Lupin the 3rd
1971
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- action & adventure
- sci-fi & fantasy
The story
Follow the exciting adventures of Arsene Lupin III, the grandson of the world's greatest thief, Arsene Lupin. Together with Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa and his love interest Fujiko Mine, he carries out the greatest robberies of all time, all the while evading the control of Inspector Koichi Zenigata.
What it’s like
Scratchy, lurid early-'70s animation with heavy inky shadows, saturated flat colour, and hard cuts between rooftop chases and smoky interiors. The mood is pulpy and cynical, closer to a grimy crime paperback than to the bright, bouncy caper that later Lupin series became. Jazzy, brassy cues punctuate the action, and the quieter moments lean on cigarette haze, rain-slick streets, and casino or nightclub glow. Episodes are self-contained heists with a loose, wandering rhythm, and the tone swings from wisecracking to sudden menace. Violence is frequent and sometimes sharp, with gunfire and brawls, and the sexual innuendo and Fujiko's sultry presence add a knowing adult edge. It suits a late-night binge for viewers who want retro crime with attitude rather than something gentle. The crew's bond is prickly and transactional, with Zenigata's dogged pursuit providing the running comic friction. It is aimed at fans of vintage seinen crime and anti-hero stories who enjoy rough edges.
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