A place for those who "Trust the Fungus"

I don't know if anybody here knows of Lupin III, but it's an anime and manga that's very Americanised, and has been around for 40 years. Lupin has inspired many other series, most noteable is Cowboy Bebop, and even my own Secret Agent 0069 cartoon.

There have been three television series, Green, Red, and Pink jacket series. Lupin is a master thief who is a decendent of the great French thief Arsen Lupin. His three partners are Jigen Daisuke, a quick draw gun shooter, Goemon Ishikawa a samurai who uses a Katana blade that can cut through anything. Fujiko Mine, his Lupins off and on girl. She usually uses Lupin to steal treasure and turns her back on him at the last second, either stealing the treasure setting him up with the cops. Inspector Zenigara, a dedicated cop who is always trying to arrest Lupin. He never stops, he's been chasing him for 40 years, always comes close, but fails. He actually arrested Lupin in Ep. 4 of the Green jacket series, but Lupin managed to break out of jail setting up possibly one of the greatest jail break moments in history.



Lupin the Third is created by comic artist Monkey Punch, who has done various other comics, his work is inspired by Western art, and Mad Magazine, mostly the Spy VS Spy. His drawings always consist of lanky skinny characters, small ankles(that always show because of pant length) and wrists, long skinny fingers, and kitty cat smiles for his characters. The women he draw as well are very skinny, probably more prortioned than a Barbie doll.



This year celebrates Lupins 40th anniversary and with that they are releasing a Master File in Japan, unfortunetly its over 200 dollars. But DiskoTec has confirmed a Spring 2012 release of the Green Jacket series, for the first time ever in America all 23 episodes will be hitting America shores, with fresh subtitles, and the original pilot of the series.

In the early 80's Lupin was a Laserdisc arcade game similar to Dragon's Lair, but was labeled as Cliff Hanger. The early 90's the anime dub company known as Streamline licensed two Lupin movies, Mystery of Mamo, and Castle of Cagliostro( directed by none other than Hiyao Miyazaki), and two episodes from the red jacket series that were also done by Miyazaki. There was also another company licensing Lupin in the 90's who released the series as Rupan the Third, Fuma Conspiracy, and the Golden Babylong.


In 2001-2005 Pioneer/Geneon had the rights to the Red Jacket series which even aired Adult Swim for a short time. Funimation as well had the rights to the telvision specials, but IMO their dubs were just awful. But unfortunetly the aged animation caused the series to fail as its from the 70's. Geneon stopped making Lupin after DVD Vol 15, then they went out of business and the series has been dead since(except of course the Green Jacket series coming out).

Now the big build up, after a long amount of waiting, it has been announced that a new Lupin series will be airing in Japan next April. This may give Lupin another shot in the states to be picked up, dubbed, and subbed properly. That was huge news to me as I am a huge fan of the series, and just absolutely love it.

Sorry for typing so much about the series I wanted to cramm the info I could about it.

I used to watch this all the time on Adult Swim. Loved the style, loved the humor and loved the adventure. The characters are likable, unique and have great chemistry between themselves. Inspector Zenigara rounds out the premise by keeping everyone on their toes, filling the role of secondary antagonist. Recommended watch for anyone.

I unfortunately had to sell my red jacket collection in the summer, but I just started collecting them again and have 6 out 15 so far. I love this series possibly more than any series I've ever liked. Possibly more than Mario Bros. The more western feel of the characters is a joy. Usually with anime everything is all Japanese school girl crap, but with Lupin, 3 of the main characters don't act Japanese but are, Lupin(to me) is French, Jigen is American, Fujiko, Goemon and Zenigata are Japanese.

Diskotecs releasing Part 1 of the series in June, and hopefully Part IV will be coming out in April as it is 99.9% confirmed. Apparently the TMS or whatever site announced the new series pulled the leaked info the next day. But I'm very confident its coming. Let's hope it gets picked up here in the states with in subtitles, or the Pioneer/Geneon cast.

EDIT: It has been confirmed, in Japan they will start airing a new 13 episode Lupin series starting April 4, the show will be heavily influenced by Monkey Punch's original manga. Hopefully it has all the sex and violence he originally had in the manga.

ultimateemail5000 wrote:Usually with anime everything is all Japanese school girl crap, but with Lupin, 3 of the main characters don't act Japanese but are, Lupin(to me) is French, Jigen is American, Fujiko, Goemon and Zenigata are Japanese.

That's really more of a stereotype about anime from when Sailor Moon and Card Captor Sakura was the only impression people had. I'm sure you know that 'anime' is the abbreviated Japanese term for animation, of which the "Japanese school girl" theme is just one sub-genre of many. Yes, it gained popularity in the '90s, but anime has since has gone through a lot of fads. The "giant robot" sub-genre of the '80s is another example.

ultimateemail5000 wrote:Diskotecs releasing Part 1 of the series in June, and hopefully Part IV will be coming out in April as it is 99.9% confirmed. Apparently the TMS or whatever site announced the new series pulled the leaked info the next day. But I'm very confident its coming. Let's hope it gets picked up here in the states with in subtitles, or the Pioneer/Geneon cast.

That's sounds absolutely awesome. I'm mostly curious what the art style might be. Surely it'll be reminiscent of the manga and original show, but there's something there I don't think can be completely replicated.

Well its a good thing Lupin isn't about the school girl theme as its more of a western feel. In the comics when someones naked their privates are replaced with male and femal symbols which I always really liked.



Im pretty sure the same team that worked on this will also be doing the series as well, which looks like Monkey Punchs style. I know they could pull it off because there's an OVA based on a MP creation called Alice and its just like looking at his comics. And last but not least a promo art works for the series.



There is another one but its not safe for this site as Fujiko is completely naked on it. That video and the promo art alone look very promising.

I also found out the new series will be airing Wednesday at 1am, so there is a chance it will very raunchy the way Monkey Punch intended.

IMO the series dumbed down Lupin a lot for kids, though it's still probably a TV-14 here America since Japan has different standards. Also I noticed he has a blue jacket in the promo art and I always thought it'd be cool if they made a new series where he wears a blue jacket would be cool, i'd find it really awesome if I was right about that.

The new episode aired last Wednesday, I got to watch it live on Keyhole. I gotta say the animation is really good. I'd say it's like Heavy Metal, or some other early animation. The animators really pushed barriers with this one. It's nothing like the series that aired on AS. It's more like the green jacket series, mixed with the movie Mystery of Mamo. A lot of complaints were sort of made by the nudity in it. Fujiko uses her naked body a lot to seduce men, and she's topless and or naked about half of the show. Which is why it comes on so late in Japan.

Funimation picked up the streaming rights to the series so it should be online in June as it has a spring 2012 release. I hope everyone watches it so we can get a home video release since this is the first time Lupin's been picked up by a dubbing company since 05.

If anyone is interested a lot of specials and movies have been picked up by Discotek. Also if anyone wants to check out the first new episode to a Woman Named Fujiko it's available here. CAUTION: not at all meant for minors.

http://www.animeflavor.com/index.php?q=node/35006

I read a while ago that DiC wanted to produce a series called Lupin VIII for a Japanese/American/European audience, and even got as far as a "pilot," but the estate of Arsene Lupin's creator cried foul. DiC shuttered production on Lupin, but Inspector Gadget came from its ashes...or at least a few unused ideas. Must look into this.

Prime Evil wrote:I read a while ago that DiC wanted to produce a series called Lupin VIII for a Japanese/American/European audience, and even got as far as a "pilot," but the estate of Arsene Lupin's creator cried foul. DiC shuttered production on Lupin, but Inspector Gadget came from its ashes...or at least a few unused ideas. Must look into this.

You are absolutely right. Infact that pilot is floating around on youtube, only thing is it only has music and sound effects. Recently in Japan they released a Lupin special boxset that includes the episode for the first time and has the script in subtitles.

Dic toned it down a whole bunch, an exaomple replacing cigarettes with lollipops.

Oh and just an update the final episode of the new series was on Wednesday, and Funimation.com is streaming the entire series free. I haven't seen any eps since 6, since I'm juts gonna eagerly hope and wait they release it dubbed on dvd.

You know I think I'd really like this series but what should I start with? The manga or the anime?

1upmushroom wrote:You know I think I'd really like this series but what should I start with? The manga or the anime?

I would suggest the Red Jacket series, which was dubbed up to episode 78 or something like that. Or if you have Netflix and its still there, Castle of Cagliostro, which is directed by Hiyao Miyazaki, and it is by far an instant classic. If you like something dark and gritty like Cowboy Bebop, the latest series that's available streaming free at funimation.com Lupin III a Woman Named Fujiko Mine. Lupin is just one of those shows you can watch at any episode.

The entire first green jacket series was just released on DVD in Japanese with English subtitles. If you like the series then read the manga, the manga is very different then the show. It involves a lot of sex, nudity, and Lupin is a cold blooded killer who gets what he wants. I'm very glad you're interested in the series, let me know what you think of it. Funimation needs a lot of viewers for Woman Named Fujiko, if it gets enough there's a chance it will get an English dub.

Eh... American dubs of anime are notorious for being the TV equivalent to butcher NES ports.

Is this the case for the red jacket series?

1upmushroom wrote:Eh... American dubs of anime are notorious for being the TV equivalent to butcher NES ports.

Is this the case for the red jacket series?

Castle of Cagliostro is really close to the Japanese script, the red jacket series started out with a inaccurate script and fans got mad, so Pioneer/Geneon went closer to the original scripts. In the first couple of volumes of the red jacket series they would mention things like ebay and said something like" Its as big as Shaqs foot!" Even though it was made in the 70's. If you don't like dubs I would suggest watching Woman Named Fujiko at Funimation.com or Castle of Cagliostro. If you can find the old streamline dubbed movie of Secret of Mamo or the last two episodes those too.

Eh I think I'll just search for the original Japanese versions instead. Besides I don't mind reading subtitles.

Sounds good, Woman Named Fujiko is online at funimation.com, completely in Japanese with subs, and it's a back story to how the gang met. Which has never been done before (except for Episode 0 which sort of explained it but then unfolded with a lie). If you stumble across the early 70's Green jacket series, episode 4 is the best one, Lupin gets arrested and plots to break out of prison. The episode after explains how Goemon and Lupin meet which is an awesome episode.

I really do suggest Cagliostro though, it's such a good movie. The animation is way beyond it's time, and the voice of Lupin is done by the voice of Snake from Metal Gear, only a friendlier, none raspy style.

Really? Did David Hayter also work on the script? Or was this before he was a screenplay writer/

I am not to sure about that. They dubbed it I think in 2000, or 2002. So it was a long time ago. It's just such a good movie. Even Spielburg said its one of the greatest animated films of all time.

If you watch both Red and Green jacket episodes and you like them, you should definetly find a subbed version of Green VS Red. It's about Lupin basicly retiring and he wants to find a replacement, so hundreds of Lupin impersonators all around ever countries battle until there are two more left, the real Lupin(Red Jacket) and. The imposter Lupin (Green jacket) to settle the score to see who becomes the new Lupin. It's the best Lupin movie they made of the series since Cagliostro.

Apparently there's also a live action adaption as well. Not to mention 3 OVAs! Wow. This Lupin series is very popular!

1upmushroom wrote:Apparently there's also a live action adaption as well. Not to mention 3 OVAs! Wow. This Lupin series is very popular!

The live action movie is very slapstick, some fans don't like it, I appreciate it. To me it's like a Japanese Austin Powers.

They have a huge amount of TV Specials, I think they started those in 87 or 88. The last one was in 2011. The TV specials aren't that great though, to me I don't like the 90's specials because they made them too animeish.

They have 6 movies, all of them have been released in the states dubbed and subbed. Live Action, Mystery of Mamo, Castle of Cagliostro, Gold Babylon, To Hell with Nostrodamous, and Dead oor Alive.

The OVA's are Fuma Conspiracy, (I forget the middle one), Green VS Red, and a new one that came out exclusively for the Japanese Lupin Japanese box.

The series itself is over 200 episodes, The Green Jacket, Red jacket, Pink Jacket, and the latest Woman Named Fujiko. Which just ended, and it's a prequel sort of to the green jacket series.

It's a series that has a lot of movies, specials, ovas, and manga. It's a great series that doesn't seem to be ending any time soon.

Wait, the new series ended already?! Oh yeah, it was a mini series. Nevermind.

1upmushroom wrote:Wait, the new series ended already?! That was quick, how many episodes did it have?

It had 13 episodes, it wasn't supposed to be a huge series, it's also the first Lupin series where every episode dealt with previous ones. Not just random episodes. I guess it was more of a continuation series. I enjoyed the first 6 episodes I watched. I still don't know if Goemon and Lupin met in the new series, I really hope they didn't because it would make an awesome prequel to the first series.

My dream ending for the Fujiko series was Lupin saying he was going to have a derby heist, then you watch the green jacket series and it continues from that. the first episode of the green jacket was about a derby heist so it would have been perfect.

Have you seen the abridged series on YouTube? It's actually pretty funny at least to me it is.

1upmushroom wrote:Have you seen the abridged series on YouTube? It's actually pretty funny at least to me it is.

I think I have completely forgot. I've seen DBZ Abridged by Team4Star who do a funny job.

Pfft, who needs something like Netflix when they have the power of Youtube?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V97CjH- ... ture=mv_sr

However, it's the English version but as they all say, Beggers can't be choosers.

1upmushroom wrote:Pfft, who needs something like Netflix when they have the power of Youtube?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V97CjH- ... ture=mv_sr

However, it's the English version but as they all say, Beggers can't be choosers.

Oh hell I forgot about that, I remember seeing it on there a long time ago. Good job finding it hope you enjoy it.

I'm about 55 minutes in and so far the only real complaint I have with it are the Viewers are Morons bits.

Jigen and Zenigara could have had better actors, they aren't horrible or anything, it's that the voices are just too growl like and cartoony unlike the most of the other characters.

Also the bit where Lupin is talking to Clarisse about "trusting the theif" and all that was a bit cheesy. I don't know I just didn't like that bit too much.

Other than those two nitpicks and one complaint, so far it's a great movie. Probably the best thing about this movie was David Hayter who's very passionate in the role of Lupin and does a very good job.

1upmushroom wrote:I'm about 55 minutes in and so far the only real complaint I have with it are the Viewers are Morons bits.

Jigen and Zenigara could have had better actors, they aren't horrible or anything, it's that the voices are just too growl like and cartoony unlike the most of the other characters.

Also the bit where Lupin is talking to Clarisse about "trusting the theif" and all that was a bit cheesy. I don't know I just didn't like that bit too much.

Other than those two nitpicks and one complaint, so far it's a great movie. Probably the best thing about this movie was David Hayter who's very passionate in the role of Lupin and does a very good job.

I agree about Jigens voice, it sounds way too raspy. The best englsih dub Jigen is the Pioneer red Jacket dub and Chris Sabat funimation dub they did for 10 tv specials. Jigens Pioneer dub voice sounds, laid back, and cool, which really fits the character. Same goes for Chris Sabats interpretation of the character.

Lupin was saying some very cheesy lines to Clarise. Probably to woo her, or something. Hayter does a really great Lupin. I think Hayter and the original Streamline dubbed movies and episodes. (There's actually two dubs to Cagliostro, the first dub from the 90's was dubbed before they could call Lupin, Lupin, and they call him Wolf, which is actually the translation to Lupin) the other VA's make Lupin sound silly and nerdy. My least favorite Lupin voice is probably Sonny Strait because all I hear is Krillin from Dragonball Z talk. Tony Oliver does a really good job too.

If you end up watching Mystery of Mamo that is the Pioneer, or Streamline dub which has a different cast. Lupin never had a solid VA cast. Mamo is more based on the style of the comics, tall lanky characters.

Here's a fan trailer of Mamo, I think this movie is actually on Hulu, or if you can find it on youtube. The Pioneer.

And here's a trailer to A Woman Called Fujiko

Ah, so THAT's why there's another video of Castle of Cagilostro, now it makes sense. So again should I hunt for the subbed Secret of Mamo or the Dubbed Secret of Mamo?

Was Mamo even dubbed at all? God, I hate being a noob!

1upmushroom wrote:Ah, so THAT's why there's another video of Castle of Cagilostro, now it makes sense. So again should I hunt for the subbed Secret of Mamo or the Dubbed Secret of Mamo?

Was Mamo even dubbed at all? God, I hate being a noob!

It depends, I always enjoyed the dubbed version because I like the Pioneer cast. There's another dub by a company also called Streamline who also went out of business. Their dub is okay, it was like dubbed in 93 so the acting is kind of poor. But some lines they say in the Pioneer dub some awkward, like Goemon telling Jigen his hats hiding a bald spot as big as ass. But the best part is Zenigata and Lupin, the Zenigata voice is so funny. He's chasing him the whole time old fashion Zenigata style. I think you'd like the dub, but keep in mind its not the same voice cast as Cagliostro. Except Goemon in Cagliostro is actually Jigen in Mamo.

Hmm, I guess I'll go for the better dub. Also, did the Green Jacket DVD set go out of print or are they still selling them?

1upmushroom wrote:Hmm, I guess I'll go for the better dub. Also, did the Green Jacket DVD set go out of print or are they still selling them?

It actually just went on last week, and is available online. From what I hear the master they used for it was the blu-ray, or better. I actually own the Japanese bluray set (completely Japanese language no subtitles) and that remastering is very well done.

Well I finally got Castle of Cagliostro on DVD. From the looks it, it's the manga DVD version but I haven't watched it yet.

The only version of that movie on DVD is the Manga version. The Streamline version never came out on DVD just VHS, but their Mamo version did.

Sadly, I couldn't find any of the Jacket series nor could I find either version of Mamo.

1upmushroom wrote:Sadly, I couldn't find any of the Jacket series nor could I find either version of Mamo.

I would check amazon.com or find torrents of the show. If you wanna throw down 15$ amazon has the first three volumes. It comes with Japanese and English language with subtitles.

EDIT July 17th: I just read that Discotek is re-re-releasing Mystery of Mamo. This version will have not 1, but 4 English dubs. The late 70's Toho English dub that was meant for airflights to Japan. The 94 Streamline dub, the 2003 Pioneer/Geneon dub, and the 2005 UK dub. And of course the Japanese dub. I have never seen the 70's and UK dub, so I am very interested to get this release, as Mystery of Mamo is a great movie.

ADAM SANDLER: THREAD

Movieguy wrote:ADAM SANDLER: THREAD

Adam Sandler is in no way, or even resemble Lupin. He's way too trashy. He's not classy enough, and he has to keep the white trash entertained with fart jokes, talking gorillas, Jack and Jill, and so fourth.

Clint Eastwood: Jigen.

C'mon, There's SOME potential in this one!

1upmushroom wrote:Clint Eastwood: Jigen.

C'mon, There's SOME potential in this one!

I wish this could have happenedbut Jason Lee looksway too old now.



EDIT: Funimation has aquired the home video rights to the new Fujiko series. Meaning we will probably get a dub. From what I hear Funimation has been properly dubbing anime now, and hopefully we will get a good one. But I still don't want Sony Strait as Lupin.

You know after rewatching the Castle of Cagliostro I have to give a lower score in my opinion, mostly because of how Lupin is protrayed. In that movie, he's very much a gentlemen theif and says things like Trust the theif and such. Now I'm bothered by this because well...this is Lupin we're talking about.

1upmushroom wrote:You know after rewatching the Castle of Cagliostro I have to give a lower score in my opinion, mostly because of how Lupin is protrayed. In that movie, he's very much a gentlemen theif and says things like Trust the theif and such. Now I'm bothered by this because well...this is Lupin we're talking about.

That's how Miyazaki made Lupin for that movie, and hand full of episodes he directed of the green jacket series. This Fujiko series is how Lupin acts in the manga. He's much worst though in the manga, he's a cold blooded killer, who rapes, and steals what he wants when he wants. Zenigata is even a bigger badass than he is anywhere else. He also curses a lot in the manga. Jigen doesnt use his trusty magnum,but a P-38 like Lupin. Jigen is also as horny as Lupin is. For example Lupin says Fujiko screwed them over, and he says, "No man, she f***ed you she screwed us!" Goemon...he's the same. And Fujiko uses sex to get what she wants, much as she is potrayed in the new series that just came out.

The best part of the new series is the fact that it's done by some people who worked on Cowboy Bebop, which is inspired by Lupin. Even the music is done by director of Bebop.