Zatoichi (座頭市 Zatōichi) is a fictional character feature in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The enduring popularity of the character has been likened to that of James Bond in Western countries. Unlike Bond, however, whose character has been portrayed by a long list of actors, Zatoichi has become almost synonymous with only one actor: Shintaro Katsu. The only other actor to portray Zatoichi on film is Takeshi Kitano, after a hiatus of almost 15 years (and the death of Katsu).