I've read a few reviews that back up how I feel about this third entry in the Outlaw series, which is that it is actually a prequel rather than a sequel. There is no mention of anything related to the other 2 films, and the girlfriend Goro talks about is not the one we knew from them either.

Speaking of which, something very weird here: Matsubara Chieko plays basically the same girl as in the other 2 movies but is somehow a different character named Keiko this time. It's jolting and distracting and unnecessary, so it boggles my mind why they chose to do this, but whatever.

While is somewhat sticks to the formula we've been given so far, it isn't as overdone as in the second film. That said, I did find this one dragging a bit from time to time. Even though the fight scenes improved a little, I can't help but feel this one is a step or two backwards in quality. I'm left with a feeling of indifference, overall. It's a must watch if you're going through all six films in the series, but it's best to look to it as a sort of prequel focused on a younger Goro.