Mar 4, 2012 1
Nov 1, 2011 Comments Off
Episode 27 – The Castle of Cagliostro
Leon Everett joins us to discuss the Lupin III film, The Castle of Cagliostro.
00:00 Zelda 25th anniversary symphony concert, Dragon Gate UK & MCM Expo
14:41 The Castle of Cagliostro
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Theme music by Paul Smith of quiet quiet band.
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Mar 26, 2011 Comments Off
Lupin III – The Alcatraz Connection
Still working my way through Lupin III specials as I get the chance. This one I’d been wanting to watch for a while as it’s another that Hiroyuki Imaishi (Gurren Lagann, Panty & Stocking) did some key animation for. While it was a little bit of a let down on that front, it’s still a solid outing and another case for the specials of the 2000s being a better crop than the 90s ones that Funimation released.
The big problem the special has is that its ambitions often outweigh its budget. A good example is a scene near the climax, where characters are running down a set of stairs. The scene starts from a POV shot, with fully animated stairs and a sense of movement, only for it to cut extremely quickly to a static long shot of the action. The special is full of thwarted ambition like this.
What it has going for it though is the script and characterisation. This is a rare special that seems to deliberately try to span various different tones the character has been presented in, and it pulls it off without seeming disconcerting. Most notably it presents a Lupin III world that is a lot more bloodthirsty than we normally see in these specials. Even Zenigata has an edge we don’t normally see. On the flip side of that we also get some of the more extreme cartoon reactions of the animated Lupin canon.
Story wise, we’re not in jet setting mode as the action is confined to San Francisco, but we are firmly in historical conspiracy mode. And the conspiracy is a doozy this time around, taking in the history of Alcatraz, various notable US criminals and politicians.
How much do the characters look like the animators might have seen a Monkey Punch drawing at some point in their lives?
Another good outing for Toshimitsu Kobayashi on character design (see Missed by a Dollar). Again the non-Fujiko female characters look a little like they are from another show, but there’s only one this time. The male characters capture the Monkey Punch look very well, with their trapezoid torsos, gangly limbs and knobbly joints. There’s a lot of variety in the Magnificent Ten-style supervillain team who show up, plus there’s some well executed nods to US pop culture with a Columbo-like shabbily dressed detective and a set of Blues Brothers-alikes.
How ludicrous are the capers?
The opening heist on a gambling ship stretches credulity nicely. The rest of the film is conventional by comparison, but the aforementioned plot supplies the ludicrosity and the location of the finale and the reason for its existence is quite audacious.
How much is Goemon involved in the story, rather than just a third act deus ex machina?
Goemon’s not at the forefront, but the story provides him with something unique that plays into his personality. It’s a more interesting use of the character than as deus ex machina and slicer open of treasure containers.
Jan 31, 2011 Comments Off
Lupin III – The Last Job
It’s taken me a long time to get around to writing this review because of the opening scenes of the movie. You see they are too good. The opening credits are sandwiched between two of the best action sequences the franchise has seen in a while. And the most animated performance in ages from Goro Naya too.
The problem was I wasn’t convinced it could keep it up and so put off watching the rest. Turns out I was right, but it is still a strong outing for the gang. Playing out like something of a mix of earlier The Fuma Conspiracy OAV and a Da Vinci Code parody means that elements of the plot feel familiar, but at the same time it feels very much in the flavour of the TV version of Lupin III. Jet-setting, absurd interpretation of real historical events and fantastical treasures abound here.
While Zenigata doesn’t get the screen time you might want, due to Goro Naya’s age and health, there’s a good balance in what the gang get to do. I particularly liked how especially selfish Fujiko is here, quite distinct from the defanged version that so often gets used.
It’s been a long time since I did a Lupin III review so lets get back to the three questions that define how much I’ll love a given Lupin special.
How much do the characters look like the animators might have seen a Monkey Punch drawing at some point in their lives?
The gang’s character designs are strong here, but as usual a lot of the supporting cast is a little TMS generic. The henchmen though seem quite Monkey Punch-y and even faces on some characters look a little plain, most of the bodies seem to be proportioned like a Monkey Punch character (curvy women and men with rectangular bodies and gangly limbs). Of the unique characters in the film, the named villains come off the best, with some distinct over the top designs that call to mind Monkey Punch. Probably some of the best villains since Elusiveness of the Fog. They mention that one of them has a past with Jigen, anyone know if any are taken from earlier manga?
How ludicrous are the capers?
The story is about the secret treasure/doomsday weapon of a group of scientists who fled the Catholic church to found the Fuma ninja clan in Japan. I think that counts for a five star ludicrous caper before you add all the little set pieces and globe trotting.
How much is Goemon involved in the story, rather than just a third act deus ex machina?
Outside of a special where Goemon is the focus, this is probably as good as it gets for him. Involved from the get go, lots of action, lots of stoicism and little in the way of griping.
Oct 15, 2009 Comments Off
Lupin III vs. Detective Conan
While this is neither a great Conan story or a great Lupin story, it is a great Detective Conan AND Lupin III story. The two casts enter the story of the Kingdom of Vespania at different ends. Conan is embroiled in an attempt to murder the Crown Princess and Lupin is attempting steal the Crown of Vespania. Fujiko becomes involved at a third point in the tale and draws the two threads together.
There’s a few problems that might seem huge depending on your expectations. The mystery isn’t much of a mystery. And Lupin’s heist never really goes anywhere. It’s another Lupin film with the shadow of Cagliostro hanging over it. But I feel that’s overcome by the character work, which is full of clever touches for people following both franchises. For instance, early in the story the serious and too eager Detective Takagi has great characterisation, engaging in the sort of background pantomime you don’t normally associate with anime. And the few occasions where Conan and Lupin interact are as good as you’d want them to be.
But the real treat comes in the handling of Jigen and especially Fujiko. If you’re a Fujiko fan, this is one her better outings in a Lupin III special. Fun scenes with her, the princess, Lupin and Conan. Jigen too gets some good interaction with Conan as the pair investigate the deaths that start the film.
Probably not a great introduction to either franchise as it lacks what they do best, but for fans of both shows there’s enough here to get your teeth into.
How much do the characters look like the animators might have seen a Monkey Punch drawing at some point in their lives?
I often complain that Lupin III specials have characters that look like Detective Conan characters, well at least here they’ve got the excuse of actually having Detective Conan characters present. So it’s odd that a lot of the non-Lupin, non-Conan characters don’t particularly look like either Gosho Aoyama or Monkey Punch characters. The two victims certainly look like Aoyama characters, as does the Princess. But the others are some sort of happy medium, trying to create a world in which Conan and Lupin can exist side by side despite their distinctly different appearances.
The Lupin gang look really good in this film though, probably my favourite designs for them in a while. Not particularly Punch-y, but their movements and body language are.
How ludicrous are the capers?
They aren’t that crazy. There’s an impenetrable vault and a magic ore, but there’s no audacious set pieces here. This may be a rare Lupin special where Fujiko probably gets most of the action.
How much is Goemon involved in the story, rather than just a third act deus ex machina?
Poor Goemon doesn’t get much use here. With Fujiko and Jigen at the heart of the story, there’s not really any place where Goemon fits in except for his usual save the day spot. He does get some nice lines in the final scene though. To the extent that I’d really like to see a script where Fujiko and Goemon have to work together most of the time, as that’s a relationship that doesn’t seem that well explored from what I’ve seen.
Mar 7, 2009 Comments Off
Spring Has Sprung! So it’s time to HATE FUN? – part 1
I might add images when I get my PC back up and running. In the meantime click on the titles to go to their homepages.
I’d totally forgotten this special was due, let alone that it was due so soon. I often complain that non-Monkey Punch created characters in the various TMS Lupin specials look like they’ve stepped out of Detective Conan, so this will take care of that complainy by having them actually be Detective Conan characters. Looking forward to this a lot, and I have a lot of goodwill towards both the shows, so it doesn’t have to be perfect.
But it’d be nice if it was.
There’s an episode of this already on nicovideo that shows off the strong visual style it has, and even though it has an educational intent, it looks a lot of fun.
Based on the newspaper strip of the same name, this looks like the sort of comedy show that gets utterly ignored in anglophone fandom.
This is an odd one. A daily gag show, where Charady tells a joke everyday. Overseen by TV 3D CGI guru Ryuji Masuda, but directed by Kyoto University of Art students. With that strange concoction, it’s got be worth checking out at least once.
Videogame-based anime don’t have a strong pedigree. And even with Production IG animating, I’m not sure this will be an exception. Itsuro Kawasaki directs, and as Rental Magica, Arc The Lad and Licensed by Royalty didn’t get the blood pumping so I’m not inclined to think this will either.
Dec 22, 2008 Comments Off
Lupin III – Missed By A Dollar
And now, 21 months after I actually bought them, I’ve finally finished watching the Funimation Lupin boxsets.
Here Lupin is chasing down a brooch that apparently will aid the possessor in ruling the world. The unique selling point is that Lupin dies. Of course that doesn’t stick, but they make it work well. In fact it’s one of the better written specials, fitting to a well worn formula, but full of fun scenes.
Animation-wise, it’s fair, nothing as glaringly bad as some of Columbus Files, but at the same time not dazzling either.
So how do they all compare overall? Here’s how I’d order them:
- Dead Or Alive (First Haul boxset)
- Farewell To Nostradamus (Final Haul boxset)
- Crisis In Tokyo (Final Haul boxset)
- Island of Assassins (Final Haul boxset)
- Dragon of Doom (First Haul boxset)
- Missed By A Dollar (Final Haul boxset)
- The Columbus Files (Final Haul boxset)
- The Pursuit of Harimao’s Treasure (First Haul boxset)
- The Secret of Twilight Gemini (First Haul boxset)
- Voyage To Danger (First Haul boxset)
Only Voyage To Danger was a bit of a stinker, but those top 4 are head and shoulders above the others. So that makes Final Haul the better boxset, but given the price, Dead Or Alive makes First Haul worth checking out too.
How much do the characters look like the animators might have seen a Monkey Punch drawing at some point in their lives?
Once again the gang look good, and yes, once again, Fujiko looks a little off with tiny button like eyes.
That carries over to the supporting cast, where the men look Monkey Punch-ish, but the women look like they’ve come over from another anime, looking almost AIC-esque in their designs.
How ludicrous are the capers?
This has some very nice set pieces, along with the rare appearance of a long con in the third act. Highlights include the opening auction scene, the escape via balloon, the literal crashing of a mob funeral and the sight of Jigen in a wig giving a speech to potential investors.
How much is Goemon involved in the story, rather than just a third act deus ex machina?
Very good use of Goemon, indeed everyone gets nice banter with each other due to the device of Lupin being dead and then seeing the other main characters interact without him there.
Dec 20, 2008 Comments Off
Lupin III – The Columbus Files
So we’ve had both Jigen-centric (Voyage To Danger) and Goemon-centric (Dragon of Doom) specials, now we get the Fujiko-centric one. Which would be great, if it didn’t involve amnesia and thus remove her normal personality for much of the film.
Putting that cheap plot device aside, there is still much to recommend here. You see, this is the film that Shinichi Watanabe (Nabeshin) was in charge of, and his Lupin fandom shines through. So we get the 1930 Alfa Romeo. We get Lupin dressed in an inflatable disguise. We get him leaping at Fujiko in just his boxer shorts. A lot of Lupin III staples are here.
But what he also brings to the table is the villain Nazalloff, a criminal who uses similar methods to Lupin (and just so happens to wear a green blazer and has slightly curly hair…). It’s fun to see Lupin’s own methods being used against for a change. And Shigeru Chiba provides the demented performance that you’d expect from the voice of Megane in Urusei Yatsura, Pilaf in Dragonball, Buggy in One Piece and countless other maniacs.
And then there’s some enjoyable nonsense involving Christopher Columbus and orgone energy. So it manages to get both bonkers historical and scientific ideas into a Lupin film where usually we only get one.
Animation-wise, it’s a step down from Crisis In Tokyo. We get a few nicely animated scenes, but we also get a handful that are really below par for a TMS production. It’s tolerable, but I’ve seen better.
How much do the characters look like the animators might have seen a Monkey Punch drawing at some point in their lives?
You’re not getting the sort of wild, energetic lines on the characters that I like the best, but all the gang are recognisably evolved from Monkey Punch designs. Still not keen on the lighter hair colour for Fujiko, but even her design is fairly strong here.
The non-regulars, aren’t quite so strong. Rosaria is TMS generic. Physically, the villian Nazalloff fits his role as the evil Lupin (green jacket included), but facially he doesn’t quite gel all the time. The mastermind does look more like a Lupin villain, even borrowing a gimmick somewhat from an early episode from the second series.
It really doesn’t stray all that far from Crisis in Tokyo’s look, and from here on out this is arguably the median point at which the character design fluctuates around.
How ludicrous are the capers?
It’s pretty nuts. The mastermind uses “orgone energy” to hulk out of a wheel chair while wearing a space suit. And that’s not even the climax of the film.
How much is Goemon involved in the story, rather than just a third act deus ex machina?
Goemon’s in this all the way through. Doesn’t get his own plot, but it’s a solid use of him.
Dec 18, 2008 1
Lupin III – Crisis In Tokyo
This is probably the happy medium of Lupin III films. It has an equal mix of humour and danger, an unusual treasure that needs stealing, and a pinch of sci-fi oddity. Zenigata, always a good barometer of the show’s mood, is both serious crime fighter and buffoon here.
While Satoshi Hirayama had done some design work on Island of Assassins it’s here he makes himself known on character design and would go onto work on a further 8 Lupin projects in various artistic capacities.
Again the film benefits from Hiroyuki Imaishi’s presence – a wild section on a rollercoaster is clearly his work. There’s a number of action scenes shot side on in imitation of some of Monkey Punch’s Shin Lupin strips that might be him too. Regardless of whoever animated them, they are some fun sequences.
Storywise, the most admirable thing is that it finds something for each of the characters to do, often only Lupin and maybe Fujiko have motivations outside of helping each one another (and of course Zenigata’s eternal ambition of catching Lupin). But all five get nice character-based scenes here.
All in all it’s everything you want from a Lupin III film. It’s not the best, but it has a very good grasp on the franchise’s appeal.
How much do the characters look like the animators might have seen a Monkey Punch drawing at some point in their lives?
The gang looks great. Except Fujiko. Who looks good, but she looks closer to Grandis from Nadia than Fujiko. Slightly longer face than you’d expect and the hair’s a little off.
The other characters have a touch of Monkey Punch to their physiques and movement, but facially could be from any TMS show.
But I’m giving it another head for the movement of the main characters, this is the first of these to really remind me of those first Lupin strips I read in Manga Mania many years ago.
How ludicrous are the capers?
Silly gadgets and tricks abound here, the highlight being a heist involving many, many remote control cars and a convoy of moving trucks.
How much is Goemon involved in the story, rather than just a third act deus ex machina?
Goemon and Jigen get their own comedic subplots here. They find away to pull Goemon out of his normally stoic persona that doesn’t seem cheap, and it is genuinely hilarious if you know the character.
