Lupin the Third's new challenge! A thorough review of "Order to Assassinate Lupin"!

"Lupin III: Order to Assassinate Lupin": Lupin's new challenge and deepening

■Overview of the work

"Lupin III: Lupin Assassination Order" is a TV special that aired on Nippon Television on July 23, 1993, and is an anime based on the original manga by Monkey Punch. This work is one of the most highly acclaimed in the Lupin III series, and its 91-minute long, one-shot story deeply moved and excited viewers. It was produced and written by TMS Entertainment, and is credited as Original: Monkey Punch ©TMS.

■ Story

Lupin III and his companions once again embark on a new adventure. The story begins with Inspector Zenigata, who has been dismissed from his investigation into Lupin, getting drunk with Lupin and the others. Under the pretext of infiltrating the arms trafficking organization Shotshell, which Lupin was ordered to do in Zenigata's place, Lupin and his companions attempt to steal funds and seize the Russian nuclear submarine Ivanov. They ask Karen, a nuclear physicist who is also being targeted by Shotshell, to pilot the submarine, but to Karen, Daisuke Jigen was the murderer of her father. With the situation on the brink of war, Keith, a skilled former mercenary who has taken over from Zenigata, begins his hot pursuit. This suspenseful storyline brings out the charm of the Lupin III series to the fullest.

■Cast

The cast of this film is a luxurious one that continues the tradition of the Lupin III series. It features familiar voice actors such as Yamada Yasuo as Lupin III, Naya Goro as Inspector Zenigata, Kobayashi Kiyoshi as Daisuke Jigen, Inoue Makio as Goemon Ishikawa, and Masuyama Eiko as Fujiko Mine. In addition, voice actors who play unique characters such as Nozawa Nachi as Close, Tanaka Atsuko as Karen, Ishizuka Unsho as Keith, Ginga Banjo as Brad, and Tobita Nobuo as Malone add color to the work.

■ Main staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. The project was planned by Takei Hidehiko, the script was written by Kashiwabara Kanji, the music was composed by Ohno Yuji, the sound director was Kato Satoshi, the music director was Suzuki Seiji, the director of photography was Hasegawa Hajime, the chief animation director was Eguchi Hisashi, the art director was Ishigaki Tsutomu, the script director was Iioka Junichi, the editor was Tsurubuchi Masatoshi, the storyboard and direction was Okuwaki Masaharu, the character designer was Eguchi Hisashi, the animation directors were Kumagai Tetsuya, Hirayama Madoka, Horiuchi Hiroyuki, Akahori Shigeo, Tanaka Tamotsu, and the producers were Ito Hibiki, Matsumoto Masato, and Iwata Mikihiro. The cooperation of these staff members ensures that the work is of high quality.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Lupin the Third Theme '89," with lyrics and music by Yuji Ohno. This song is a symbol of the Lupin the Third series, and it captures the hearts of viewers. The ending theme is "Destiny Love," sung by Eri Ohno, with lyrics by Mami Takubo, and composed and arranged by Yuji Ohno. This song is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Lupin III: Order to Assassinate Lupin" is one of the most highly rated works in the Lupin III series. The reasons for this are as follows:

1. A suspenseful story

The story of this film begins with a tense turn of events in which Lupin and his friends steal funds from the arms trafficking organization Shotshell. The film then depicts a bold plan to hijack the Russian nuclear submarine Ivanov and ask nuclear physicist Karen to pilot it. The fact that Jigen Daisuke is Karen's father's murderer adds further tension and drama to the story. Additionally, the hot pursuit by former mercenary Keith, who appears as Inspector Zenigata's successor, is an important element in drawing viewers in. The combination of these elements makes this film successful in immediately drawing the viewer into the world of the story.

2. Deepening the characters

One of the attractions of the Lupin III series is its characters, each with their own unique personality. In this work, familiar characters such as Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa, Fujiko Mine, and Inspector Zenigata each play their own role as they progress through the story. In particular, the relationship between Daisuke Jigen and Karen adds depth to the story. Additionally, the appearance of a new character, Keith, plays an important role in depicting the new challenges that Lupin and his friends face. The depth of these characters further enhances the appeal of this work.

3. High production quality

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. Professionals in each field, including scriptwriters, music, animation, art, and editing, worked together to create the work. In particular, Ohno Yuji's music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. Furthermore, Eguchi Hisashi's character design and animation director bring out the individuality of the characters to the fullest. These high production qualities have earned this work high praise.

■ Recommendation points

"Lupin III: Lupin the Third: Assassination Order" is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the Lupin III series, but also to people who like anime and action movies. Below are some recommended points.

1. A must-see for fans of the Lupin III series

For fans of the Lupin III series, this is a work you can't miss. Familiar characters such as Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa, Fujiko Mine, and Inspector Zenigata advance the story while fulfilling their respective roles. Another point that fans will be happy about is that the opening theme, "Lupin III Theme '89," which is a symbol of the series, is used.

2. A fusion of action and suspense

This film is a perfect blend of action and suspense. The scenes where Lupin and his friends steal funds from the arms trafficking organization Shotshell and where they seize the Russian nuclear submarine Ivanov are as exciting as action movies. In addition, the relationship between Daisuke Jigen and Karen, and Keith's hot pursuit, are suspenseful elements that draw the viewer in. The combination of these elements makes this a film that allows viewers to enjoy both action and suspense.

3. High production quality

Many talented staff members have been involved in the production of this work. Professionals in each field, including scriptwriters, music, animation, art, and editing, have worked together to create the work. In particular, Ohno Yuji's music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. Furthermore, Eguchi Hisashi's character design and animation director have brought out the individuality of the characters to the fullest. These high production qualities further enhance the appeal of this work.

Conclusion

"Lupin III: Order to Assassinate Lupin" is one of the most highly acclaimed works in the Lupin III series. It is full of many charms, such as a tense story, deep character development, and high production quality. This is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the Lupin III series, but also to those who like anime and action movies. Please give it a watch.