Lupin Zero

How did this young boy become notorious gentleman thief "Lupin III"?

Loosely based on Young Lupin III from the original manga, Lupin Zero will tell a nostalgic, yet brand new original story, finally lifting the veil cast upon Lupin III's humble beginnings. Set during the era in which the original series was first published, the anime depicts Young Lupin III running around the streets of 1960's Japan during the country's economic boom.

A young boy climbs the staircase to villainhood. What was he thinking and what steps did he take? This is the untold origin story of the world's greatest thief.

(Source: TMS Entertainment)

Lupin III Main

Hatanaka, Tasuku Japanese

Jigen, Daisuke Main

Takeuchi, Shunsuke Japanese

Lupin II Supporting

Furukawa, Toshio Japanese

d'Andrésy, Albert Supporting

Kobayashi, Yuu Japanese

Marina Supporting

Miyamoto, Yume Japanese

Youko Supporting

Hayami, Saori Japanese

Shinobu Supporting

Yukinari, Toa Japanese

Lupin I Supporting

Yasuhara, Yoshito Japanese

Kouda, Takahiro Producer

Sakou, Daisuke Director

Tange, Yuuji Sound Director

Yonetani, Yoshitomo Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Feb 3, 2023

Ionliosite2

Recommended

Lupin Zero is the latest series in the 50 years old Lupin III franchise, and it presents itself as a prequel set during Lupin’s childhood, explaining the story of how this young boy became the titular thief the series title refers to. This review is coming from someone with no prior experience with the Lupin III franchise, and who in fact decided to use this being a short prequel to introduce himself to it, so I may have missed some references and late arrival spoilers people familiar with the other series would know, but I have to say that this series has a lot of ... style I really dig.

The plot of Lupin Zero can be divided in two parts, the first 4 episodes being episodic adventures that mostly serve show the characters and their dynamic, and the last 2 episodes are about a criminal crisis breaking in Tokyo that forces Lupin to choose if he’ll become a thief like the rest of his legacy. While the latter is obviously a foregone conclusion, I’d say that the ride is what’s more important in this series, with the last episode change of Lupin dropping his blue school uniform in favor of a black suit with tie and a green jacket on top being the perfect representation of the theme that all these 6 episodes share: Lupin’s journey to adulthood.

Even if the plot isn’t much to talk about beyond its themes, the characters are the aspect that really made this series stand out. Lupin is a charming trickster overflowing with creativity, while his classmate Jigen is a serious and relatively down to earth boy who is still willing to get into troubles along with Lupin, so the relationship between these two bounces off really well. The other characters aren’t explored as much as those two, but they’re so bold in presentation you can see their personality shine, from Lupin I being a cartoony but clever villain, Lupin II being a master of disguise who sees his talent at this job like a curse, Albert and his great confidence on his training under the First that only gets shattered by Lupin himself, and even Youko, who spends much of the series as just a pretty face, has some surprising depth shown by the end. There’s good chemistry in all the interactions here and that helps with the tone this series is aiming for.

I’m normally not the kind who pays much attention to animation, as I think a good story can carry bad animation, but Lupin Zero’s art style just had me fascinated from the first episode, as it goes for a retro look clearly imitating the cel based animation seen in pre-2000s anime, so I found that a complete delight as someone who loves that style. Even if there’s some CGI help in some episodes, this series really looks like it could have come out in the 90s, and the dedication that would’ve needed to achieve earns my respect for the studio.

All in all, I think that Lupin Zero is a series worth checking out for both fans and non-fans of the Lupin III franchise, with its clever tricks and slapstick, good comedic timing, well done action choreography, and a simple episodic plot that still feels like it delivers a clear message on what it wants to be.

Thank you for reading.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 15, 2023

Gman77700

Recommended

Spoiler

Lupin Zero is possibly the best series to come out since part 4, which is a shame because there are only 6 episodes. Zero recaptures the feeling of the classic part II and III comedy with plenty of nods to the original that started it all. The series gives an origin story to Lupin and shows how he becomes the thief we know him as.

Plot 7/10
The main plot is about Lupin's struggle to choose how he wants to live his life, His father and grandfather have to opposite paths set for him, but he refuses to live by any rules but his own. The show ... is mostly episodic stories with a bit of character growth and important relationships that carry through each episode, but when the last couple episodes kick in we do finally get to see THE Lupin III jacket and all.

Action/Comedy 9/10
The action and comedy come hand in hand most of the time and boy is it good. Lupin's tricks and traps make for great fun even in a high stakes situation. It is very reminiscent of Part II's style, so if you enjoy more serious action this might not be for you.

Characters 9/10
Lupin and Jigen are at their absolute best in Lupin Zero. Lupin himself perfectly balancing his goofy personality with Jigen's straight man routine, and Lupin the first and second are really good additions that have never been touched on very much before in any other Lupin media. The biggest flaw here is with so little time most of the characters like the maid Shinobu and the beautiful singer Youko don't really get a lot of development, but both of them are still fun to watch.

Overall Rating 9/10
Being a huge Lupin III fan, I am a bit biased but this show is still a great watch. With only 6 episodes it is a shame that it ends so soon but it also makes it very easy to watch. For any Lupin fan this is a must see and for the general viewer if you like some good action and comedy with quirky characters you will have a fun time with Lupin Zero.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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