Takashi Miike × Sho Aikawa: Zatoichi (2008)

In addition to churning out crowd-pleasers like Crows Zero, Like a Dragon, and Sukiyaki Western Django, maverick director Miike Takashi also found time to return to theater in 2007. Following 2005's Demon Pond, the ever prolific Miike tries his hand at directing a stage play again, and this time his focus is none other than the most iconic of samurai, Zatoichi. Miike regular Sho Aikawa (Dead or Alive), in his first theatrical leading role, stars as the titular blind masseur with a deadly cane sword, previously made famous by Katsu Shintaro and Kitano Takeshi. Supporting cast members include Abe Sadao, Nagato Hiroyuki, and Endo Kenichi. Opening in December 2007, Miike's theatrical take on Zatoichi adds yet another feather to the director's loaded cap, thrilling viewers with a grand display of art, aesthetic, and action.