Norihei Miki

Black Rain’s Hiroshima bombing scenes are perhaps the most nightmarish, visceral recreation of their kind. But the deeply moving tragedy of the film comes more from how attempts at normalcy for survivors are thwarted; be it from delayed illness via the nuclear fallout or societal stigmas.

After the long (26 film!) road of the Zatoichi series, which was later remade by Takeshi Kitano, it finally ended with this concluding entry directed by the blind swordsman himself: Shintarô Katsu. The dark shadows of regret, retribution, and redemption are cast over this tale of endings.