Lupin III is many things to Japanese people and otakus alike: he's an icon that's been around for generations and for some is a cultural susbstitute for the likes of characters like Batman and Sherlock Holmes, or even James Bond. Lupin III is a fun but underrated franchise outside of good ol' Nippon (Japan) and that's odd considering Lupin has more western appeal than other animes which have garnered wider followings even if they follow their Japanese roots more closely. Without Lupin, we'd still have an anime industry but it probably wouldn't have matured in the way millions have known the anime industry as it has become.Lupin III was very much a pioneering series for the medium of anime, and even taking away the historical value it's still an entertaining show to watch, and the crime caper film feeling to the stories really helps boost the series' engagement with the viewer. The criminals in Lupin are the ones we love to see doing what they do best: p!ss off the authorities and making it count.What else is there to say about Lupin? Just give the show a watch asap. If you're a self- proclaimed anime buff like I am, watch this piece of Japanese visual history before your eyes and see for yourself if the series helped make anime what it is today. I can honestly see where a lot of the industry gained the confidence to tell more adult stories; and it's all thanks to this classic show.Lupin III: probably my favourite anime franchise outside Cosboy Bebop.

Love anime and animation in general. There are many anime treasures, film and television, and this series is one of them.An anime, and animation, landmark that is very much underrated by today's standards. It deserved to last much longer than just 23 episodes, when vastly inferior (and actually not good) shows last for over two or more seasons and still air on a regular basis while 'Rupan Sansei' is nearly forgotten apart from being remembered with fondness by fans of the series, the manga and the films (the films are similarly well worth checking out). Thank goodness that 'Rupan Sansei' is available to watch on a DVD box-set, albeit not at a cheap price, enough to make anybody trying to save up and budget gulp.The show isn't quite perfect. Its weakest asset is the music, which is rather cheap-sounding and has too much of an early 70s surreal quality that doesn't really gel. Also wasn't completely sold on the pilot, though there are certainly far worse pilot/first episodes of other shows around, which didn't feel particularly settled in terms of quality and tone. Both got significantly better incredibly quickly however, so to anybody not encouraged by the pilot don't give up on the show.In terms of animation, anime certainly became much more refined and eye-catching later on when resources advanced, budgets became bigger and animators became more experienced. With that being said, things considering, the animation isn't bad here, not always smooth in the drawing but there are some lovely details in the backgrounds and the colours are vibrant and atmospheric.'Rupan Sansei's' writing also makes it a gem. People are more familiar with the lighter, more humorous touch, adopted in the later episodes and better received (this tone carried over in 'Lupin' films like 'The Castle of Cagliostro'). One can see why, the humour is hilarious, making one cry with laughter or clutch their sides, there is a real sense of exciting adventure and it's just fun.The darker, grittier tone of the earlier episodes is deserving of much more credit however, there is a lot of suspense in these episodes and there is a dark, melancholic air that gives the show some emotional layering. These episodes still don't forget to be fun though, despite a more serious tone it doesn't take itself so seriously that it alienates. Which makes it a shame that the darker, grittier nature didn't seem to connect as much with audiences.Pretty much all the stories are compelling, with a beautiful balance of comedy, suspense and adventure. While there is a light-hearted edge that makes the show entertaining, 'Rupan Sansei' also has a heart and a maturity that avoids making the storytelling and writing too silly.Great characters too, with a likable and interesting titular character who has both a fun and gritty side that stops him from being a one-dimensional stereotype. Of the supporting characters, Zenigata is my favourite, the conflict engrosses between the two and the character is just very well-written in his own right. The voice acting is very dynamic and fitting.In conclusion, an anime landmark that isn't appreciated enough and deserving of more exposure accessible to a wider audience. 9/10 Bethany Cox

While this show does suffer from a terrible pilot episode and occasional bad writing, this first Lupin the Third series is a landmark in the history of animation. One of the first animated TV shows intended for adults, it was a failure upon its initial airing, and took years of reruns for it to get a boost in popularity.The show is of course dated in some ways. The animation is of the limited 60s/70s variety and the music is psychedelic. But as someone who watches movies much older than this, it's not that distracting. The show is full of action, comedy, and great characters.It's less kooky and formulaic than the later 1977 Lupin series, and the first half of the show is especially dark. Lupin was rarely ever as borderline villainous as he is in the first half of this series, save for his manga incarnation.Many modern anime fans won't give it a second look, but if you appreciate anime history or just plain animation history, then Lupin III is not to be missed.

May contain mild spoilers to those who haven't heard of it.Okay, basic plot? We'll go back to the late 1800s/early 1900s for this. Arsene Lupin is the greatest thief in France, and quite possibly the world. His trademark? He warns the person he is going to rob (usually a corrupt royal) and offers them to give him one object he desires, otherwise Lupin will rob the royal of everything they own.Cut to, the nineteen sixties. Lupin's grandson, Arsene Lupin the Third, has become the greatest thief in the WORLD. With the help of a former mafia enforcer, Jigen, a samurai who owes Lupin a life debt, Goemon, and occasionally (Though she usually works AGAINST Lupin to steal the same prize) Fujiko Mine, a beautiful thief who uses her good looks and sex to get what she wants. All the while the gang is being chased by bumbling interpol detective, Inspector Zenigata. Zenigata has vowed that he will not rest, until he has Lupin and his gang in custody, and has become obsessed with arresting the thief.All in all, this is a wonderful show. It brings to mind the original Pink Panther, and The Return of the Pink Panther (Both of which involved "the world's greatest thief" The Phantom.) Zenigata is a great take on the bumbling detective, and in the American Dub, Lupin (who's main weakness is the opposite sex (especially Fujiko) and his own ego) sounds almost identical to Don Adams.All in all, my rating of this series is 5/5. Can't wait to see the American big budget film that's in the works.