A prequel anime titled Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata to Futari no Lupin will begin streaming on June 20 JST. This release comes ahead of the new feature film, Lupin the IIIrd The Movie: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku.
The prequel focuses on Inspector Zenigata, the long-time adversary of the master thief Lupin III. It is described as a hard action story set in the wintry "Roviet Union," where a terrorist bombing leads Zenigata into conflict with a "fake Lupin."
A broadcast premiere on WOWOW will follow the streaming release on June 22 JST. The broadcast is scheduled for 9 PM JST, occurring after a marathon featuring previous Lupin the IIIrd titles, including Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, and Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko’s Lie.
Lupin the IIIrd The Movie: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku is scheduled for a theatrical premiere in Japan on June 27 JST. The film is advertised as the franchise's first 2D feature-length anime film in 30 years. It continues the line of titles directed by Takeshi Koike.
Returning staff for the prequel and the movie include Takeshi Koike as director, Yuya Takahashi as screenwriter, James Shimoji as music composer, and Katsuhito Ishii as creative advisor. Telecom Animation Film is handling animation production.
The cast features Kanichi Kurita as Lupin the IIIrd, Akio Otsuka as Daisuke Jigen, Daisuke Namikawa as Goemon Ishikawa, Miyuki Sawashiro as Fujiko Mine, and Koichi Yamadera as Zenigata.
The Lupin III franchise originated with a manga created by Monkey Punch in 1967. The first anime series adaptation premiered in 1971.
The franchise has produced numerous other manga series and anime entries, including films, OVAs, and crossovers. The Hayao Miyazaki-directed film The Castle of Cagliostro is among the earliest anime films in the series.
More details are available on the official website.
