that one either. There are just too many movies to watch. My collection is pretty small

compared to some but it does not matter to me much. I watch them when i can. It's strange i go on a

martial binge and then i dont watch anything, then i watch some Japanese Horror... I guess it depends

on what i get. Everything will have it's turn im sure of it.

Ya here's my list lots of Japanese movies. I must say i never thought the world was as compelling as i

had found it to be. My first samurai besides Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai was Under the blossoming

Cherry Trees' Imagine that huh. Loved it.

2LDK (2002)

Angel Guts: The Nikkatsu Series High School Co-ed (1978)

Angel Guts: The Nikkatsu Series Nami (1979)

Angel Guts: The Nikkatsu Series Red Classroom (1979)

Angel Guts: The Nikkatsu Series Red Porno (1981)

Angel Guts: The Nikkatsu Series Red Vertigo (1988)

Ansatsu (1964)

Azumi (2003)

Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005)

Beautiful Girl Hunter (1979)

Black Cat's Revenge (Meiko Kaji)

Blind Beast (1979) (no English option)

Blind Woman's Curse Aka Tatooed Swordswoman (Meiko Kaji)

Castle Of Owls/samurai Spies

Chinese Torture Chamber Story

Chushingura

Contempory Tales of Chivalry (1965)

Convent of the Sacred Beast. (1974)

Crimson Bat “Watch Outâ€

Crimson Bat “The Blind Swordsmanâ€

Crimson Bat “Wanted Dead or Aliveâ€

Crimson Bat “Trappedâ€

Cutie Honey (2 Disc)

Daredevil in The Castle

Dark Water (2002) (Wide Sight)

Dragon princess (Etsuko Shihomi)

Dreams (Akira Kurosawa)

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion (1972) (Meiko Kaji)

Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (1972) (Meiko Kaji)

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion ' Beast Stable (1973) (Meiko Kaji)

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion ' Grudge Song (1974) (Meiko Kaji)

Female Yakuza Tale (R1 NTSC, Panik House) (Reiko Ike)

Festival Of Swordsman

Flowers On The Road

Goblin In Stirrups

Gohatto (1999)

Hari Kari (2 Disc) Special Edition

Hibari Juhachiban Benten Kozo

Hibari Is Fashion Crazy

Hidden Fortress (Akira Kurosawa)

High School Ghost Hustlers

Horrible High Heels

Evil Dead Trap (1998) (Synapse)

Ikiru (Akira Kurosawa)

Inferno of Torture (1969)

Jeans Blues: No Future (Meiko Kaji)

Jigoku kozou (2005) -- ( Hell Boy ) (no English option)

Ju On

Kadakawa Horror Collection, The Brentwood Home Video/Deimos)

Inugami (2001)

Shikoku (1999)

Shadow Of The Wrath (2001)

Isola “the multiple personality girl†(2000)

Kagemaru of the Iga Clan

Kagemusha (2 Disc) (Akira Kurosawa)

Kakashi

Kisaragi Sword, The (1962)

Kunicho Ninpoden : Demon House Lady (1998)

Kuroneko (R2 PAL, Eureka Masters of Cinema) (1968)

Lady Sen And Hideyori

Lady Snowblood ( Shurayukihime ) (1973) (Meiko Kaji)

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance (1974) (Meiko Kaji)

Legend of The Eight Samurai

Meiko Kaji “Ace†CD (Meiko Kaji)

Meiko Kaji “Syura No Hana†CD (Meiko Kaji)

Meiko Kaji “Zenkyokusyu†CD (Meiko Kaji)

Ninja Hunt, The

Onibaba (1964)

One Missed Call - (2004) (Wide Sight)

Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police

Onna dorei-sen aka Female Slave Ship (1960)

Onna Shikei-shu no Datsugoku AKA Death Row Woman (1960)

Pale Flower (1964)

Pinky Violence Collection, Delinquent Girl Boss (Reiko Oshida)

Pinky Violence Collection Girl Boss Guerilla (Miki Sugimoto)

Pinky Violence Collection Criminal Woman Killing Melody (Reiko Ike)

Pinky Violence: Terrifying Girls' High School; “Lynch Law Classroom†(Miki Sugimoto)

Portrait Of Hell (1969)

Princess Blade, The

Ran (Akira Kurosawa)

Red Beard (1968) (Akira Kurosawa)

Red Lion

Red Cherry Blossom Family Of Kanto

Red Peony Gambler “Lady Yakuza†(1968)

Red Peony Gambler II “Gamblers Obligation†(1968)

Red Peony Gambler III “Hanafuda Game†(1969)

Red Peony Gambler IV “Second Generation Ceremony†(1969)

Red Peony Gambler V “Notorious Gambler†(1969)

Red Peony Gambler VI “Here comes Oryu†(1970)

Red Spectacles

Rhapsody In August

Rise Against The Sword (Toshiro Mifune)

Ronin Gai (1990)

Rurouni Kenshin

Samurai Assasin

Samurai Rebellion

Sakuya Yokaiuden - Slayer of Demons

Sanjuro (Akira Kurosawa)

Sex And Fury (Reiko Ike)

Scandalous Adventures Of Buraikan, The (1970)

Shinobi No Mono

Shogun Assasin (1980) (AnimEigo)

Shoguns Joy of Torture (1968)

Shoguns Ninja

Shogun's Sadism: Ushizaki No Kei (1976)

Sister Street Fighter (Etsuko Shihomi)

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Chinese Jade†I

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Sword of Adventure†II

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Full Circle Killing†III

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Sword of Seduction†IV

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Sword of Fire†V

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Sword of Satan†VI

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Princess Mask†VII

Sleepy Eyes of Death “Sword That Saved Edo†VIII

Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter (R1 NTSC, HVE) (1970) (Meiko Kaji)

Street Fighter

Street Fighter, Return Of

Stray Doggs (Akira Kurosawa)

Suicide Club (99 Minute Unrated Version) (2002)

Sukeban Deka (The Movie)

Sword Of Doom

Tengu Priest

Tiara Clan, The

Throne Of Blood (Akira Kurosawa)

Twilight Samurai

Ugetsu (1953)

Under The Blossoming Cherry Trees (1975)

Wandering Ginza Butterfly (Meiko Kaji)

Watari the Ninja Boy

Yojimbo (Akira Kurosawa)

Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs (1974) (Miki Sugimoto) (Discotek)

[Guest morgoth]

I can't decide between Zatoichi and LW&C, I love them both so much.

[Guest Daisho2004]

HanzoSteel you have a nice little collection and you have a few movies that I don't and never heard of either, but I like to think I have a nice collection and its always growing maybe that's why I'm always broke ha,ha,ha but seriously, I don't have all the time I'd like to watch all my movies. I jump to different genre's all the time, and I love my Shaw Brothers movies but the Japanese cinema to me just has some of the best action movies that I've ever seen. But once you watch the LW&C and Zatoichi series you'll look at Samurai movies in a whole new way. Let us know when you finally get a chance to watch some I'd like to know what you thought of them and what you think is the differences between these (2) series.

[Guest vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

If ya want to get a good start with Zatoichi you might wanna check out these few first.

Life And Opinion Of... (Zatoichi's 1st film)

Zatoichi And The Fugitives

Zatoichi Meets The One Armed Swordsman (w/Jimmy Wang Yu and Chang Yi awesome flick)

Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (this film kicks some ass as well w/ Toshiro Mifune)

Zatoichi Blind Swordsman's Vengeance

Zatoichi The Festival Of Fire (w/Tatsuya Nakadai)

The Lone Wolf And Cub series are all very action oriented so it dosen'y really matter which ones you pick up first. Probably in the order they were released.

[Guest morgoth]

I think the biggest difference is that Zatoichi is a joker, and Ito is always deadly serious.

The movies are great for so many reasons. Zatoichi movies feel real. LW&C is kind of like a dark cartoon with crazy villains and blood spraying all over the place. The sex is also on a higher level with LW&C.

[Guest GwaiLoMoFo]

Only complaint I have about the Zatoichi films is that after a while they become repetative and predictable. i didnt really find much difference between the TV shows and the films. I guess they just stuck with their winning formula. Im interested to see how well the last half of the Zato films did at the boxoffice compared to the first half. Still a good series though.

[Guest Daisho2004]

GLMF its true about them being repetitive, if you've seen the 1st. few TV movies some of them were cut down from the original movies I would like to have seen Zatoichi a little darker in some of the movies. Instead of always being so happy go lucky. The only time he wasn't playing is when the Sword was Drawn. That's why I liked the remake of Zatochi he was a totally different character, more ruthless didn't take nothing from nobody.

[Guest inchilottaP]

Are you talking about Zatoichi 89' daisho?

That theme song still haunts me.

It's hard to pick between the two series.Katsu is just so damn charismatic you can usually overlook the formula of the films most of the time.

I do like that the Ichi movies don't get trashy like the Lone Wolf movies have a tendency to do at times.

[Guest Daisho2004]

inchilottaP, I was talking about the 2004' remake starring Takeshi,Kitano