Lupin III: Part 6 story details revealed!
Story details for the upcoming Lupin III: Part 6 animated TV series have been revealed!
Licensing company Sentai Filmworks will be handling distribution of the show within North America, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and all Nordic countries. Details on distribution within other countries are still to be announced, and likely not handled by Sentai.
As such, Part 6 is due to stream digitally in the aforementioned territories alongside the Japanese language broadcast, which is kicking off this October, 2021. Viewers will be able to catch the show over on streaming service HIDIVE.
Now we get to the good stuff!
As part of the licensing announcement, Sentai Filmworks have also revealed initial story details of the show - which is to be majorly set in the city of London. To our delight - the series seems to have a heavy focus on the relationship between Lupin III and famous private detective, Sherlock Holmes (and yes, that’s Sherlock Holmes, not Herlock Sholmes - Maurice Leblanc, eat your heart out)!
Check out the blurb below!
Gentleman thief Lupin III is back and ready for his next caper - unless legendary sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, has anything to say about it! When Holmes' longtime partner, Dr. Watson, is murdered, none other than Lupin tops the suspects list. With Holmes fast closing in, Lupin must prove his innocence and bring a shadowy organisation called "The Raven" to heel if he wants to live to steal another day!
Holmes III made an appearance during two episodes of the Lupin III: Part II TV series
This is not the first time the popular fictional detective has shown up in the Lupin III franchise, with his descendant, Holmes III, starring in episodes fifteen and ninety-seven of Lupin III: Part II.
A home video release of the series is due to be announced after the show has finished airing on streaming platforms, likely in early 2022.
Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, why not check out the brand new official English language website for the show?
It’s unusual for a new TV show or film in the series to have such a formal announcement in the West ahead of its initial broadcast in Japan - with the exception of 2015’s Part 4, which made its debut with an Italian release.
This is no doubt part of TMS Entertainment’s plan for giving Lupin III a boost outside of Japan, in their self-proclaimed “Year of Lupin”.
However, while the announcement of Part 6’s story and localisation is no doubt an exciting one for many fans of the show, there is a whiff of disappointment in the air.
Discotek Media, who have handled almost all recent Lupin III series releases within the United States, do not appear to be involved with Part 6. This is likely a decision that has come, in part, from TMS Entertainment USA, and it may mean a number of things.
Firstly, will a brand new English dub cast be introduced - or, will we see the likes of Tony Oliver, Richard Epcar, Lex Lang, Michelle Ruff and Doug Erholtz reprise their roles, as per previous Discotek Media releases?
Will the price of the eventual physical DVD / Blu-ray set be extortionate, and will it still uphold the tremendous level of quality seen in Discotek Media products?
What we will say - for now - is that it is a bit too early to tell. TMS Entertainment clearly have big plans for the series abroad as of late, and we can’t wait to see what Part 6 has in store for us.
Lupin facing off with Sherlock Holmes in the city of London… it’s been a long time coming, but we are certain this will be an encounter you will not want to miss!
