The grandson of Arsène Lupin is tall, lanky, impertinent, and very sneaky. His prime qualities are listed as "appearing like a god, disappearing like a demon"; in other words, he appears with a flash and leaves with a whisper. Despite being aided by many gadgets, his main talents lie in plotting and evasion of weapons.
While his grandfather was known as the "Gentleman Thief", Lupin III has no qualms about trying to separate a woman from her modesty. He fancies himself as quite the ladies man, but his advances rarely succeeds. His primary weakness is his overconfidence and lust for Mine Fujiko.
Vital Statistics
- Age: Unknown
- Nationality: Unknown
- Height: 179 cm.
- Weight: 63 kg.
- Preferred Weapon: Walther P-38
- Preferred Cigarette: Jitan caporal(?)
| Known Aliases
- Global: Cliffhanger
- Global: Chase Tracer
- Germany: Hardyman
- Mexico: Aramis Lupin
- Spain: Arsenio Lupin
- France: Edgar de la Cambriole
Little is known about Jigen's past; while he is listed as a Japanese national, it is believed that he fled to Japan and changed his name to avoid the American mafia. While his primary function is bodyguard and hitman, he has become Lupin's closest ally. His black suit, black fedora, and beard easily identify him. The ever present black fedora also serves as an sighting aid enabling Jigen to be a precise, quick (clocked as having a 0.3 second fast draw), and deadly shot.
He greatly distrusts Mine Fujiko, and Lupin's infatuation with her is a source of much irritation for him. As he is proficient with a variety of firearms, it is advised to approach him with extreme caution.
Vital Statistics
- Age: Unknown
- Nationality: Japanese
- Height: 178 cm.
- Weight: 70 kg.
- Preferred Weapon: Smith & Wesson M19 Combat Magnum
- Preferred Cigarette: Pall Mall super long
| | Known Aliases
- Mexico: Julian
- Spain: Oscar
- France: Auguste
- France:
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 Thirteenth in the line of the Ishikawa samurai family, Goemon wields a sword that can cut through anything and is nearly indestructible. While the bulk of his training is shrouded in mystery, it is known that received assassination training from Momochi no Jijii ("Old Man Momochi"). Momochi ordered Goemon to kill Lupin; however, Momochi planned on eliminating both Goemon and Lupin to become the world's greatest assassin but was killed by Lupin.
Through long and rigorous training, Goemon has perfected the art of iai, the katana fast-draw. The combination of Goemon's reflexes and Zantetsuken's sharpness make for a lethal package. While he feels that most of the people or things that feel the touch of Zantetsuken are worthless, he does not hesitate to cut down anything or anyone that blocks his path.
Goemon is based on a historical figure of the same name. He was the Japanese version of Robin Hood though some debate this comparison. The original Goemon lived circa 1650 AD and was finally caught and executed by being placed in a pot of boiling oil.
Vital Statistics
- Age: Unknown
- Nationality: Japanese
- Height: 180 cm.
- Weight: 63 kg.
- Preferred Weapon: Zantetsuken (katana)
| Known Aliases
- Mexico: Ramón
- Spain: Francis
- France: Yokitori
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Mine Fujiko is a beautiful thief that few men, including Lupin, can resist. Her primary method is to use her feminine wiles to get close to the same treasure that Lupin is after. Fujiko and Lupin are occasionally friends, more often opponents, and never really lovers much to Lupin's chagrin. Normally, Lupin does outsmart Fujiko, but she also makes away with the loot on occasion.
She routinely makes a deal with Zenigata to hand over Lupin in exchange for her own freedom. While she is very seductive and devious, she is also intelligent and is an expert in firearms, burglary, and driving.
Vital Statistics
- Age: Unknown
- Nationality: Japanese
- Height: 167 cm.
- Weight: 50 kg.
- Three Sizes: B99.9, W55.5, H88.8
- Preferred Weapon: Browning M1910
- Preferred Cigarette: Moa menthol
| Known Aliases
- Mexico: Vanessa
- Spain: Patricia
- France: Magali
|
Zenigata Keibu (
Keibu translates as "Inspector") is an incredibly diligent yet incredibly gullible policeman whose life has been dedicated to bringing Lupin to justice. While he has some interest in capturing Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko, he is really after only Lupin. Zenigata belongs to the esteemed ranks of law enforcers doomed to never successfully catch their man. Originally a member of the Tokyo Police Force, Zenigata was transferred to Interpol to allow him to travel the globe after Lupin. His obsession has unfortunately put a strain on his marriage and his relationship with his daughter Toshiko.
Zenigata is based on a famous Japanese crime fighting character named Heiji Zenigata. The character is a few hundred years old and was best known for throwing coins as a weapon. Zenigata's handcuff throwing technique is his own take on the character's choice of weapon.
Vital Statistics
- Age: Unknown
- Nationality: Japanese
- Height: 181 cm.
- Weight: 73 kg.
- Preferred Weapon: Colt 1911A1 government
- Preferred Cigarette: Shinsei
 Jacket Color: Red
Release Date: 1969
The door opens in a dark room spilling light into it; a man stands in the doorway and empties a submachine gun into the room.
Cut to Inspector Zenigata playing shogi over the phone trying to keep his opponent on the line while a trace is made. Zenigata calls checkmate; his opponent does likewise telling Zenigata that the pieces are fake. Zenigata examines the backs of the pieces to find "Lupin III" written on them. This infuriates Zenigata, but the trace went through! The call is coming from a phone booth outside. Zenigata rushes out to find the booth empty except for a shogi piece with the name "Zenigata" written on it. He throws the playing piece, and it explodes!
Lupin, Jigen, and Fujiko end up being trapped by Zenigata in an old mansion. Zenigata attempts to storm the mansion but fails; he falls back outside dragging his injured policemen with him. It is a stalemate; Lupin cannot get out, and Zenigata cannot get into the mansion. Suddenly, the famous private investigator Akechi Kogoro suggests that Zenigata throw a grappling hook through a second floor window. He then suggests that Zenigata tie the other end to a car bumper.
Akechi starts the car up and begins to drive off; Zenigata chases after him trying to find out what to do next. Akechi reaches to his face and pulls off a mask. It was really Lupin in disguise! Lupin disguised himself as an injured policman to get out of the mansion. As he drives off, Zenigata sees that the grappling hook has been attached to a make-shift kite that carries Jigen and Fujiko away.
| Known Aliases
- Mexico: Zuñiga
- Spain: Basilio
- France: Inspecteur Gaston Lacogne
|
Jacket Color: Red
Release Date: 1969
The door opens in a dark room spilling light into it; a man stands in the doorway and empties a submachine gun into the room.
Cut to Inspector Zenigata playing shogi over the phone trying to keep his opponent on the line while a trace is made. Zenigata calls checkmate; his opponent does likewise telling Zenigata that the pieces are fake. Zenigata examines the backs of the pieces to find "Lupin III" written on them. This infuriates Zenigata, but the trace went through! The call is coming from a phone booth outside. Zenigata rushes out to find the booth empty except for a shogi piece with the name "Zenigata" written on it. He throws the playing piece, and it explodes!
Lupin, Jigen, and Fujiko end up being trapped by Zenigata in an old mansion. Zenigata attempts to storm the mansion but fails; he falls back outside dragging his injured policemen with him. It is a stalemate; Lupin cannot get out, and Zenigata cannot get into the mansion. Suddenly, the famous private investigator Akechi Kogoro suggests that Zenigata throw a grappling hook through a second floor window. He then suggests that Zenigata tie the other end to a car bumper.
Akechi starts the car up and begins to drive off; Zenigata chases after him trying to find out what to do next. Akechi reaches to his face and pulls off a mask. It was really Lupin in disguise! Lupin disguised himself as an injured policman to get out of the mansion. As he drives off, Zenigata sees that the grappling hook has been attached to a make-shift kite that carries Jigen and Fujiko away.
Second Series
The famous "green jacket" series was created with an adult sensibility and attempted to create a stylish series not previously seen. Great attention was given to the details of the automobiles, guns, and brand name items used. Initially, the series focused less on humor and more on pulp stories centered on a particular heist. Lupin would not hesitate to kill anyone in his way though he did have his own skewed moral code.
The series opened to poor ratings, and director Osumi Masaki's refusal to alter the tone of the series lead to his removal by the time the third episode had aired. In an attempt to reach a broader audience, Miyazaki Hayao and Takahata Isao were brought in to soften the series and provide more humor. Despite their efforts, the series was canceled after twenty-three episodes. However, the series found its audience in reruns and grew in popularity.
After reruns made the first series a fan favorite, a second TV series was produced and set years after the first series. Donning a red jacket, Lupin reunited with Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko to resume their thieving ways; this series retained the comic tone Miyazaki and Takahata brought to the close of the first series. While the darker tones of the manga were left out, many of the manga stories were adapted into episodes. The series also earns the distinction of being the first anime series to be broadcast in stereo starting with episode 99 and intermittently to the end.
The "red jacket" series is the most recognizable and most popular series around the world.
Third Series
The "pink jacket" series has seen little play outside of Japan and is chiefly judged by
Legend of the Gold of Babylon, the film produced during the same time period. While
Babylon and this series share the same comedy style, the third series fares a bit better in its execution.
Review:
My preconceptions going into this series were based on
Legend of the Gold of Babylon; I was expecting an arduous journey through fifty episodes. However, this third TV series managed to be more entertaining, though not by much. Most of the episodes are mediocre heists lacking the wacky panache the second series mustered. The rest range from absurd slapstick to some of the hard edge the
first series had. It was not an exceptional run of fifty episodes, but it managed to be just entertaining enough to keep me watching.
With passable stories, one would hope that the animation and character designs would provide some decent eye candy to help. Not the case with the third series; the character designs are atrocious making the cast elongated, amorphous blobs. Fujiko comes off the worst looking like a hideous, old crone half the time. Near the end of the series, the characters edge back towards more familiar designs, but multiple animators must have been working on the series as they shift from the familiar back to the hideous for the last few episodes.
Overall, this could have been much worse; I could not have sat through fifty episodes of material like
Babylon. I managed to get some enjoyment out the series, but it is not one I'll be pulling off the shelf much.
Synopsis:
Transylvania... Lupin has been captured and hanged to death; the coroner's report confirms that down to the DNA level this was the real Lupin the Third. However, Zenigata refuses to believe Lupin is dead and drives to a castle to view the body. He then proceeds to drive a stake through the heart of Lupin's corpse. The corpse explodes, and Zenigata comes face to face with... Lupin?!
Synopsis:
Lupin's search for the source of the legendary counterfeit "Goat Money" leads him to the small country of Cagliostro. While fixing a flat tire on the side of the road, Lupin and Jigen are passed by a beautiful girl being chased by a group of thugs. Lupin naturally rushes to the aid of the pretty girl and saves her from a nasty fall over a cliff.
Synopsis:
Several stone tablets have been unearthed in New York City and tell the tale of an ancient treasure. Thousands of years ago, a god demanded that all of the gold in Babylon be collected so it could be hidden. Lupin is naturally looking to make this horde of gold his own but must contend with two Mafia families that are after it as well.
Synopsis:
A simple diamond heist leads Lupin into the machinations of a bizarre cult. The cult is based around the prophecies of Nostradamus, and they kidnap Julia, the daughter of Douglas, a wealthy American who is seeking the presidency, along with Lupin's diamond. At stake is the lost book of prophecy Douglas holds in the vault at the top of his skyscraper.
Can Lupin rescue Julia, find a way into the vault, and discover the connection between the cult and the kidnapping? And what about his diamond?!
Synopsis:
The latest target for Lupin is the legendary treasure of the kingdom of Zufu. This treasure lies on the mysterious "Drifting Island", and Lupin drags his gang to investigate. Upon reaching a mysterious door, the island activates an impressive defense system, and Lupin manages to escape by the seat of his pants.
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