In this second video in Otaku Evolution‘s first 80s Month, I examine a… complicated Lupin III feature, Legend of the Gold of Babylon. Complicated because, by most metrics, it’s really pretty terrible. But it’s terrible in an academic sense. You should see it at least once. And you should watch THIS at least three times. I could use the hits.
Lupin III
Otaku Evolution Episode 126 – Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy
So, yeah, Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy is a noteworthy feature. A single, long-formed OVA, basically a movie, it follows the Lupin gang’s scramble to get to a family’s hidden treasure before a group of ninjas do, all while Zenigata pursues them. Not very unlike your average Lupin feature in that regard, but very well constructed in terms of production values, settings, the chase scenes, and some of the action and comedy. I call it a spiritual successor to Castle of Cagliostro, because it shares a few of the same visual and emotional touchstones. Too bad the English dub is substandard, but I’ll get into that at the end of the year. Just enjoy a short rundown and some highlights that illustrate why I think so highly of this title.
Lupin III Part V Episode 24 Review
Episode 20, “Viva Lupin III”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Shake Hands is in turmoil as governments of the world clamp down on PeopleLog to prevent leaks of classified information. This is the perfect time for Lupin, with allies past and present, to strike at their HQ once again. The plan is complicated by the US military doing some striking of their own, so our favorite felon has to be fleet to uncage Fujiko before everything collapses. Albert, meanwhile, has his own designs on PeopleLog’s resources, and Fujiko demands the answer to her important question. A mask flies off as the clock winds down for this fantastic Lupin series with one last hurrah!
Lupin III Part V Episode 23 Review
Episode 23, “Just Then, An Old Buddy Said Something”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Injured, Lupin is taken into custody by the ICPO, along with a regretful Goemon. Ami tries to reach out to her father, only to find that he’s more interested in PeopleLog than in her. While transferring Lupin to ICPO HQ in Lyon, the convoy carrying Lupin is stopped by Jigen, who uses an arsenal of weapons to free his colleagues. With Lupin rescued, Jigen advises Lupin to retire, as their business has gotten too risky. Lupin has different plans, though, exploiting PeopleLog to release classified information and causing a stir among world governments who look to regulate the platform. Can Lupin turn PeopleLog against Enzo? It’s an episode you’ll want to leak to the public!
Lupin III Part V Episode 22 Review
Episode 22, “Answer Me, Zantetsuken”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Fujiko is a prisoner of Enzo, the head of the Shake Hands group responsible for PeopleLog and Lupin’s current professional woes. Our sideburned swindler storms the headquarters with Jigen, Goemon, and Ami, to save Fujiko and take apart the pernicious program. However, incensed about being referred to as merely “Lupin’s underling”, and egged on by Enzo, Goemon makes a startling decision that halts the entire operation. How will Lupin answer Goemon’s wavering blade? No matter how you slice it, the ending of this entry is unforgettable!
Lupin III Part V Episode 21 Review
Episode 21, “An Outdated Master Thief”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Enzo, the president of Shake Hands, unveils his new app, PeopleLog, which compiles information about any person within moments, and supposedly blocks inaccurate information. While attempting to steal a statue, Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon are repelled by a public incident involving the app. While discussing the new phenomenon, the three are identified by a restaurant patron, and have difficulty escaping from the law and crowds. Beset on all sides by the police and old enemies looking to settle grudges, they decide to contact Ami for her expertise. Inspector Zenigata passes along to Lupin that Fujiko has been captured by Enzo, who sees the Lupin crew as outdated.
Lupin III Part V Episode 20 Review
Episode 20, “Zenigata, Gentleman Thief”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon return to small town in Russia where they’d previously pulled a heist, with the intention of grabbing more loot. However, every attempt they make is interrupted by three other thieves, and one is Inspector Zenigata! Apparently Pops, suffering amnesia, is going under the name Monety, and pulling capers to get closer to his lost memories. Is Lupin more concerned with returning his enemy to his normal state or rather outraged by the new competition? It’s a trip down memory lane in this competition to be the superior stealer!
Lupin III Part V Episode 19 Review
Episode 19, “A 7.62 mm Mirage”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: A wealthy man named Zylberstein challenges Lupin to a chess match by having people around him shot by a sniper. Lupin reluctantly accepts the bet of a million euros for the winner of the game, but is meanwhile targeted by the old man’s sniper, Mirage. Jigen, an old acquaintance of Mirage acts as a counter-sniper, and the ordeal becomes two simultaneous battles of skill. Can Jigen bring himself to kill this former comrade? It’s checkmate in this intense double attack!
Lupin III Part V Episode 18 Review
Episode 18, “Fujiko’s Souvenir”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: When Lupin’s toilet breaks, the gang are forced to quarrel over who uses Jigen’s, all the while trying to figure out why Fujiko is around, and warding off a clueless Inspector Zenigata. Will our favorite cast of thieves be able to keep hideout secret from the law? Will the men figure out what Fujiko’s hiding? It’s a domestic Lupin episode!
Comments:
I’m not really sure how to review this episode. Did you read my synopsis? That’s basically it, folks. Lupin’s toilet breaks because Fujiko leaves something in the tank (fortunately, not steaming upper decker). The gang argue over who gets to use the other one (does Goemon not have his own room?). Then Zenigata drops in when he smells Goemon’s cooking and is craving Japanese food. Then Fujiko retrieves the object she was hiding and we discover why she did it (kind of).
Lupin III Part V Episode 17 Review
Episode 17, “Introducing Detective Jim Barnett III”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Lupin is summoned to the home of Count Phillipe de Maunbassant’s widow, Isabelle, to solve the mystery of his murder. His reward for playing detective will be the jewel he’d previously attempted to steal from the couple. The suspects include a famous sommelier, the count’s nephew, and a business rival. However, Lupin must contend with a second murder, and the house is sealed until morning. Can famous detective “Jim Barnett” root out the killer and retrieve his prize? It’s a whodunit where the criminal ISN’T Lupin!