Lupin the Third GREEN vs RED - A thorough comparison of which is better

Lupin the Third GREEN vs RED - Lupin Sansei Green vs Red

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

April 2, 2008

■Frequencies

79th minute

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Monkey Punch

■ Director

Shigeyuki Miya

■ Production

Animation Production: TMS Entertainment

■Works

Original work: Monkey Punch ©TMS, NTV, VAP

■ Story

The Metropolitan Police Department's Lupin III Special Task Force is troubled by the large number of Lupins appearing. Meanwhile, one fake Lupin is arrested for shoplifting 650 yen, and in anger, the fake Lupins gather in Tokyo and are rounded up. Meanwhile, Yasuo, a young man who makes a living working part-time at a ramen shop and pickpocketing, begins his activities as Lupin after accidentally stealing a Walther P38. In search of the "Ice Cube", a treasure held by the military organization Nighthawks, and to prove his authenticity, he confronts "Red Lupin".

■Cast

Lupin III: Kanichi Kurita / Daisuke Jigen: Kiyoshi Kobayashi / Goemon Ishikawa: Makio Inoue / Fujiko Mine: Eiko Masuyama / Inspector Zenigata: Goro Naya / Yasuo: Jin Katagiri / Yukiko: Aya Hirano and others

■ Main staff

Planning: Matsumoto Masato, Miura Hime, Hirayama Hiroshi / Producers: Jyoen Yu, Ueno Hiroyuki, Ueda Yasuo / Screenplay: Okawa Toshimichi / Music: Ohno Yuji / Music Director: Suzuki Seiji / Sound Director: Kato Satoshi / Character design, chief animation director: Nishimura Takayo / Animation directors: Nakatake Manabu, Hirayama Satoshi / Assistant animation director: Soma Mitsuru / Mechanical design: Mizumura Yoshio / CG design: Ishihara Yuri / Art director: Akashi Seiko / Color design: Nishi Kayoko / Director of photography: Miyagawa Yoshikazu / Editor: Sano Yuriko / Storyboard, direction: Miya Shigeyuki

■ Theme songs and music

Song title: Honoo no Takaramono / Singer: Miki Imai / Lyrics: Jun Hashimoto / Composer: Yuji Ohno / Arrangement: Yuji Ohno

■Detailed story and character analysis

"Lupin III: Green vs. Red" is an OVA based on the original work by Monkey Punch, and depicts the world of Lupin III from a new perspective. In this work, a large number of fake Lupins who pretend to be Lupin III have appeared, and the Metropolitan Police Department's Lupin III Special Task Force is busy dealing with them. Of particular note is the scene where Yasuo, a young man who makes a living working part-time at a ramen shop and pickpocketing, accidentally gets his hands on a Walther P38, the symbol of Lupin III, and begins his activities as Lupin.

Yasuo sets out in search of the "Ice Cube" treasure owned by the military organization Nighthawks. To prove that he is the real Lupin, he confronts "Red Lupin." This showdown is a battle for the name of Lupin III, and is an important scene that depicts Yasuo's growth and awakening as Lupin.

Character analysis: Yasuo is a special character among those who pretend to be Lupin III. He begins his journey as Lupin by acquiring the Walther P38, the symbol of Lupin III. Yasuo's character inherits the free-spiritedness and humor of Lupin III, but also has a new charm by depicting his own growth and awakening. In addition, the confrontation with "Red Lupin" will be a test of whether Yasuo has the qualities to be a real Lupin.

Lupin III's companions also play important roles. Familiar characters such as Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa, Fujiko Mine, and Inspector Zenigata support Yasuo's growth as Lupin and add excitement to the story. Fujiko Mine in particular has a major influence on Yasuo's awakening as Lupin. Inspector Zenigata also watches over Yasuo's growth as Lupin while busy cracking down on the fake Lupins.

■Production background and staff's commitment

The background to the production of "Lupin III: Green vs. Red" is the intention to pursue new possibilities for Lupin III. Director Shigeyuki Miya wanted to provide fans with a fresh surprise by depicting the world of Lupin III from a new perspective. In addition, screenwriter Toshimichi Okawa aimed to reaffirm the appeal of Lupin III by depicting the free-spiritedness and humor of Lupin III through the character of Yasuo.

As for the staff's commitment, Nishimura Takayo, who was in charge of character design and chief animation director, offered new appeal to fans by depicting the characters of Lupin III from a new perspective. Mizumura Yoshio, who was in charge of mechanic design, heightened the tension of the story by realistically depicting the mechanics of the military organization Nighthawks. Furthermore, Ohno Yuji, who composed the music, provided music that brought out the worldview of Lupin III, and together with the singing voice of Imai Miki, who sang the theme song "Treasure of Flame," they enhanced the emotion of the story.

■ Evaluation of video and music

The visuals of "Lupin the Third: Green vs. Red" have been highly praised for their quality as an OVA work. In particular, the attention to detail of Takayo Nishimura, who was in charge of character design and chief animation director, shines through, depicting the characters of Lupin the Third from a new perspective. Additionally, Yoshio Mizumura, who was in charge of mechanical design, provides realistic depictions that also contribute to heightening the tension of the story.

In terms of music, Yuji Ohno's music brings out the worldview of Lupin III. In particular, the singing voice of Miki Imai, who sang the theme song "Treasure of Fire," is an important element in bringing out the emotion of the story. In addition, the attention to detail of music director Seiji Suzuki and sound director Satoshi Kato enhances the unity of the music and the visuals.

■ Evaluations and reactions from fans

"Lupin III: Green vs. Red" has been highly praised by Lupin III fans. It has been especially praised for its portrayal of Lupin III's free-spiritedness and humor through the character of Yasuo. The showdown scene with "Red Lupin" also left a strong impression on fans as a battle for the name of Lupin III.

The film has been met with a great response from fans, with many pointing out how it explored new possibilities for Lupin III. In particular, fans have been surprised by the fact that the appeal of Lupin III has been reaffirmed through the character of Yasuo. The quality of the visuals and music has also been highly praised, and is an important element in enhancing the worldview of Lupin III.

■ Recommendations and related works

"Lupin the Third: Green vs. Red" is a work that can be recommended not only to Lupin the Third fans, but to all anime fans. It is particularly appealing in that it explores new possibilities for Lupin the Third, and has been highly praised for portraying the free-spiritedness and humor of Lupin the Third through the character of Yasuo. The high quality of the visuals and music also serve as important elements that bring out the worldview of Lupin the Third.

Related works include other Lupin III OVAs and movies. In particular, "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro" and "Lupin III: Dead or Alive" are works that fully bring out the charm of Lupin III and can be enjoyed together with "Lupin III: Green vs. Red". In addition, the original manga by Monkey Punch is also recommended for a deeper understanding of the world of Lupin III.

Conclusion

"Lupin III: Green vs. Red" is a work that explores new possibilities for Lupin III, and has been highly praised for its depiction of Lupin III's free-spiritedness and humor through the character of Yasuo. The high quality of the visuals and music also serve as an important element in enhancing the worldview of Lupin III. This is a work that can be recommended not only to Lupin III fans, but to all anime fans, and by enjoying it together with related works, you will be able to understand the charm of Lupin III even more deeply.