International man of mystery and exceptional master thief, Lupin III hails from a lineage of high-stakes robbers dedicated to pilfering from the affluent and keeping for themselves. Luckily, Lupin steers clear of robbing the virtuous members of society and instead focuses on some rather dubious individuals.
Moreover, he collaborates with some shady characters: Daisuke Jigen is a former mafia hitman who carries himself with a solemn air, his iconic black fedora tilted forward to obscure his eyes. Goemon Ishikawa is an enigmatic swordsman with samurai-like nuances who mysteriously appears and disappears during Lupin's escapades. Fujiko Mine is the object of Lupin's affection, but since she is also a thief, their romance often clashes with their competitive drive for grand heists.
The global police organization, Interpol, and particularly the relentless Inspector Zenigata, are eager to apprehend Lupin and his gang. Zenigata's relationship with the renowned master thief is complex, marked by mutual respect intertwined with utter disdain. The two have even collaborated when it served both their interests, but they understand that once the crisis concludes, they must revert to their previous wariness and animosity towards each other.
(Source: Tokyopop)
I initially read "Lupin III Greatest Heist" and enjoyed it so much that I decided to dive into the original manga. However, there was an issue—one that persisted even a third of the way through (and continued throughout the entire series). I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what was happening. Ever. While the artwork is genuinely phenomenal, the pacing and clarity are absolutely abysmal. After reading most chapters, if someone held a gun to my head and demanded, "Explain what happened and how Lupin stole the thing," I'd be dead 9 times out of 10.
This isn't about the episodic nature of the manga; I actually like episodic stories. Additionally, I haven't yet mentioned the rampant sexism in the manga where every woman fits into the Madonna/Whore trope, which is pretty disgusting. I can enjoy problematic media, but damn, this is pushing it. I'll give "Shin Lupin" a try, but if it suffers from the same issues, I'll drop it just as quickly.
I'll keep it brief because Lupin III is a straightforward yet effective manga. The story follows the world's greatest thief, Arsène Lupin III, grandson of the infamous thief created by French author Maurice Leblanc in the early 20th century. The manga is episodic; each chapter stands alone and typically involves Lupin and his "friends" attempting to steal various items, from fancy jewels to other pricey goods, driven purely by the thrill.
Lupin is accompanied by an eclectic cast, including Jigen (the gunman), Goemon (the samurai), Fujiko (a criminal and love interest), and Inspector Zenigata. Note that some characters appear later in the series. While Lupin is technically the protagonist, he's not exactly a hero. In the anime adaptations, he's often portrayed as an eccentric anti-hero despite his criminal nature. He tends to help people, especially women, and confronts villains more sinister than himself, which inadvertently casts him in a heroic light. However, in the manga, Lupin's primary concern is his target. As the story progresses, glimpses of his human side emerge, but initially, his darker traits dominate.
Lupin is a ruthless criminal who kills and rapes indiscriminately for his own pleasure. His disregard for innocence makes him a fascinating character. Normally, you'd despise someone like Lupin, but here, you don't, thanks to Monkey Punch's brilliant writing. Despite all this, Lupin III is a comedy through and through. Even dire situations are laced with humor. The characters are witty, employing wordplay and delivering humorous comebacks. Exaggerated, Mad Magazine-style facial expressions enhance the comedic effect.
The visual style of the manga is distinctly Western, heavily influenced by Mad Magazine. Characters have odd proportions and cartoonish expressions, setting it apart from many popular manga with similar art styles. This unique look is refreshing and engaging.
In conclusion, the manga is outstanding. It's my favorite version of Lupin III, and I've followed the series for almost two decades. I can't recommend it enough, especially if you enjoy dark comedies. If you prefer the family-friendly Cagliostro/Miyazaki type of Lupin stories, steer clear of this one. It's irreverent and not suitable for younger fans. This isn't your grandma's Lupin... well, unless your grandma was a tough lady wielding a shotgun and smoking a cigar. A solid 10/10 manga. It's hilariously funny and easy to pick up and read. Check it out if you genuinely like Lupin or caper stories.
My review focuses on the English release of Lupin's Greatest Heists, a collection published after the passing of Monkey Punch, featuring only 12 selected chapters designed to introduce new readers to Lupin.
I have never read Lupin or watched any shows featuring him before. I found Lupin to be quite an intriguing manga. Although it has rough edges and leans towards cruder content, which isn't really my preference, the originality of the character and the writing by Monkey Punch keep the story engaging and well-paced. While much of the plot may not be entirely novel, there is something about Lupin that makes him an endearing character despite his criminal nature.
The influence on Cowboy Bebop is unmistakable, and it's hard to imagine characters like Spike or the entire Bebop cast and presentation without Lupin's precedent. Even the way ships are drawn and the magic bullet blocking reminiscent of Pierre Le Fou is strikingly similar to elements found in Bebop.
Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the art style. At times, it wasn't entirely clear what was happening in the scenes, although this might be due to the printing quality. I do intend to eventually return and read more Lupin, as these 12 chapters were engaging enough for me to want to learn more about the characters. Jigen, Goemon, and others seem quite interesting, and the ease of reading the manga makes it something I look forward to completing eventually.