Episode spotlight - Part II: 99

The Combat Magnum Scattered in the Wasteland, the 99th episode of the Part II series aired in Japan on the 3rd of September 1979.

The show kicked off with familiar opening titles to that of the other episodes before it, only with one added twist. Sound effects were scattered throughout the opening - from engine noises of Lupin’s bright yellow Mercedes-Benz SSK zooming along, to the deadly sword slashes of Goemon Ishikawa’s Zantetsuken. Even Inspector Zenigata and his police officers, forever in pursuit of the thief, now emit the sound of their shoes hitting the cold cobbled floor beneath them as they give chase.

This was the first time a Japanese animated TV show aired in stereo in Japan, and the team behind the episode had gone all out.

It is hard to think about how revolutionary stereo sound was back in the day. In 2019, we are now used to 4K screens, streaming services, smart speakers and ear buds. Back in 1979, this was a big deal. It was the next big step up for colour televisions, and Lupin III with all of his weekly antics and adventures was the perfect place to show it off.

The Combat Magnum Scattered in the Wasteland is not only a great showcase of early stereo sound, but it is also a fantastic episode of Part II.

All members of the main cast get a decent amount of screen time, with a story that features throwbacks to Jigen’s past and introduces a cool new villain. There are chases and antics between the gang and Inspector Zenigata, all of which feel like some of the most memorable from the series.

Lupin catches a whiff of the Hannibal coin, a one of a kind object that is said to help lead the way to where the hero Hannibal buried his riches. After an incredibly exciting opening featuring a memorable car chase with Inspector Zenigata, the gang head abroad to locate the lost treasure, with Zenigata following closely behind.

Meanwhile, Jigen bumps into his old rival Stoneman, a foe he inadvertently stood up a several years back due to unfortunate luck with a broken-down car. As their paths cross, their rivalry ignites and both gunmen agree to a dual - the location of which, by sheer coincidence, is the same site Hannibal supposedly buried his loot.

The climax of the episode features a rattled Jigen, scrambling around to reassemble his trusty .357 magnum to eventually take a single shot - more than enough to take down his opponent. He narrowly makes it out of the dig site and across the border before the final gate closes and rides off into the sunset as the absolute stoic hero he (thinks he) is.

The animation was handled by Studio Telecom, a familiar name to Lupin fans, as they are still involved with the production of the series even to this day. Telecom, at the time, was made up of various animators that went on to work at the revered Studio Ghibli, and their talent certainly shows. This was their fifth episode to feature in the Part II series, and certainly not the last. Their work always shines, and their unique style and strong animation work always makes their episodes feel as if they have very high production values.

Although not officially credited, some rumour Hayao Miyazaki’s involvement in the creation of the episode - mostly as a section of the episode features aviation, a staple of his work and interests. While Miyazaki did spend some time working on the original TV series and a couple of late episodes of Part II, this does just appear to be coincidence - although we do not know for sure!

The car chase and plane segments did prove a great way of showcasing the episodes stereo sound, with the engine of the Austin Mini Cooper and Zenigata’s police cars whirring from one speaker to the next. During the plane sequence, a dog fight breaks out that involves bullets flying from one side of the screen to the other – again, a great way of showcasing the dual speaker set up. This all fits right into an episode of Part II, while at the same time acts as a technical tour de force.

There is an amazing balance of comedy, adventure, action and suspense in this episode. It features all the staples of what made Part II so great and is an essential watch if you are looking into checking out the show. Japanese fans also met the episode with positive reception, and it came in at number six in the “Lupin III Best Selection” episode ranking.

What are your opinions on The Combat Magnum Scattered in the Wasteland and where does it rank amongst your favourites of Part II? Please feel free to let us know by leaving a comment below!