The world’s most wanted thief, Lupin the third is dead! Despite a coroner’s report, Interpol Inspector Zenigata is skeptical and discovers that Lupin is actually alive and well and stealing!

But who had set up Lupin’s death and why?

For now, questions are set aside, as Lupin, Jigen and Goemon immediately embark to Egypt to pilfer a stone artifact from a pyramid, with Zenigata in hot pursuit. Fujiko, lured by the promise of eternal youth and beauty by the sinister and enigmatic scientist known as Mamo, betrays Lupin and steals the stone. Pursuing Fujiko leads Lupin and his cohorts to Mamo’s island hideaway, where they discover the madman’s dark secret and a fiendish scheme that threatens the entire planet!

Now, it’s up to Lupin to stop the insane Mamo – before he can complete his 10,000 year-old plans of world domination.

Lupin the 3rd is dead? Or is he?

After the execution and confirmation of death of notorious thief Lupin the 3rd Interpol inspector Zenigata is having a difficult time accepting this. Hearing that Lupin’s team is still working Inspector Zenigata heads to Lupin’s grave only to discover an exploding corpse and a very much alive Lupin, mocking the inspector.Zenigata now knows that Lupin is still alive and stealing. However, who was the man executed in prison? How could he be a perfect copy of Lupin?

Lupin is back at work stealing several ancient artifacts; his misadventure brings him to Egypt. Where at the great pyramids he finds the last of 3 ancient artifacts the “philosopher stone” and to return them for a reward of 100 million yen and a promise of a date with his love Fujiko, little does Lupin know that Fujiko after a promise of being granted eternal life and beauty is working for the sinister and enigmatic Mamo. Upon meeting with her he is betrayed by the women of his perverted desire.

Follow Lupin has he tries to hold his team of Jigen, the world’s greatest marksman and Goemon, whose sword skills are second to none as they try to rescue Fujiko, try to uncover Mamo’s secret plans for world domination and hopefully stay alive after being targeted for death.

At first glance some might find the animation style for Lupin, crude, rough, almost annoying. However, you will have to remember that this movie was first shown in theaters in 1978, well before the age of digital animation and for it’s time was well ahead of the pack. Some viewers may find this movie to be a little ghetto, but try not to let this older style of animation bring down the overall feel of this movie. If it were made using today’s style it would still have the same impact on the viewer.

Lupin the 3rd had a great story to it, with great interaction with the characters, sadly the only thing I didn’t like about the movie was the dragging on of the story. There were some scenes where the interactions of the characters took forever. Also, in some moments of the movie there were parts where the characters were constantly explaining the plot.As if the viewer maybe having some difficulties understanding the story.

The interaction between the characters was great, whether it be Lupin constantly lusting over his love Fujiko, watching Lupin work with his team of elite thieves Jigen and Goemon or the fanatical Zenigata as his blood boils in the attempt to capture the elusive Lupin.

Pioneer did an amazing job of digitally re-mastering Lupin the 3rd, over time original video prints will lose quality, even video being transferred to DVD will loose some of its quality, not the case here. The video quality was crisp, clean and the audio transfer was superb, being offered in Japanese Dolby Digital and English Dolby Digital 5.1.

The main menu was great, playing a funky late 70’s early 80’s style of music, help to perk up the movie, and with constantly changing pictures of the main characters of the story. The special features offered by this DVD were sadly lacking, with only a conceptual Art section, the original language corners report and a Digitized Original Movie Program(a translated version comes with the disc, it’s the Special Collectable booklet). I would like to have seen a few more features offered. Perhaps if possible include any behind the scenes footage, character bios, maybe interviews with the with voice actors. I understand that maybe a little difficult considering when the movie was made, but little extra features like that would have greatly added to it. Thankfully with the DVD I received from pioneer they made up for the lack of special features with a free Lupin key chain and a Special Collectible booklet

The Special Collectible booklet is the translated movie program that was sold at the opening night of Lupin the 3rd. Not only containing character information, but as well as production statistics, production information as well as interviews with the main characters and a movie synopsis and the DVD hard shell comes with a reversible movie poster cover displaying the main characters of the movie in their traditional poses.

For those who are familiar with the Lupin the 3rd saga, this is a must for their DVD collection. Or if you’re interested in seeing a movie from a different period of animation then I would suggest renting first, then if you like what I you see I would add it to your collection. I did.

by Matt Capranos

Animation       7/10
Story           6/10
Audio           8/10
Video           8/10
Extra’s         4/10
Impact Rating   6/10

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