You’re probably wondering why I’m starting on episode 10 as
opposed to episode 1. Mainly it’s because it’s the most recent episode to air,
but it ties in neatly to episode 1. If you haven’t been watching the new Lupin
III series, here’s a quick summary to get you up to speed.
Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is the latest
iteration of the Lupin III franchise, now over 40 years old. For the two guys
who have never heard of Lupin III, it’s the story of the grandson of the famous
gentleman thief Arsene Lupin and his various crime sprees and adventures.
Joining him are Daisuke Jigen, the gruff sharpshooter; Goemon, the samurai
assassin; and Fujiko Mine, his sometimes-girlfriend who’s not above
backstabbing him for the money. The characters are lovable and recognizable by
most anime fans, and the popularity of the manga and anime have kept it alive
in the form of yearly TV movies. For the longest time there had not been an
official Lupin anime series until this year. The new anime series focuses
mostly on Fujiko, hence the title, but Lupin’s name is still billed first, so
expect him to steal the spotlight. No pun intended.
The new series has been mostly episodic up until this point,
focusing more on reintroducing the characters at their beginnings while
showcasing unique animation and exciting new scenarios. Sometimes Lupin and
Fujiko will be robbing tombs, other times they’re robbing massive drug cults.
The possibilities are endless, another reason the franchise has lasted so long.
However, in-between the fun adventures and theft is Fujiko’s elusive past which
has been haunting her in the form of bizarre owls and butterflies. This is the
episode that explains it all, at least for the most part.
The story begins Lupin being awoken in his bed by a man with
an owl’s head. Things get weirder from there as we flashback to several months,
where we learn that Lupin was actually hired by Glaucus Pharmaceuticals to
steal the drug refinery back in episode 1, but he was also told to steal a
certain someone as well. Back in the present day, after some snooping around,
Lupin and Inspecter Zenigata trace the original source of the “Fraulein Eule”
drug back to a destroyed town called Eulenspiegel. We finally get the answers
to Fujiko’s origin, but due to the drug’s hallucinogenic effects, Lupin and
Zenigata have to fight off the illusions of the past if they want to come out
with this information alive.
For a series that’s been content to focus on one-shot
robberies and thrillers, this was a great change of pace. The series has been
teasing Fujiko’s backstory since day 1 and we finally get some answers. It
luckily doesn’t answer all of the questions, leaving unsolved mysteries for the
last few episodes. The owls we’ve seen in Fujiko’s dreams have taken center
stage. Not only is Glaucus Pharmaceuticals composed of nothing but owl men, who
may or may not be actual owl men, the symbolism of the owl is used to class up
the story. The visuals here are more surreal than ever before. The show has
always been stylish, but in an old school manga way. Now the show is literally
on drugs, and I thank the animators for that.
If you’re a fan of old school anime and unique animation,
Lupin III: The Woman Named Fujiko Mine is a wonderful treat. The addition of
lovable characters, thrilling escapades, and a good mystery beneath it make
this show a must-see for animation fans of all types. Be warned, this version
of Lupin is definitely not family friendly. The dark sexual tones of the
original manga have returned, meaning you’ll be well-acquainted with Fujiko’s
naked body by the time the opening credits are over. Don’t believe me? Look up
the opening credits on Youtube, and make sure you’re not at work when you watch
it.
The show only has a few planned episodes left, but there's still time to catch up on the series, You can legally watch the simulcast on Funimation's website every Friday. You don't even need to pay for it, but if you want to own the show and see and English dub, watch the simulcast. Let Funimation know we want Lupin on DVD and Blu-ray.
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