Episode 01, "Great Thief vs Lady Phantom Thief"
*****SPOILERS***** Synopsis: Master thief Lupin III crashes a marriage ceremony between a cult leader and his mistress. However, he soon finds out that the bride, a woman named Fujiko Mine, is after the same treasure that he is: the secret to a powerful drug the cult uses. The cult leader imprisons them both, intending to execute them. However they both manage a way out of their situation. Lupin suggests they compete for the prize. The two of them both find their way to where a giant statue made of the drug is. The police, led by Inspector Zenigata arrive thanks to a note Lupin sent. The island begins to fall apart, but Lupin has a plan, rocketing out on the statue, with Fujiko close behind. Ultimately, the statue falls into the ocean and dissolves, leaving traces of the drug on the surface of the water. Comments: I love me some Lupin III! I have to applaud this episode for doing what any other Lupin III TV series has done before: that is, do an episode that establishes Lupin. The first series’ first episode was about some criminal organization that had something vague against Lupin and he seemed more like a secret agent in that episode. The second series did a first episode that was a callback to the first series first episode, no heists there. The third series did a pretty mediocre "here we go again" kind of first episode. But this, this has a first encounter, that is the one between Lupin and Fujiko, establishes Lupin and Fujiko as thieves, establishes Lupin’s reputation, have an actual incident of stealing, and gives a pretty good view of what the franchise is as a whole. They even throw in the classic Lupin "I’m going to steal X" note. You’ve just got to love both Lupin and Fujiko in this episode. Fujiko is not ashamed to use her feminine charm (TITS) and cleverness to get what she wants, but Lupin is also very crafty and gets the better of her on occasion. They’re a great match for each other. But the way this episode plays out, Lupin seems very much the main character of this show that supposedly revolves around Fujiko. He’s got all the answers, all the moves, and he’s the one who comes the closest to claiming the treasure. There’s full-frontal nudity up the wazzoo in this. Even the opening credits depict nipple pinching. It tries to come off as classy and artsy, but it doesn’t quite make it. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem cheap and tawdry, either. It’s not exaggerated much and it seems more seductive, a means to an end. And just look at the art and animation of Takeshi Koike, the driving (lol) force behind Redline. The character art is very unique, but brings to mind the classic Lupin III manga by Monkey Punch. Lupin has a wealth of expressions, both subtle and wacky, and is rendered in a way that reveals his supreme confidence. They don’t shy away from Fujiko’s dangrous sexuality, either. Inspector Zenigata, who doesn’t do a lot in this episode, looks somewhat intimidating and hardboiled. I love the flare of the animation’s movements and how the art changes to reflect the action in it. The voice acting is rather excellent. I think this is some of Kanichi Kurita’s best work as Lupin. He can sound very cool and smooth, but also very silly, and expresses all of that very well. I didn’t think he could do this type of Lupin as well as Yasuo Yamada did in the first TV series, but he pulls it off rather well. And Miyuki Sawashiro, still fairly new to the part of Fujiko, came off youthful, vibrant, and sexy. I’m still waiting to hear more of Koichi Yamadera’s Inspector Zenigata. The music is, well, jazzy, but understated. It does help illuminate the mood of the actions, and gives it a classy atmosphere, but it’s not really remarkable in any way. I know it’s too early to say this, but I kind of miss Yuji Ono. Still, it’s not bad music in the slightest. Though it might disappoint those waiting to hear the second TV series theme music. The whole thing definitely feels a bit like the original manga, or the first TV series. It’s got a bit of a sternness to it, a feel of danger. I like it. Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5Lupin III
ANIME TOP TEN (LIST #2) – #6: Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Director(s): Hayao Miyazaki
Script: Haruya Yamazaki, Hayao Miyazaki
Music: Yuji Ohno
Actually, Castle of Cagliostro is pretty middling as a Lupin III feature. Lupin is more of a white knight than a rarely chivalrous pervert. Jigen and Goemon are barely there. Fujiko is obviously toned down. The feeling produced by the film is more of a storybook than a wild romp with the greatest thief in the world. But despite all that, or maybe even because of it, (depending on how you feel about Lupin’s usual adventures) this is an amazing film. Visually, it still looks gorgeous today. It’s stunning. Just the amount of detail is more than enough to make this a masterpiece on style alone. But it’s such an exciting movie, too. Lupin breaking into the titular castle is some of the best material committed to film. It really puts the viewer on the edge of their seat at the right moments, and at the back of their seat when it needs to be emotional (though sometimes overly sentimental). It’s such a well-crafted movie, one of Miyazaki’s best, and it definitely deserved this spot on the list, but it’s definitely more a Miyazaki work than a Lupin III film.
Lupin III: Blood Seal ~ Eternal Mermaid Review
"Blood Seal ~ Eternal Mermaid"
Synopsis: When Lupin steals a jewel called the "Mermaid’s Scale", he discovers it’s a fake. The real jewel, another one, and a person with an immortal body turn out to be keys to the treasure of the Yaobikuni. Wanting to prevent a dangerous arms dealer from taking the prize, Lupin and the gang decide to get to it first. However, they’ll have to deal with a dangerous assassin, the police force, and a fickle Fujiko. In the end, who’ll obtain the ancient treasure? A thief or a merchant of death? Comments:With Discotek releasing the original Lupin III TV series later this year (expect reviews), I was chomping at the bit to do something Lupin-related for Otaku Revolution. Luckily, there was a recently aired television special to watch and review! Even more fortunate, it was a pretty damn good one!
This was the first really fun ride for Lupin in a long while. The past few specials have been pretty terrible, especially the last one, The Last Job, wherein the running joke was Lupin being bitten on the ass by a ninja dog. This time around there were all the classic trademarks of Lupin: A heist, some chases, a secret treasure, a henchmen for Goemon to battle. Only the execution was really quite good. There were elements of past Lupin features like Plot of the Fuma Clan and Stolen Lupin, but with its own unique twists and turns.
New Lupin III anime CM
Anime Voice Talent Highlight #4: Yasuo Yamada
#4: Yasuo Yamada
It may seem silly to highlight a voice talent who’s known for playing one particular role, but when this particular VA’s performance in the role is so iconic, and has spanned decades in that role, it’s perfectly appropriate to me. Especially when the character he’s known for playing is a favorite anime character: Arsène Lupin III!