One of the most popular heroes in Japanese cinema, Zatoichi the blind swordsman inspired 26 feature films, more than 100 TV episodes, and countless comics and collectibles. But for a matinee idol, he receives a decidedly modest introduction: Instead of striding confidently into town like Toshirô Mifune in Akira Kurosawa's earlier Yojimbo, he paws across a thin wooden bridge on his hands and knees, a half-comic picture of vulnerability and haplessness. As played by Shintarô Katsu, Zatoichi cuts a less-than-imposing figure, with rotund features, a hunched posture, and a graceless waddle that makes him appear at times like a Japanese Jon Lovitz. But outside of his lightning-quick cane-sword, the element of surprise is his greatest asset: No matter how far his reputation travels, gangsters always assume they have an advantage over this blind, portly wanderer who fumbles his way into local turf wars. A masseur, a mercenary, and a gambler, Zatoichi resides at the bottom rung of the feudal ladder, yet he carries himself with honor, dignity, and scruffy charisma, which explains his enduring appeal to working-class audiences. The first two of 17 installments in a sterling new video and DVD series, The Tale Of Zatoichi and The Tale Of Zatoichi Continues set his irresistible mythos into motion, with simple stories and swift action scenes that capture the spirit of old-fashioned serial adventures. Following fast on the heels of Yojimbo, whose protagonist would team up with Zatoichi eight years later, the first episode plops its hero in a virtually identical situation, caught in the middle of gang warfare between two equally despicable camps. Aware of Zatoichi's prowess as a swordsman, a yakuza leader (Eijirô Yanagi) tries to recruit him to the Iioka clan. When word leaks out to the rival Sasakawa clan, they counter by hiring Shigeru Amachi, a swordsman with an equally formidable reputation. The climactic showdown may be inevitable, but the film underscores Zatoichi and Amachi's surprisingly touching bonding over the samurai code, which is the only justice that governs the lives of outlaws. Though comparatively light on action–the few combat scenes end nearly as quickly as Zatoichi's foes can hit the ground–The Tale Of Zatoichi does the more important work of establishing a hero worth rooting for: equal parts clown, grifter, ladies' man, and warrior. At a taut, economical 72 minutes, the second episode wastes no time in letting Zatoichi unsheathe his sword, which flashes with such a hummingbird's zip that the victim isn't aware he's been hit until the cut on his face opens up. Settling on a reliable formula, the film again works toward a mano-a-mano duel with dramatic underpinnings, this time between the hero and his estranged brother Tomisaburo Wakayama (Katsu's real-life brother), a one-armed samurai and roving bandit. With his unusually heightened senses, Zatoichi makes quick work of the flailing hacks sent by a crazed lord (Fujio Harumoto), but his brother's re-emergence digs up potent memories of past betrayals. Once again, scoundrels turn his sense of honor against him, but decency prevails against the numbers. Adding one more intriguing layer to the character, Zatoichi develops a taste for vengeance in the final moments, but his newfound bloodlust will have to wait until the next chapter.