Review: Part 6 “Episode 16 ~ Samurai Collection”
Welcome to our episode review of Lupin III: Part 6!
Our review is from the perspective of a “hardcore” Lupin III fan, who has seen every episode, film, and special the series has had to offer since its animated inception in 1969. The author's perspective on modern anime however, is lacking. When it comes to anime, we exclusively watch Lupin III, so cannot compare it to other shows on the market. Instead, we can only compare it with Lupin media of the past.
Be aware that there are SPOILERS ahead.
Please only read on if you either have seen the episode already, or do not mind learning about important character interactions and pivotal plot points in advance.
“Episode 16 ~ Samurai Collection” of Lupin III: Part 6 is guest-written by Tomoko Shinozuka.
It features a much lighter tone than any of the episodes included in the series so far, and stars fan-favourite samurai Goemon Ishikawa as he becomes wrapped up in a fashion show.
It is a hot mess of an episode, and simply an excuse to see the stoic, serious samurai in some goofy outfits, and a dumb situation.
After going a little too far as part of his training, famous fashion designer for GJ “Gabby” happens to spot our samurai falling into some frozen water.
After fishing the frozen popsicle out from the lake and warming him up with a mug of hot tea back on her boat, Gabby asks Goemon to step in as a model for an upcoming runway event. Not wanting to say “no” to the woman who has just potentially saved his life, Goemon decides to get ready for his big fashion debut.
Our new supermodel samurai's preparation for the runway event is something he cannot shrug off—not when indebted to Gabby.
In an attempt to do the best on the job he possibly can, the samurai walks up and down the training room a thousand times a day. I thought this sequence was a lot of fun. As ridiculous as the situation is, the idea fits Goemon. When it comes to training, no matter the cause, it would not be something he could take lightly, even if it does result in him collapsing in tiredness.
While Jigen is absent from this adventure, Fujiko and Lupin are both thrown into the mix.
Fujiko commissions Lupin to snag some of Gabby’s outfits from the upcoming event. Unaware of Goemon’s involvement, the pair hatch a ridiculous “Team Rocket” style plan to suck all the outfits up, ripping them straight off of the models using large vacuum cleaning drones.
Again—it’s incredibly stupid, but a lot of fun.
While I didn’t find Gabby herself particularly interesting, I did enjoy her fashion show, which features as the episode’s climax.
Inspector Zenigata and “Yata” are in attendance. While “Yata” is star-struck at every turn, Zenigata keeps his eye on the prize. He is, of course, there to finally arrest Lupin once and for all, in what could be the most glamorous arrest the force has made to date!
Before that can happen, though, the lights dim and the show begins.
When Goemon takes centre stage, he does so in a variety of extravagant outfits, showcasing Gabby’s latest work. Lupin shows up on stage in “camel-flage”, makes his attendance known to Goemon ahead of his grand heist, and the two start to bicker—with Goemon not wanting him to ruin things for his saviour.
Thankfully, it turns out that this added spice is exactly what the show needed. Gabby encourages Goemon to attack our thief—who can be seen flying around on top of his drone like “Doctor Robotnik” from Sonic—and save the day.
Gabby soon realizes that the outfits did not necessarily matter—and the morale of the tale is that the true beauty is Goemon’s perfect pizzaz, something I'm sure we can all agree with.
What episode sixteen lacks in action and daring heists, it makes up for in comedy.
I especially got a chuckle out of the comments regarding Goemon holding his “Zantetsuken” beside him during the cat walk training, and the mention of “walking the path of the runway” when entrusting Gabby with his precious sword. Both the original dialogue and the English translation knew exactly how to deliver these jokes, and they helped make for a nice, refreshing change from Part 6’s more serious character moments.
The writing feels well aware of how ridiculous everything is, and as such, I think this episode succeeds in everything it has set out to do.
Is “Samurai Collection” an all-time great? No, most certainly not.
Instead, it’s a silly adventure that pokes fun at not only Goemon, but the series as a whole. It throws the gang into an absurd situation that is sure to make even the most veteran Lupin fan smile, and it makes for a nice change of pace from Part 6’s often dull storytelling.
It almost feels like a one-shot storyline episode from Part 4 or Part 5, and I am here for it.
Give this one a watch, Goemon fans. I think, so long as you do not go in expecting revolutionary, genius storytelling, you are in for a good time.
