The other critics are off base comparing Crimson Bat to Zatoichi. They are different films with different tones, delivering different messages. Zatoichi is highly dramatic and incorporates zen Bushido. Judged on it's own merits, Crimson Bat is a less preachy action flick with a female lead who kicks butt. It has a seventies feel due to its music, sound effects, and color schemes. I enjoy the use of dramatic lighting of black and white noir film applied to color. You get a sword fight in every town and on every road as Oichi rights injustice and avoids bounty hunters. More akin to television westerns, it has better production value than Bruce Lee films and is simply entertaining.