Sorry, no commentary this time, either. I’ve been pretty depressed lately, and have to give all my energy to my next video. Please enjoy my video and contribute to my Patreon.
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– Penguin Truth
(2024)
I’ve got to say, The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is probably my favorite piece of Lupin III media, at least outside of Castle of Cagliostro (which is mostly because of the pure craftsmanship of the film). You’d think that if somebody tried to make a Lupin series a commentary on sexual politics and feminism (which I don’t go that much into in the video, mind you), they would fail miserably and the show would be a laughing stock of the franchise. But no, it’s very formidable. It may take a couple of viewings to really drive home how good it is, but when it does, it does it hard. I was glad I took this opportunity to talk about it.
What, me, reviewing a Lupin III feature? Couldn’t be! It’s only been about a half hour since the last time I did one. This one, Tokyo Crisis, is kind of complicated, quality-wise. It’s got plenty of good elements, but it doesn’t quite come together all that well. What I mostly appreciated was the relationship between Inspector Zenigata and Maria. Though I have a hard time defining it. Was it meant to be a romantic relationship or more of a father-daughter like thing? Whatever it was, it led to some great moments. But there’s really nothing this feature excels at beyond that.
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.
Synopsis: Tomoe discovers that hypnotizing Lupin III isn’t as easy as she thinks. The influence of Lupin’s friends in his mind prove more powerful than her power of suggestion. The past Lupin forgot is finally recalled as he confronts his teacher. After this, an injured Lupin duels Mattea and manages to counter his opponent, despite her fierce attacks. Zenigata takes Mattea into custody. After obtaining the special box he once stole from his grandfather’s vault, Lupin and his gang decide to burn down the mansion. Lupin refuses to be tied down to his past, as he continues his path with his friends, on the run from the law as usual.
Episode 23, “The Memories of a Beloved Witch”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Lupin and the gang are confronted by Mattea, who utters a phrase that sends Lupin into a seemingly hypnotized state. He attacks and then flees his allies, having visions of Tomoe speaking a mysterious poem to him. While Zenigata questions Mercedes, Jigen and Goemon are forced to turn to a surprising source of information to find their colleague. Lupin journeys to the mansion he grew up in and finds himself face-to-face with his “mother”. It’s not a sweet reunion!
Episode 22, “My Mother’s Documents”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: A young woman named Finn Clark follows in her mother’s footsteps as she travels to a Nordic country, looking for answers about her past. There, she finds recordings that chronicle her mother’s lessons from a teacher of a questionable moral character. Converging on Finn’s location is both the Lupin gang and Mattea and Inspector Zenigata is on the case. What do these tapes reveal? It’s an aurora of mystery!
Episode 21, “Welcome to the Island of Bubbles”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: When the Lupin gang are forced to make a stop at a small town after a heist because the bridge is busted, they get drawn into the imaginary love stories of a girl named Muru. Can Lupin find the famed Mermaid Fish to impress Fujiko? Or is the art of love too illusive? It’s an old fisherman’s tale.
Comments:
Hm. Another pretty basic episode. And next week’s looks about the same. Is this show running out of steam, or what?
Episode 13, “An Invitation From the Past”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: A collection of treasures from around the world are going up for auction, and Lupin is determined to steal them, and in particular, a mysterious red gem that was taken from his childhood home. He arranges a spectacular illusion to distract the patrons of the auction, but the plan is foiled when a group of women thieves make off with the loot before he can. Lupin scrambles to regain what was lost years earlier.
Episode 12, “The Ghosts of Britain”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: The mystery of the Raven is about to be revealed as Holmes looks to root out the killer of Watson while Lupin and other parties converge on the hidden treasure. It all comes to a head when deductions are made, secrets are unmasked, and there are tense confrontations! Who will come out on top, the world’s most famous detective or the world’s greatest thief? Or will it be somebody else? The game’s afoot!
