Takeshi Koike's Lupin Trilogy (Jigen's Gravestone, Goemon's Blood Spray, Fujiko Mine's Lie)

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Man, it's been way too long since I last uploaded. I'm sorry that it's taken so long, but I've recently started university, so it's been a bit hard to find time to make videos. But don't worry though, I'll still try to put out videos as often as I can. For now, enjoy this Lupin video

[@epiccogman7959]

I hope zenigata’s is called: Zenigata’s Arrest.

[@taotzu1339]

Well, if the next movie's focus is on Zenigata, than who's better as a antagonist then Lupin 3rd himself? But yes, it would be nice to have a movie from Zenigata's view point.

[@SrMechaGojira93]

Zenigata’s Pursuit is another title I recommend.

[@georgejonesthestarseeds77]

Yeah literally where is the Zenigata film?

[@dannyboidee]

@@georgejonesthestarseeds77 Considering the films came out a few years after each other, we should probably expect to see it in a year or two

[@jello-anthem]

@@dannyboidee It was officially revealed very late last year that Koike was working on something, but he never specified what or when it would be released

[@ItsDanbo]

What I like from Goemon's bloodspray, favorite part btw, is that it represents his return back to his disciplined self. I noticed that Goemon had gotten himself a fancy new handle and hilt, as well as taking jobs as a body guard from some rich yakuza. Though Goemon trained himself to reform his focus, he also changes his handle and hilt back to it's usual bamboo style, sort of returning back to his more usual disciplined self. I like how it kind of shows that Goemon got a bit too ahead of himself, but after being defeated by Hawk so easily, he suddenly realized that he needs to focus again once more.

[@zemox2534]

The third film is the best in my opinion. It explores new layers to the character of Fujiko, once again presenting a more vulnerable side to her. I think seeing Fujiko slowly behind to truly care for Gene was good and her reasons due make sense when you think about it. I mean yes she just wanted the money, but you can tell that she grew to care for the boy and it even caught her off guard. She did not need to face Bin but she wanted to. She wanted to ensure that Bin wound leave Gene alone. She also wanted to put poor Bin out of his misery. In her own way, she was being kind. When you think about the Fujiko tv series and her character in the film, Fujiko does not truly understand unconditional love. And if she does, she is afraid to truly embrace it, because that would make her feel weak and vulnerable and she does not want to feel that way. She is used to being free and not letting anything tie her down, so the idea of showing true affection and care for someone must her scared her a bit. She felt pity for Bincam because she saw some of herself in him. Someone who does not understand the concept of Love, an empty shell controlled by others. She wanted to give him freedom, the freedom she fought for and us willing to fight for it if it Is threatened. Her actions may seem odd and forced, but when you loo at it from her perspective and after watching the Fujiko TV show, it makes sense and adds to her charscter. I really hope the next film focuses on Zenigata and reveals more about the organisation that has been after the gang. If not, Fujiko Mine's lie is a great way to end things. It started with Fujiko and it ends with Fujiko.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Sure, I see your points and to an extent I agree with some of it. My only "issue" is that this new side of her kind of competes with how she would approach similar situations in past entries. It's not bad, just different.

[@fenrir-art4742]

Those three movies were amazing. I liked Bloodspray most. It feels like we are getting a Secret of Mamo remake or whatever because of the buildup. Not sure.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Could be

[@simonapril3381]

I can't wait for Mamo remake/Mamo 2. Probably the most iconic Lupin villain from the best film of the franchise (along with Cagliostro). I'm so hyped

[@MrShoryuken1]

I didn't rate the films as highly as the series but I will watch anything that Takeshi Koike works on. The man is a treasure and needs to be given more chances to direct. It's probably too much to hope that we will ever see another film from him on the scale of Redline.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Didn't he say himself that he would never do another film on teh scale of Redline? Pretty sure, but I might be misremembering. As for the movies compared to the series, I agree with you. I don't think they nailed it as well as they did with the series, but I still think they did a good job overall. Hopefully there will be more follow up movies on Zenigata and Lupin as well

[@MrShoryuken1]

@@AnimeTopScholar It wouldn't surprise me if he opted not to take on a large project like Redline again. I think as you say, TK has mentioned in interviews that the stress etc was too much. He's unlikely to get funding either to be honest as Redline was a bit of a commercial disaster. A crying shame!

[@Cindy67917]

And from what I've looked up, Koike was a protegee of Yoshiaki Kawajiri and has worked on several of Kawajiri''s works as an in-betweener.

[@MnemonicHack]

I like that Fujiko actually got her ass kicked. So many shows, especially nowadays, beat the crap out of the men but either hardly touch women, or they get a few light knocks here and there and it's just to show that they're independent strong women who don't need no man. Fujiko gets legit roughhoused. And still gets up.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Yeah it's always weird when shows decide to put female characters in situations where they will get hurt, but then also try to avoid that. If you don't want that to be a part of your show then don't put them in those situations in the first place

[@ItsDanbo]

One thing I like from Jigen's Gravestone is when he loses the first duel against Ozaki. Not only was his pride hurt, but his feelings and confidence were hurt as well. His feelings for the magnum given to him from Cicciolina, and the confidence from his custom hat, which always helped his aim, considering he felt like a lost cause in that one episode where all his hats burned down. I think this episode reflects on the very rare moments where Jigen feels like giving up and accepting fate. His character always plays it cool, and with that, it also comes with accepting your fate in a casual sense. Still, like most episodes Lupin is able to come up with a plan, which gives Jigen that confidence boost to push on. Jigen's gravestone basically felt like an introduction into how the story will unfold, but it sheds light on the very few moments where Jigen is outmatched in his very skillful nature.

[@justinweber4977]

So... by this pattern, I hope it means we'll be getting a Zenigata based film soon, too.

[@ilmiraculousdibill3686]

Still waiting for that

[@lilaheart4224]

This movies are great and I love them, my favorite being Jigen's gravestone. I only have one problem with Mine Fujiko's lie because it makes the victory against Yael Okusaki feel no longer like a victory and I hate that. Overall they're stylish and fantastic so I really hope a fourth one comes out!

[@mechajay3358]

I like how these films take more of the very mature elements from Monkey Punch's Manga.

[@DI-QueenmoEMino]

Takeshi Koike is one of my personal favorite animators / directors within the anime industry, I seriously love his more mature interpretation and take on the Lupin franchise. Especially when it comes to the anime series " A woman called Fujiko Mine" which is mine top favorites anime shows as well as my favorite Lupin series due too it mainly focuses on Fujiko and her as an overall character in general, I've seen all of these movies & there all ones I've really enjoyed also loved. Honestly I wouldn't mind seeing another new Lupin show that is similar to these movies both in style also in themes; as well has a much more mature & adult atmosphere also content within it that is similar to the original Monkey Punch manga, I love the light-hearted, silly, goofy, or just lighter in tone Lupin stuff too like part 4 & 5...but I think it be cool to see a way more mature Lupin Tv series.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

I love both styles, but like I said in the video, I'm really hoping that there will be at least one more Koike Lupin movie

[@DI-QueenmoEMino]

@@AnimeTopScholar Yeah me too, I really hope there'll be at least one more movie that's mainly focused on Lupin himself. Since we already got ones that focus on the rest of the gang, it be cool to see what Koike could come up with next with the trilogy with another that dive more into Lupin character and explore more layers in him as he did with Fujiko.

[@mellusse]

Best Lupin saga ever, i love the mature content the put in it. It feels more real and fresh !

[@Leccocx]

I didn't know there was a third movie!!! I just wanted until Goemon's movie because that's what existed at that time. Might see Fujiko's Lies soon. Great review!

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Thank you

[@oliverbelmonte7077]

Lupin theThird.The anime that stood the test of time and the big influence of the 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

It's almost ironic that this series has lasted as long as it has, since it was originally just meant to be a short manga.

[@footfault1941]

Having no chance to watch them, many thanks for posting this. Too short for an entire story, but enough to feel what has happened in this famous comic. It looks close to the touch of the original version by Monkey Punch. A nice flavor there! Hope overseas anime fans have a great time with this series!

[@richardavelino7383]

These films remind me a lot of how Shin Godzilla, a film which reintroduced mey themes of horror and thriller only seen in the franchise's early days, was so polarizing. Personally for me, I find Goemon's blood spray overly edgy at the best of times, but I can still appreciate it for what it did; it gave heart and character exploration where there really wasn't for a tertiary character. Wished it was a little bit funny, though.... :(

[@absolutefool9577]

They have to be making one more right?? They left it on such a cliff hanger man they can't leave it there

[@AnimeTopScholar]

As far as I'm aware there hasn't been any news about a new film, but yeah it does seem like that was the idea. Could still take another few year before we see it though, if they actually are making one more

[@thesicksteven8444]

They're Awesome. I love the character designs, the animation and all the detail in the movies.

[@Lulink013]

The first thing I ever saw in the whole franchise was Fujiko's lie. It was at a con but I knew a little about the cast so it was easy to follow. The thing about this being my entry point made the issue of keeping Fujiko true to her usual self irrelevant, of course, but it made her change of attitude from manipulative to "lone badass in a tracksuit" in the last fight scene a little weird. The weirdest was how she played with Bimkam when she already had her win secured. That sure was awkward to watch with my dad, lol.

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Yeah I can see that. No Lupin is really that hard to follow, since it's based on a very simple premise. Though I wouldn't start here if you had a choice since this is the 3rd sequel movie to the Woman Called Fujiko Mine, even though they don't have that much in common with that show

[@Indrijid]

I didn't know these had been released so recently! It's good to know that this style of Lupin is still going strong! I like the grit of this style better!

[@kapparomeo]

Thanks for the introduction a d the wider context of the production staff especially.

[@That1GoldenBoi]

I'd like to see 2 more movies like this style called, zenigata's arrest (based on another comment) and Arsene Lupin the 3rd: The final heist

[@TheT3rr0rMask]

My only realy problem with Goemons Bloodspray is Lupin and Jigen's familiarity with Goemon. If this follows Woman Called Fujiko then Lupin and Jigen wouldn't have knowingly met Goemon yet (Jigen fought him in the last episode not knowing his face) and they don't meet till Part 1. It's still great enough that it's not a big flaw

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I saw Fujiko's Lie last night and it's definitely the worst of the three.

[@kwstasdip9742]

Are we getting, a Zenigata and then a Lupin movies? Does anyone have news?

[@Play-nx6li]

Ouhh yeahhh

[@yatakun]

good stuff man, Making me want to check out the series. Quick not though there seems to be a little rendering error at the very beginning of the video. It kinda skips for a second

[@AnimeTopScholar]

What? Not for me it doesn't... Do you know where it happens?

[@yatakun]

@@AnimeTopScholar seconds 2-4. It cuts twice and i've tried it twice now on two different devices

[@AnimeTopScholar]

@@yatakun The audio or the video? Cause if you're talking about the cut from the eyes to Fujiko then that is as intended. If that's not it then I don't know, on my PC the video plays out fine

[@yatakun]

@@AnimeTopScholar it was the audio. But i rewatched it again and now it's fine. that is quite odd guess it was on my end sooo weird

[@AnimeTopScholar]

@@yatakun Yeah I was quite confused. I checked it on multiple devices and didn't find anything

[@samuelboner4157]

A whole series of lupin with this tone and animation would be sooooooo sick

[@themangahistorian5616]

The woman called fugiko mine

[@shubb-niggurath]

As a big Fan of Jigen you really don’t get a lot out of his past or a change of character… But I do agree I feel like out of all 3 movies I feel like they just threw Jigen a bone and didn’t do much to flush out his character which does disappoint me… Still it doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoyed Jigen’s Gravestone..

[@AnimeTopScholar]

Of course not. Jigen's Gravestone was still an enjoyable movie to watch. It's more of a hindsight criticism, cause with how they handled Fujiko and Goemon, I felt like they could have done a bit more with Jigen's character

[@Retro_Ra]

To a point I agree but I think that's a large part of his character. He's meant to be the mysterious "cool guy" that you don't know much about. In a way I think it's what helped him be such a popular character.

[@alvarodiogolopessousa5911]

the way they draw Jigen is incredible

[@sonicspeed3056]

_____'s Impact

[@leviosamu69]

YES! THEY ARE ALL WORTH TO WATCH.

[@extraleague01]

Still waiting for the the next Lupin film from Koike, which will likely be the last one in Koike's series

[@xxskullxx1000]

Is it the general consensus that Goemon and Lupin met the same way back in the Green Jacket series? Man I hope Zenigata gets his own movie, he was so badass in Blood Spray!

[@lonelyleaf270]

I have never heard of this series before but our local cinema will be running this trilogy soon and I really love the art style! Can anyone tell me if these movies make sense to someone with no knowledge of the series?

[@AnimeTopScholar]

If you have no knowledge of the series, I would not start with these movies. I would at the very least watch the Woman Called Fujiko Mine series first, as these movies work as sequels to that series

[@bloodyone4866]

Hope the final movie comes out soon > ~

[@3dvorator]

Lupin the 3rd was never meant to be a childish story in Monkey Punch idea of the manga. By the time they animated the first season, green jacket,1974, still, it was a more adult-oriented product. If you have seen all the next seasons, season 2 for example, which was aired here in Italy in 1982, was kind of a delusion for me. I was 13 yo back then and I was expecting some serious content, it ended up being childish for me. Think about it, there is no killing in the "New adventures of Lupin", not a single round shot killed a person, not one, in 155 episodes. Then I was disappointed by the relationship between Fujico ( which btw becomes "Margot" in this season)and Lupin. It was a comedy kind of interaction and after season one, I was expecting a more serious playing the role with Lupin giving some serious lessons to this girl. It never happened. Basically, what I wanted back then was the actual Pegi 16 content classification for the video games content, real life, real criminals, real cops, real blood. Well , 40 years later, finally, I have been satisfied, but in the meanwhile, I'm 53... :))

[@grandadmiral8173]

Three years too late I know but is there any update on the Zenigata movie yet?

[@AnimeTopScholar]

There has never been any word on them making any more of these movies. So no there's no word on any Zenigata movie

[@grandadmiral8173]

@@AnimeTopScholar Fair enough

[@p5rsona]

I seriously wonder how some people who claim to be anime fans, and not have watched any of these gems, live with themselves. The series is my top 5 of all time but no wonder since all those legends worked on it. The movies are also superb (although not nearly as good as the series, especially the fujiko movie) and can't wait to see the next Koike Lupin series rumored for the 50th anniversary!

[@oiopquatro4846]

are those movies good to get into Lupin? I want to get into it, but I don't wanna watch all the parts from the start

[@AnimeTopScholar]

No I don't think they are. If you're gonna watch these movies you should watch The Woman Called Fujiko Mine first

[@kenjkbs]

Oh? Really? Nice? Review? Thanks?

[@ejlagrada8067]

Bruh hearing this 9:55 makes me feel does fujiko love

[@kewrock]

Fujiko's Lie and Jigen's Gravestone awesome. Goeman's Blood Spray a little too long. The Fujiko series boring.