Top 10 Physically Disabled Film Characters

3. Zatoichi €“ Various Films 1962 - 2010

The Japanese character, Zatoichi, originally appeared in the 60s and was a minor character that rose to greater fame. Films featuring Zatoichi are set during the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan, defined by its strict social policies and insulationist foreign policy, and begin with Zatoichi appearing as harmless blind masseur and gambler. However the truth that Zatoichi is a master at using his special cane-swords (shikomi-zue) and is a protector of the innocent which leads him into conflict with the Yakuza gangsters.

An adaptation of Zatoichi was introduced to western audiences with Blind Fury (1989) starring Rutger Hauer as a blinded Vietnam veteren version of the hero. Despite being quite well received this series did not go on to spawn a series.

Zatoichi is pretty bad-ass with common traits of the films being the saying 'darkness is his advantage', putting out candles with his sword, being able to hear whether a die has landed odd or even when gambling and just generally being ruthless when it comes to gangsters despite not being able to see. Observe below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNlSoDoEHbQ