Hiroki Matsukata this time plays Nemuri Kyoshiro. It seems the series takes a new turn with new lead and new direction style. I felt it was less focused on Nemuri Kyoshiro than before.
Action sequences were good and not much change there besides the full moon cut was visualized a bit different from the last entries.
I do prefer Raizô Ichikawa as Nemuri Kyoshiro but my main objection compared with Hiroki Matsukata was really the weird eye makeup Hiroki was wearing. It was big shoes to fill after 11 episodes (all worth seeing in my opinion) but I think Hiroki did alright. But the style was a bit different and not so much focus on Nemuri this movie.
Would I recommend this? yes I think storywise it was good. Not as good as I think the last 3-4 with Raizô (which I enjoyed very much). But an entertaining series that you deserve to see if you are fan of old samurai films.