From Fumihiko Sori, the director of Vexille and Ping Pong, comes the period martial arts action saga, Ichi, a bold, gender-bending reimagining of the classic Zatoichi series of films and TV shows that the Sunday Mirror has called a “super-stylish Japanese period action film.”

Originally created by novelist Kan Shimozawa, the eponymous hero – a blind masseur and master swordsman – has traditionally been a male character (previously played by stars such as Shintaro Katsu, Takeshi Kitano and, in Blind Fury, by Rutger Hauer). In a refreshing break from tradition that adds an intriguing twist to the story, Sori’s Ichi stars actress Haruka Ayase (Hero) in the title role playing a young and beautiful blind musician who also happens to be an adept swordswoman.

Co-starring Shido Nakamura (Red Cliff; Letters From Iwo Jima), Yosuke Kubozuka (Ping Pong) and Takao Osawa (Sky High), and with fight choreography by Hiroshi Kuze (responsible for the amazing sword fights in many of Akira Kurosawa’s epics, including Ran) and a superb musical score by award winning composer Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator), Ichi is a sublime and welcome addition to the Zatoichi movie canon.

ICHI (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£17.99) and Blu-ray (£24.99) by Manga Entertainment on 24th August 2009.