The world’s most famous gentleman thief, Lupin the Third, is back in action! Lupin the IIIrd: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku (Lupin the IIIrd The Movie: Immortal Bloodline) is set to premiere in Japan on June 27, 2025, and it’s generating buzz with a newly released music video and details about a prequel net anime. Here’s a breakdown of what fans can expect.
A Rocking Music Video
TMS Entertainment has released a music video featuring the film’s theme song, “The IIIRD Eye,” by the renowned Japanese rock band B’z. The nearly two-minute video is packed with action and explosions, offering a glimpse into the high-octane adventure that awaits. The song itself is a blend of B’z’s signature rock sound with jazzy elements and a “gorgeous horn section,” according to guitarist Takahiro “Tak” Matsumoto. Vocalist Koshi Inaba describes the song as capturing the “tension” of the LUPIN THE IIIRD series, with a sense of never-ending desire and nobility.
First 2D Feature in Decades
Fujimi no Ketsuzoku marks a significant milestone for the Lupin the Third franchise. It’s being advertised as the first 2D Lupin III anime film in nearly 30 years, since Lupin III: Dead or Alive in 1996. In the interim, there have been theatrical releases like Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, and Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko Mine’s Lie, but these were not feature-length films. The 2019 film Lupin III: The First was a 3DCG movie, and other recent films have been crossovers with Detective Conan and Cat’s Eye.
Story and Characters
The film’s story follows Lupin and his team as they head to a mysterious, unmarked island in search of a hidden treasure. However, they soon discover that someone is sending assassins after them, leading them on a quest to uncover the sender’s identity.
New cast members include:
- Ainosuke Kataoka as Muomu: An immortal man.
- Aoi Morikawa as Sarifa: A mysterious girl who serves Muomu.
The main cast includes:
- Kanichi Kurita as Lupin III
- Akio Ōtsuka as Daisuke Jigen
- Daisuke Namikawa as Goemon Ishikawa XIII
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Fujiko Mine
- Kōichi Yamadera as Inspector Zenigata
Prequel Net Anime
A prequel anime, titled Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata to Futari no Lupin (Zenigata and the Two Lupins), premiered via streaming on June 20, 2025, in advance of the film’s release. The net anime centers on Inspector Zenigata, Lupin’s longtime rival and occasional ally. The story begins with a terrorist attack at an airport in the “Roviet Union” (a play on the Japanese term for the Soviet Union), with Lupin being the prime suspect. Kenyū Horiuchi voices a fake Lupin in the anime.
Staff
- Director: Takeshi Koike ( Redline, Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko Mine’s Lie)
- Screenwriter: Yūya Takahashi (Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko Mine’s Lie, Lupin the 3rd Part 6)
- Music Composer: James Shimoji (Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko Mine’s Lie)
- Creative Advisor: Katsuhito Ishii (Redline, Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray)
- Animation Production: Telecom Animation Film
- Distributor: TOHO NEXT
A Legacy of Lupin
The Lupin the Third franchise began in 1967 with a manga created by the late Monkey Punch. The first anime series adaptation aired in 1971. The franchise has since expanded to include numerous manga series, anime series, films, OVAs, crossovers, and even a 3DCG movie. One of the most iconic Lupin III films is The Castle of Cagliostro, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
