Purists might miss the rough, sketchy energy of the 1970s series, but there is an undeniable beauty to the way light reflects off Goemon’s sword or how Lupin’s red jacket flows during a car chase through a collapsing building.
Lupin III: The First (2019) is a landmark entry in the long-running Lupin the Third Lupin III- The First
This film is a standalone theatrical adventure, not directly connected to any specific TV series or previous film, making it accessible to newcomers while packed with Easter eggs for long-time fans. Purists might miss the rough, sketchy energy of
As of 2025, no direct CGI sequel has been announced, but the influence of The First is visible across the industry. It proved that nostalgia doesn't have to be hand-drawn to be authentic. It proved that nostalgia doesn't have to be
, a young aspiring archaeologist with a mysterious connection to the diary. The Conflict: They face off against the , a Nazi splinter group led by
The most immediate talking point about Lupin III: The First is its visual style. For a franchise steeped in hand-drawn legacy, the leap to CGI was risky. However, director Takashi Yamazaki and the team at TMS Entertainment and Marza Animation Planet employed a technique often called "3D on 2D" or "anime CGI."
