It has been six long years since Lupin the Third fans saw the last installment in Takeshi Koike’s moody, stylized spin on the classic franchise. Now, Lupin the IIIRD: The Immortal Bloodline has officially premiered in Japan, delivering a long awaited cinematic conclusion to a storyline that has been unfolding over the last decade. The film is not just a return to Lupin’s classic 2D roots, but a revival of an entire creative vision that fans thought might never reach its end.
The project first took shape with The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, a prequel that focused on the enigmatic heroine of the series and introduced a darker, grittier tone. Koike, who worked on that project, soon followed with a series of intense original video animations. Each one focused on Lupin’s core crew, revealing new emotional and psychological layers to characters like Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko. Daisuke Jigen’s Gravestone, Goemon’s Bloodspray, Fujiko’s Lie, and Zenigata and the Two Lupins all set the stage for a larger narrative that hinted at something ominous lurking in the shadows.
With The Immortal Bloodline, that threat finally takes center stage. The movie ties together clues, subplots, and villains from the previous OVAs into one explosive finale. At the heart of it all is Mamo, a mysterious antagonist orchestrating the attacks from an island shrouded in secrecy. The plot drops Lupin and his gang into a perilous setting filled with deadly experiments, poisonous traps, and the return of enemies long thought defeated. It is a brutal showdown that strips away Lupin’s usual playful charm and highlights the darker themes that Koike has always aimed to explore.
What makes this release even more special is its format. The Immortal Bloodline is the first 2D animated Lupin feature film since 1996. While fans have seen the character in several crossovers and a well received 3D movie in recent years, this film marks a true return to the franchise’s traditional aesthetic. Koike’s distinctive art direction, inspired directly by Monkey Punch’s original manga, offers a nostalgic yet fresh visual experience.
This movie is not a standalone adventure, and viewers unfamiliar with the previous four OVAs may struggle to fully grasp the scope and significance of the final battle. The strength of The Immortal Bloodline lies in its role as a culmination of everything that came before it. It is a tribute to the bond between the characters and a fitting farewell to an arc that has delivered high stakes drama, stylish action, and emotional depth far beyond what most expected from a franchise rooted in gentleman heists.
Fans who have followed Koike’s vision over the years will find deep satisfaction in how the story ends. Lupin’s world may be filled with crime, chases, and close calls, but at its core, it has always been about loyalty, identity, and survival. This final installment brings all those themes into sharp focus, reinforcing why the Lupin franchise remains beloved across generations.
With The Immortal Bloodline, Koike not only concludes a chapter in Lupin’s legacy but reminds audiences of the power of persistence in storytelling. The film’s release may be limited for now, but it is bound to make its way to global audiences soon. And when it does, longtime fans will finally get the payoff they waited years for.
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