🎬 Lupin the Third: Episode 0: First Contact (2002)
Part of Lupin the Third
Lupin the 3rd Episode 0: The First Contact is a 2002 Japanese animated television special, the fourteenth in the long-running series of Lupin III TV movies. It was produced to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first Lupin III television anime series. As the title suggests, the special serves as an origin story, depicting the very first meeting between master thief Arsène Lupin III and his future partner-in-crime, the sharpshooter Daisuke Jigen.
The story is framed by Jigen recounting the tale to a reporter. He explains how he was once hired by a wealthy man named Galvez to guard a mysterious artifact known as the Clam of Helmeth, an unbreakable metal cylinder containing the secret to forging an indestructible alloy. The artifact attracts the attention of Lupin, a rival thief named Brad, and the femme fatale Fujiko Mine. The narrative weaves together the intersecting schemes of these characters, leading to the fateful first encounters that would forge the iconic gang of thieves. Inspector Zenigata is also introduced, having been dispatched from Japan specifically to capture Fujiko.
Like all entries in the franchise, this special is based on the original Lupin III manga created by Monkey Punch, which began serialization in 1967. The character of Arsène Lupin III is the grandson of Maurice Leblanc's famous gentleman thief, and the series carries on that legacy of stylish, high-stakes larceny. Episode 0 fits neatly into the broader Lupin the Third Collection, a vast franchise encompassing decades of anime series, films, and specials that have explored the characters' adventures across the globe. The special is notable for its focus on character backstory, providing a canonical, feature-length account of how the central partnership between Lupin and Jigen was formed, a dynamic that is the heart of the entire series.
Lupin III is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch. It was serialized in Futabasha's Weekly Manga Action magazine from August 10, 1967, to May 22, 1969, with additional chapters appearing sporadically until 1972. The series follows the adventures of Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Maurice Leblanc's gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, as he travels the globe pulling off elaborate heists alongside his partners: the crack-shot Daisuke Jigen and the stoic swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII. They are frequently pursued by the dogged Inspector Koichi Zenigata of Interpol, and Lupin's schemes are often complicated by his love-hate relationship with the alluring femme fatale Fujiko Mine.
The manga is known for its blend of action, comedy, and noir-inspired storytelling, with a distinctly adult tone that set it apart from many of its contemporaries. Monkey Punch's dynamic, cartoonish art style and the series' irreverent humor helped establish Lupin III as a cornerstone of Japanese pop culture. The 129 original chapters were collected into 14 tankōbon volumes, and the series has since spawned numerous sequel manga, spin-offs, and one-shots by various creators.
Lupin III's cultural significance is immense, having launched one of the most enduring and beloved media franchises in Japan. Its influence extends across generations, inspiring a long-running anime series, annual television specials, theatrical films, video games, and even a musical. The character of Lupin III has become an iconic figure, representing a rakish, anti-hero archetype that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Lupin the Third is a long-running Japanese media collection centered on the exploits of Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Maurice Leblanc's gentleman thief. Created by the artist Monkey Punch in 1967 as a manga series, the property quickly evolved into a genre-defying institution spanning television anime, theatrical films, television specials, OVAs, and video games. The core appeal lies in the chemistry of its central ensemble: the irrepressible and endlessly inventive Lupin, the sharp-shooting Daisuke Jigen, the stoic swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII, the alluring and treacherous Fujiko Mine, and the dogged Inspector Zenigata, whose pursuit of Lupin is as much a personal obsession as a professional duty. Together, they form a dynamic that has allowed the series to explore a vast spectrum of tones, from slapstick comedy and lighthearted caper to hard-boiled noir and psychological drama.
The collection's remarkable adaptability is a key to its longevity. Hayao Miyazaki's 1979 film *The Castle of Cagliostro* presented a softer, more chivalrous version of the character, influencing animated adventure storytelling worldwide. In contrast, the 1978 film *The Mystery of Mamo* delved into psychedelic paranoia and existential themes. This narrative flexibility has been sustained across decades of annual television specials, which began in 1989 and continue to this day, offering self-contained adventures that place the characters in a variety of global settings and high-stakes scenarios. The television series itself has undergone several reinventions, with each new part—from the iconic red jacket of the second series to the more recent adventures set in Italy and France—reintroducing the gentleman thief to a new generation while maintaining the core spirit of the original manga.
The cultural significance of Lupin the Third extends beyond its home country, establishing it as a globally recognized ambassador for stylish, jazz-scored escapism. The collection has consistently balanced a sense of timeless cool with creative reinvention, allowing it to remain relevant for over half a century. In the 21st century, the property has expanded into darker, more adult-oriented territory with the *Lupin the IIIrd* film series, which pushes its animation and psychological depth to new extremes, while simultaneously delighting audiences with lighter, self-contained television specials. Across its many iterations, the collection remains a testament to the enduring appeal of a perfect character dynamic and the thrill of the chase, proving that the greatest treasure is often the adventure itself.
