Phantom thieves might be making a comeback in anime, if the recent announcement ofLupin the Third’s first 2D movie in decades is any indication. For the uninitiated,Lupin the Thirdis a story about a master thief by the same name, grandson of fictional French gentleman thief Arsène Lupin (who, as an aside, is broadly credited with the later widespread popularity of gentleman thieves in fiction).Lupinhas a singular voice, bridging comedy and adventure with action, heart, and sex appeal. It’s an essential formula in entertainment—because it works.
Debuting in 1967, the series would go on to becomeone of the most renowned and timeless anime franchises, with Lupin developing an iconic status in Japan and Italy and a devoted cult following elsewhere in the world.Lupin the Thirdhas spawned countless movies, TV releases, and countless manga. Fans have even gotten in on the action, sinceLupin’s episodic format lends itself well to one-off stories that aren’t “canon”, per se. However, despite its prolific catalog of adventures,Lupinhasn’t actually received a 2D feature-length film in over thirty years. Now, that’s going to change.
Lupin the Third Goes Back to 2D Animation With Lupin the IIIrd the Movie
In the early hours of November 29, it was announced thatLupin the Thirdwould receive a new 2D film entitledLupin the IIIrd the Movie.Manga Mogure RE posted on Xthatthe film would receive a 2025 release and would be directed by Takeshi Koike, the animation director ofLupin the IIIrd: The Woman Called FujikoMine. Meanwhile, the film will be produced by TMS Entertainment and animated by Telecom Animation Film, which has been working with theLupinfranchise since 1977’s animeLupin III Part 2and is also known for recent productions likeTower of God. A trailer was provided by TMS Entertainment’s YouTube channel, shown above.
The film is a major move for the franchise, whose last 2D feature-length film wasLupin III: Dead or Alivein 1996. Technically speaking, it’s the first 2D film since then with onlyLupinIP and a purpose-written story: other films would include aDetective Conancrossover and the spin-off films forThe Woman Called Fujiko Mine(coincidentally also directed by Koike). Afterward came 2019’sLupin III: The First, a 3D CGI adventure renowned for its beautiful animation.Lupin the IIIrd the Movieis an exciting fresh start for the franchise.
Lupin III And The Return Of Thieves
It’s silly on the surface to say that phantom thieves have died out in fiction. 2016’s blockbuster JRPGPersona 5was centered around the concept and drew countless eyes of fans who were otherwise anime and JRPG fans, seamlessly blending superhero-inspired design with the fatal allure of a meticulously planned psychedelic burglary. The output of sleek and sexy morally ambiguous thieves has been steady—though likely less prolific than in its heyday decades ago.
Until recently, that is. TheLupin the IIIrd the Firstannouncement comes only days after Disney announcedthe revival of fellow travelerCAT’S EYE, a series whose last anime adaptation was almost 40 years ago. The connection between the pair isn’t insignificant: just last year in 2023, a crossover considered decades overdue arrived as an ONA calledLUPIN THE 3rd VS CAT’S EYE. It’s too early to identify a broader trend, but there seems to be something more than simple nostalgia at work as a generation without a Lupin, James Bond, or Goku to call their own starts looking to the giants of their respective genres for inspiration.
For gentleman thieves and phantom thieves, one can hardly do better thanLupin’s titular character, speeding toward them in his little yellow Fiat inLupin the IIIrd the Movie, expected to debut in 2025.
Lupin the 3rd Part 1
Cast
Lupin the 3rd Part 1 is the inaugural series based on Monkey Punch’s manga, featuring the master thief Arsène Lupin III. Released in 1971, the series follows Lupin and his associates—sharpshooter Daisuke Jigen, samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII, and femme fatale Fujiko Mine—as they undertake daring heists and evade the relentless Inspector Zenigata. Bridging action with humor, the show set the stage for the long-running Lupin the 3rd franchise.
