Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
1965, Japanese. Directed by Kenji Misumi.
Zatoichi makes friends with a dangerous chess player, while fending off angry yakuza and bloodthirsty relatives out for revenge, and trying to save a sick child. Meanwhile, his luck with dice is turning.
- Runtime
- 1h 27m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.7/10 from 45 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is streaming on Criterion Channel in India.
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Fandango At HomeAvailability in India as of 13 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Part of a series
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman: watch order
Cast & crew
- Kenji MisumiDirector
- Shintarō KatsuZatoichi
- Mikio NaritaTadasu Jumonji
- Kaneko IwasakiOtane
- Gaku YamamotoTomonoshin Sagawa
- Saburo DateCast
- Tatsuo EndōYakuza boss of Ejimaya
- Takuya FujiokaCast
- Ryo HorikawaCast
- Rokkō TouraCast
- Kanae KobayashiWidow Tarozaemon
- Fujio SugaInjury prone Banyu yakuza
- Rokkō TouraCrippled yakuza
Details
- Released
- 24 December 1965
- Original title
- 座頭市地獄旅
- Country
- Japan
- Written by
- Daisuke Itō
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
Watch before Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
In release order. The films it follows, and anything it builds on.
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
1962 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeEarlier in the series
New Tale of Zatoichi
1963 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeEarlier in the series
Zatoichi the Fugitive
1963 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Zatoichi on the Road
1963 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
1964 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
1964 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
1964 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Adventures of Zatoichi
1964 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Zatoichi's Revenge
1965 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
1965 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickEarlier in the series
After Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
What comes next in the series.
Zatoichi's Vengeance
1966 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickNext in the series
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
1966 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeNext in the series
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
1967 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeNext in the series
Zatoichi the Outlaw
1967 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickNext in the series
Zatoichi Challenged
1967 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeNext in the series
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
1968 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeNext in the series
If you liked Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman
1971 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
1966 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
1968 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Adventures of Zatoichi
1964 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
1962 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi's Revenge
1965 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
New Tale of Zatoichi
1963 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi the Outlaw
1967 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
1967 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi's Vengeance
1966 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert: quick answers
What should I watch before Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Watch Fight, Zatoichi, Fight (1964), Adventures of Zatoichi (1964), Zatoichi's Revenge (1965), and Zatoichi and the Doomed Man (1965) first, plus 6 earlier titles listed on this page.
What comes after Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Next in the series: Zatoichi's Vengeance (1966), Zatoichi's Pilgrimage (1966), and Zatoichi's Cane Sword (1967).
Is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.7/10 from 45 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert runs 87 minutes (1h 27m).
Does Zatoichi and the Chess Expert have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Zatoichi and the Chess Expert. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Zatoichi and the Chess Expert yet.
Which OTT platform is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert on?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is streaming on Criterion Channel in India. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
If you liked Zatoichi and the Chess Expert, try Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman, Zatoichi's Pilgrimage, Zatoichi and the Fugitives.
Who directed Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965) was directed by Kenji Misumi and stars Shintarō Katsu, Mikio Narita, Kaneko Iwasaki.