Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
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.
Where to watch Zatoichi and the Chess Expert in United States
Criterion Channel
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open Zatoichi and the Chess Expert there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Criterion Channel | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store |
| Canada | Criterion Channel | Apple TV Store |
| Japan | KADOKAWA channel Amazon Channel | Apple TV Store |
About Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is a 1965 Japanese-language adventure, action and drama film directed by Kenji Misumi. The cast is led by Shintarō Katsu, Mikio Narita, Kaneko Iwasaki. It has a runtime of 1h 27m. In United States, it is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert was produced by Daiei Film and made in Japan. It was released on December 24, 1965.
- Director
- Kenji Misumi
- Writers
- Daisuke Itō
- Release date
- December 24, 1965
- Original language
- Japanese
- Status
- Released
- Country
- Japan
- Production
- Daiei Film
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert cast & crew
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert was directed by Kenji Misumi and written by Daisuke Itō.
The cast features Shintarō Katsu as Zatoichi, Mikio Narita as Tadasu Jumonji, Kaneko Iwasaki as Otane, Gaku Yamamoto as Tomonoshin Sagawa, Tatsuo Endō as Yakuza boss of Ejimaya, and Kanae Kobayashi as Widow Tarozaemon.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Akira Ifukube, cinematography is by Chikashi Makiura, and it was produced by Hisashi Okuda.
Is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert worth watching?
At 1h 27m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy adventure, action, and drama, Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
In United States, you can stream Zatoichi and the Chess Expert on Criterion Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Shintarō Katsu
Zatoichi
Mikio Narita
Tadasu Jumonji
Kaneko Iwasaki
Otane
Gaku Yamamoto
Tomonoshin Sagawa
Saburo Date
Tatsuo Endō
Yakuza boss of Ejimaya
Takuya Fujioka
Ryo Horikawa
Rokkō Toura
Kanae Kobayashi
Widow Tarozaemon
Fujio Suga
Injury prone Banyu yakuza
Rokkō Toura
Crippled yakuza
More from the Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Zatoichi and the Chess Expert in United States?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is streaming on Criterion Channel in United States.
▸Is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert on Criterion Channel?
Yes — Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is currently available on Criterion Channel in United States.
▸What language is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert in?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is originally in Japanese. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert runs 1 hours 27 minutes (87 minutes).
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