Monkey News - Planes, Trains and Lupin III
Welcome to Monkey News, your weekly news update for everything Lupin III.
New Yasuo Ōtsuka art book arrives in Japan this July!
A new collection of artwork by Yasuo Ōtsuka launches in Japan on July 31st, 2020.
The book, which is named “Lupin III, Cars and Locomotives” will feature the gang alongside a collection of different vehicles. All art included in the book has been illustrated by Ōtsuka during his time involved with the franchise.
Yasuo Ōtsuka is very much a second father to Lupin III. Alongside Kazuhiko Katō (Monkey Punch). Ōtsuka had heavy involvement with the original pilot film from 1969, and also in adapting Katō’s original comic strips to television format with the Part I TV series.
He continued as an animator come supervisor, working on other series such as Part II, and major films such as The Mystery of Mamo, The Castle of Cagliostro, The Fuma Conspiracy and more.
Another notable fact is that the famous yellow Fiat 500 from the series was in fact driven by Ōtsuka in the 1970’s. It is said that he is responsible for its inclusion in the show, and that he added it not only as he saw it every day (therefore knowing the ins and outs and being able to animate it with a, added level of expertise), but also as a homage to fans in Italy.
The book is currently up for pre-order over on Amazon Japan and retails at 3,850 yen. Note that the artwork shown at the top of this post is from a previous Yasuo Ōtsuka art book release, named Lupin III, Drawing as hard as I can!
Huge thanks to Maia for the heads up!
Photo credit: Kimi_Bossa @ Twitter
New Fujiko Mine master stars piece figurine is now available in Japan!
The latest Lupin release in the long line of master stars figurines from toy company Banpresto is now available in Japan!
Fujiko Mine’s Lupin III: The First variant can be won from various SEGA themed UFO catchers, and also can be picked up from all good hobby stores.
While at time of writing there has been no announcement for further releases in this line, we can only hope to see the rest of the gang get the 3DCG figurine treatment at some point in the future.
