Lupin ZERO: The final verdict
Welcome to our final review of the prequel series Lupin ZERO, a six-episode long ONA (original net animation) by TMS and Telecom Animation Film.
Be aware that there are SPOILERS ahead.
Please only read on if you either have seen the film already, or do not mind learning about important character interactions and pivotal plot points in advance.
When Lupin III VS. Cat’s Eye was announced towards the end of last year, I could not help but feel pessimistic. While pleased to see the return of the pink jacket, and the much beloved Cat’s Eye girls, the sub-par 3D animation and familiar sounding premise was enough to make me roll my eyes. As you may know, if you read our episode reviews, I did not particularly enjoy Part 6. As a fan of the show for around fourteen years now, I understand we have had many ups and downs, and for me, this was likely just a low point. Regardless, because of my disappointment with Part 6, I had begun to fall slightly out of love with the series, and the prospect of another potential Lupin III VS. Detective Conan style cross-over did not leave me jumping for joy.
Thankfully, if almost in direct response to my concerns, Daisuke Sakō, Ichirō Ōkōchi, and the staff at Telecom Animation Film dropped the announcement of Lupin ZERO, a six episode direct-to-online prequel. Based on the Young Lupin III manga stories by Monkey Punch, the show was to adapt a glimpse into Lupin III’s adolescent years, in animated form, for the first time. At the time of its announcement, it felt new and exciting. The character design and animation style immediately popped – reminiscent of the inception of blue jacket Lupin with Part 4, one of my personal favourite eras of the show. The production team seemed to be full of talented individuals, having worked on some of the stronger moments of Lupin’s more recent years. Then – a big one, for me – the music. Yoshihide Ōtomo’s return to Part 1 background tracks evoked a large sense of nostalgia within me, and it helped make the show feel like the return to roots this franchise so needed – especially off the back of my displeasure for Part 6.
Naturally, the Lupin fan community blew up with the announcement. Like with all major releases, fan-theories and speculation on the show’s contents began to spread across social media. Would the rest of the gang show up? Would we see a darker side to Lupin, akin to his Part 1 self? Will everything tie into the original series, or The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, or something else? It soon become apparent that, while focusing on Lupin III himself and ultimately his decision of what path to walk in life, the series was to star a young Jigen, and also throw both Lupin I and Lupin II into the mix. People online, myself included, began to get tremendously excited, hoping this new venture would not disappoint.
And it didn’t. In fact, for me, it even exceeded my lofty expectations, and Lupin ZERO is now one of my favourite things released as part of this franchise to date.
In my opinion, Lupin is at its best when focusing on the core cast. The Fuma Conspiracy, despite its flaws, is and has always been my favourite work in the franchise. Why? It features all five series mainstays equally, whilst developing their characters in the process (primarily, in this instance, Goemon). It does help that it is also beautifully animated, with exciting action scenes, some romance, a fun car chase – but primarily, for me, it’s for this reason that I think it stands above the rest. It’s easy for other films, specials, and series to lose sight of this. A new heroine or villain steps onto the scene, and our band of thieves slip into the same roles, tropes, and hit on all the same notes as they often do. It isn’t long before we hear that familiar Treasures of Time music track play, as Lupin departs some words of wisdom to a starry-eyed female companion or goes up against the latest ex-military general of the week, as they and their PMC attempt to get their hands on the latest treasure.
ZERO, while containing some of these tropes and straddling that line on occasion, manages to avoid this.
In it, we get some fun role reversals, with a focus on the relationship between Lupin and his future partner, Jigen. Our hardened hatted friend takes the slot as the supporting role in ZERO – essentially becoming that heroine / hero that we have seen so many times throughout the franchise’s history. Only this time, it’s fulfilled using a core member of the cast. It works, and Ichirō Ōkōchi along with the rest of the writing staff tell a sweet, coming of age story about the relationship of two boys. It does feel romantic. It feels sincere. It’s also filled with twists and turns, as the pair discover who they are, and how they feel the way they do towards one another. Most importantly, across all six episodes, the exploration of the relationship between the two remains tasteful. After fifty years of content to build upon, I feel exploring such a topic must have been difficult and daunting to the staff behind the show. These individuals rose to the challenge, though, and clearly did not hold back. It tells an incredibly brave and valuable story of the two series protagonists, both of whom are already so beloved, and the franchise, both old and new, is better off thanks to it.
Other characters, such as Lupin I and Lupin II, as well as newcomers Yoko and Shinobu, help keep things interesting. Hearing Toshio Furukawa return as Lupin II, essentially reprising a role he once felt shunned for doing in The Fuma Conspiracy, was a treat. The character felt softer and more rounded than he did back in the original manga series – but I felt that worked well, here. He by no means came across as an admirable fatherly figure, but provides enough support and words of wisdom for his son for me to not absolutely despise him. Rather than Lupin III fitting that trope and doing the same for the heroine of the week, this time, it’s his father. I felt this minor tweak from the source material was worthwhile considering the role Lupin I plays in the series. His character is far more selfish, even sinister, as the deranged old man (literally) steals hearts, and gambles on the fate of an entire city filled with innocent people. He provides a level of dark comedy found in the original stories, and this complimented Lupin II’s character nicely.
Shinbou was a character I would like to have seen more of. The kick-ass maid provided a superb supporting role, and a great Fujiko-but-more-hardened style love interest for Lupin II, but often fell to the wayside to let other cast members take the spotlight. I think I speak for many when I say that I would love to see a continuation of ZERO, and more adventures with both her and Lupin II would be much appreciated. It feels as if there are still things to learn about Shinobu – and if we can get twelve episodes dedicated to the controlling Tomoe, and her relationship with Lupin in Part 6, I feel like Shinobu deserves something more.
My biggest issue with ZERO, though, lies with Yoko and Gaucho, and their involvement in the story of episodes five and six. There is a lot to love about both episodes – and I would say generally, I enjoyed ninety-five percent of both – but the villain, and the conclusion, felt a little unsatisfactory to me. Gaucho is a rebel fighting for a cause he believes in, and Yoko, a gorgeous singer tangled up in his feud, driven by his desire to make a difference. Gaucho’s character began slowly crossing that line into familiar Lupin territory – a man of war, raising the stakes by stealing a treasure regardless of the consequences. In this case, at least in Lupin’s eyes, that treasure was Yoko – and in the series’ climax, she tosses away her life in front of Lupin’s eyes. It is superb character development for our hero – seeing someone he cares for so much disappear before him, and learning that his views and actions may not always be the best for other people. Still, the leadup to this, and the scenes with Gaucho, felt a little tiresome. I appreciate Lupin more when the villain is more out-there, and not tied down to war, and the realities of the modern world. While it isn’t offensive here in ZERO, it is just something we have seen many times before, and I can’t help but think the series may have been even better, had a different direction been taken here.
As I mentioned, though, both episodes are still an excellent watch. In fact, all of them are. The fourth episode, with Lupin and Jigen bickering over the location of their hideout, and attempting to secure a secret underground whiskey pipe, remains my favourite. This episode is a lot of fun, with some great slapstick, an exciting action scene towards the end, and a strong focus on the relationship between the two boys. The reoccurring detail of Jigen’s broken lighter, and it only working after returning to the hideout with his new pal at the end of the episode, signifying that Lupin keeps the light inside of him going, is one of the sweetest things in this franchise to date. I doubt I will ever tire of watching it, and this moment will always leave a lump in my throat.
It's funny, because like Jigen in episode four, Lupin ZERO has lit a fire inside of me, too. Lupin, as a franchise, has gotten me through some tough times. Going on these adventures with him and the gang, indulging in my writing, and this website, has helped keep me going over the years.
ZERO has helped serve as a reminder of when this series gets good, it gets good. I have enjoyed watching, talking about, and writing about this series again, and indulging in those things. There has been, and always will be, plenty of ups and downs. The beauty of Lupin and the core cast is that everything is so flexible. It allows for a wide range of different styles and tones, and that is an important aspect to help keep the show fresh and interesting. Knowing that we got ZERO, and have the potential to see more like it in future, has helped me look back at Part 6 slightly more fondly, and still find some enjoyment in VS. Cat’s Eye.
Perhaps someday, we will see a second season of ZERO. As it stands, six episodes feels just about right, and I pray to the Lupin Gods that both Daisuke Sakō and Ichirō Ōkōchi, if they so desire, can remain involved with the show for many years to come.
I would like to give a couple of quick shout-outs before ending the article.
Firstly, to Ian Fagen, who has worked on Lupin ZERO as a member of the English language localisation team at HIDIVE and Sentai Filmworks. Ian was kind enough to agree to an interview with us at the time Part 6 began airing, and he continues to go the extra mile when translating the characters of Lupin into English. It is apparent that he pays special attention to each of them, and thinks carefully about the lines and phrases he chooses. His work is a highlight of both ZERO and Part 6, and I hope his journey with working on the franchise continues into the distant future. Thank you, Ian!
Secondly, to the Sideburns and Cigarettes podcast crew. The gang, along with Ian, have provided two superb episodes detailing their thoughts on all six episodes of Lupin ZERO. If you are yet to listen along, I strongly advise you to do so – not only to hear their opinions, but to also learn interesting titbits about the localisation from Ian. You won’t want to miss them.
That’s everything, thank you for reading!
