Lupin the Third (TV Part 1)

Aired: 1971 - 1972

An action anime produced by Tokyo Movie, based on Monkey Punch's manga. World-renowned thief Lupin III—self-proclaimed grandson of Arsene Lupin—with gunman Daisuke Jigen, master swordsman Goemon Ishikawa, and femme fatale Fujiko Mine, pursue treasures globally while fleeing the relentless Inspector Zenigata. Before the iconic "Lupin III Theme" existed, Takeo Yamashita's jazzy/bossa nova score and Yasuo Yamada's (the original voice) unique delivery shaped the hard-boiled, adult sensibility. Initially underperforming, reruns rekindled massive popularity, building a franchise spanning half a century. Notably, Yasuo Otsuka, Isao Takahata, and Hayao Miyazaki took over direction mid-series. 23 episodes.

©モンキー・パンチ／TMS