A Reintroduction to Lupin the 3rd

I used to watch Lupin the 3rd back when the episodes played on Adult Swim and Lupin was sporting the red jacket. Back then I thought that the anime was so awesome I must be the only one that haven’t heard of it but even now that doesn’t seem to be the case. With a new season currently airing with a more stable setting than series past I thought now would be as great a time as any to try to introduce new fans to the series.

Arsène Lupin III, grandson of the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, is an internationally wanted thief. His right-hand man is Daisuke Jigen, an expert marksmen who can shoot a target within 0.3 seconds. They are joined by Fujiko Mine, Lupin’s primary love interest who often manipulates situations to her advantage. After several encounters with the samurai and expert swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII, he becomes part of the group. They are constantly pursued by Inspector Zenigata, an expert on Lupin from the Tokyo MPD, who has made the capture and arrest of Lupin and his collaborators his life goal.

Arsène Lupin III is the grandson of Arsène Lupin. He is the world’s most wanted gentleman thief. He is acknowledged by virtually every law agency on earth as the world’s number one thief. While Lupin is a thief, he will go to great lengths to right injustice. While he sees nothing wrong with his chosen profession, he reminds anyone who asks that the people from whom he steals are people who can take the loss, and that there are worse people than he in this world. He also shows a chivalrous streak that compels him to help those less fortunate than he (especially attractive women).

Daisuke Jigen is a smooth gunman who is most seen accompanying Lupin in his endeavors and heists. Jigen is master thief and The Lupin Gang’s key marksman. He can perform a 0.3-second quick-draw and has an accuracy that borders on superhuman; he can shoot skeet with a handgun, explode a missile before it hits by targeting the warhead, and deflect another bullet by shooting it in mid-flight. He prefers to conceal his eyes using his hat, as it gives him a more enigmatic appearance; when one or both of his eyes are seen, it is occasionally used to demonstrate surprise.

Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth generation of renegade samurai, a descendant of the historical figure Ishikawa Goemon. While Goemon might be considered one of Lupin’s friends, it starts off more of a professional relationship than friendship. Goemon Ishikawa XIII is a lifelong adherent of a number of Japanese martial arts, particularly Kenjutsu, Karate, Jujutsu and Iaidō. His training gives him many extraordinary talents, i.e. underwater breath control for diving without an aqualung, and a limited understanding of the supernatural. Goemon has an extreme sense of pride in his abilities, and when he cannot accomplish a task, usually feels extreme shame and remorse afterward.

Fujiko Mine is a professional criminal, burglar and confidence trickster. While Fujiko is not part of Lupin’s gang, she often participates in their exploits either as a partner or a competitor. Her principal tactic is to stick with Lupin and company until the plunder is made available then double-cross her colleagues. Jigen despises Fujiko and sees her showing up as a sign of rough times ahead. Goemon, who had a brief romance with her, has been known to work on capers with Fujiko independent of the other gang members, but can be equally distrustful of her when he thinks she is manipulating Lupin. Lupin is completely infatuated with Fujiko, and will do anything for her. Although she is more willing to contain her feelings, Fujiko does have a love for Lupin. She is rarely wishing to fully reveal her affection except if she thinks one or both are dying.

Inspector Zenigata, full name Kōichi Zenigata is an incredibly talented, yet often bumbling police officer who has made it his life’s goal to capture Lupin III. Although perpetually unable to permanently detain Lupin, Zenigata has proven over and over again that he is extremely capable. Zenigata’s signature weapon is a pair of handcuffs which are often attached to rope for long ranged attacks. He is shown to be able to take down every member of Lupin’s gang with ease. He is also skilled at hand to hand combat.