Lupin III

Lupin III (ルパン三世, Rupan Sansei), also written as Lupin the Third or Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch. It follows the escapades of master thief Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of novels.

The Lupin III manga, which first appeared in Weekly Manga Action on August 10, 1967, spawned a media franchise that includes numerous manga, two versions of an anime pilot film, five animated television series, six theatrically released animated feature films, two live-action films, a two-part animated theatrical short film, five OVA works, twenty-six animated television films, two musicals, music CDs, and video games. Many different companies have owned the English-language distribution rights to various Lupin III properties at various times, with just the first two animated films having been released by over 10 companies alone. Tokyopop acquired the license to the original manga in 2002, and later the second series in 2004. Funimation Entertainment purchased the rights to several of the television specials and films in 2002, and the fourth television series in 2012. Geneon licensed and dubbed 79 episodes of the second television series, 26 of which were broadcast on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim during 2003. Discotek Media licensed the entire first and second television series and the first live-action film; they also own the rights to several other Lupin titles, including some previously released by other companies.

Lupin III (film)

Lupin III (ルパン三世, Rupan Sansei) is a 2014 Japanese action film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and based on the iconic manga of the same name by Monkey Punch. The film focuses on how the series' main characters met for the first time and updates the franchise to a contemporary setting. It was premiered in Japan on August 30, 2014, and made its international premiere at LA EigaFest 2014.

Plot

Arsène Lupin III, grandson of the legendary gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, is a member of the international thieving ring "The Works", which specializes in stealing valuable objects from wealthy owners. Lupin beats his fellow Works members Fujiko Mine (his would-be lover), Pierre (a computer genius) and Jiro to the theft of a valuable medal in Singapore, but is forced to surrender it to his rival, Michael Lee, when he threatens to kill him and Fujiko. At a meeting of The Works, Fujiko is hailed as the culprit behind the theft (thanks to her machinations), and Thomas Dawson, the leader of the organization, shows them the most valuable item in The Works' possession - the Crimson Heart of Cleopatra, a necklace commissioned by Mark Antony to symbolize his love for the Queen of the Nile. However, a ruby of Cleopatra's intended to complete the necklace has not yet been recovered. A trio of thugs led by Michael - Royal, Saber and Maria - steal the necklace and kill Jiro and Dawson, apparently in revenge for "Edward Lam", resulting in the dissolution of The Works. Lupin, Fujiko, Pierre and Daisuke Jigen join forces to find Michael and the necklace.

Arsène Lupin III

Arsène Lupin III (ルパン三世, Rupan Sansei) (Pronounced /luːpɨn/ or /luˈpɑːn/) is a fictional character created by Monkey Punch as the protagonist for his manga series Lupin III, which debuted in Weekly Manga Action on August 10, 1967. According to his creator, Lupin is the grandson of Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin.

Acknowledged virtually world-wide as the world's number one thief, Lupin and his colleagues, Daisuke Jigen and Goemon Ishikawa XIII, will take it upon themselves to foil other criminals engaged in more violent crimes. While first glance may imply Lupin as fun-loving, flighty, perhaps even "goofy", this facade overcoats a brilliant imagination and a thorough knowledge of a hundred varying sciences. Forever extemporizing and re-evaluating, Lupin has been responsible for heists no right minded individual would believe possible. While occasionally arrested and jailed, typically by his ICPO nemesis Inspector Koichi Zenigata, he always succeeds in escaping unharmed. He has a fondness for fancy gadgets from time to time plus hands-on experience in many skills a thief would find useful. His infatuation with Fujiko Mine is perhaps his most significant weakness, as it lands him in undesirable situations most of the time.