I'm happy to review my favorite Lupin III TV special, Episode 0: First Contact. Actually, it's one of my favorite Lupin features period, and one of my favorite anime movies. It's got everything I'm looking for in a Lupin feature: a great heist, excellent character balance, spot-on action and comic beats, a living atmosphere, good tone, and enjoyable music. It's a blast from start to finish, hitting all the right emotional notes. Fortunately, Discotek recently had this dubbed into English and put on Blu-Ray. I jumped at the chance to do a video on this.

Episode 32, "Inquiry"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Yang Wenli is summoned to Heinessen to appear before a court of inquiry, which Frederica Greenhill notes isn't supported by any Free Planets Alliance laws. Nonetheless, Yang takes the trip and appears before the court. He is questioned about his actions during the civil war and other matters. Greenhill attempts to get Yang released, with no luck. Meanwhile, Geiersburg Fortress appears in the Iserlohn Corridor.

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Episode 31, "Lost Things"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Ernest Mecklinger, the "Artist Admiral" visits Hildegard von Mariendorf's ill cousin, Heinrich von Kümmel. Meanwhile, the plan to warp Geiersburg Fortress to the Iserlohn Corridor proceeds. Admiral Kempf, in charge of the operation, says his goodbyes to his family. After a warp test is successful, Reinhard visits the place where Kircheis died to remind himself to keep his ambitions going.

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Episode 30, "A Single Fine Thread"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: In the Domain of Phezzan, machinations are set in motion, as Adrian Rubinsky plans to move his support to Reinhard in hopes of taking control once he unites humanity. This surprises the representative of the church of Terra. Rupert Kesserling is sent out on behalf of Rubinsky to plant the seeds for the upcoming conflict, including drafting former Imperial officer Leopold Schumacher and former noble Count Alfred von Landsberg for the scheme.

I'm typing this in a particularly irate mood, because I'm sick, a package I've been waiting for is late (despite having paid extra to get it early), and several of my videos have been blocked on YouTube. There's not a whole lot of good tidings to give today. I'm just as liable to put a cigarette out in your eye socket. And I don't even smoke.

Episode 28, "Reformer"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: With Reinhard von Lohengramm the de facto leader of the Galactic Empire, he institutes several reforms that improves the lives of the citizens. Estates owned by the aristocracy are transformed into establishments for welfare of others. The principle of free speech is opened up. Fair trials and fair taxes are entrenched. Some criticize that since these changes are due to an individual and not the citizenry it may not be true reform, but an argument is made that reforms are reforms, nevertheless. Meanwhile, Paul von Oberstein adopts a stray dog.

Episode 27, "A Stormy Night"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: As the flashback continues, we see Wolfgang Mittermeyer arrested on Duke Braunschweig's authority. On a stormy night, Oscar von Ruenthal seeks the assistance of then Admiral Reinhard von Müsel and his friend Siegfried Kircheis. The two agree to intercede on behalf of Mittermeyer. Mittermeyer, in the meantime, is slated for torture, but resists his torturer. Braunschweig's nephew, Baron Flegel, arrives and likewise threatens harm to him, but Reuenthal appears with Müsel and Kircheis. Braunschweig's adjudant Ansbach then interferes and disappates the proceedings. Reunthal and Mittermeyer swear their loyalty to Reinhard.