cosmicblizzard
Banned
Im confused
That's from 2002. Back when anime was good.
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Lupin III - "The Woman Called Fujiko Mine" |OT| HARD & DANGEROUS
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That's from 2002. Back when anime was good.
I find it pretty similar in several ways, especially in the first episode. The direction is definitely inspired by that at the very least.
Trust me, this looks VERY different from Koike's normal style which he's known for. Movement is more loose, there are pencil shaded lines everywhere (some are filters, but many are part of the keyframe animation as well), colors are more muted and watercolor looking, and there are very few scenes which look like the ultra-clean and modern-graphic animation style that Koike uses normally.
Ultimadrago
Member
It looks a lot a different than the very clean style he usually has, but somehow it's still very Koike-ish.
It's the poses I tell you, it's the fucking poses.
Mgoblue201
Won't stop picking the right nation
Lupin is the only anime I've ever really liked, but it's been so long since I've seen it that I can't tell if it's still something that I'd really enjoy. The art style, at least, and the strong memories of the franchise have gotten me interested in this.
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
i am hard and dangerous for fujiko if you know what im saying
This would probably be funny if you were a junior.
TDLink
Member
I think Lupin is a franchise that anyone can like pretty easily. Part of it is that it rarely resorts to typical anime-isms and is almost always more mature than most other anime out there, even when it is being lighthearted. Watching Lupin you just know you are in for a fun viewing experience. That's my take anyways.
IC_Champion
Member
It was like a Japanese anime sequence directed by Russ Meyer. And that's a compliment. I like the style.
So, Yamakan liked this SO MUCH he spent all day "praising it" on Twitter: http://privatepaste.com/73e407a1ae
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
Just finished watching the first episode. It was pretty damn good, it literally had STYLE in every frame of it's direction, the sexuality, the eroticisms and the music all felt classy as fuck.
That said based on some impressions; it wasn't as erotic or pornographic as I was expecting, and none of it felt awkward at all surprisingly, it all felt appropriate within the context of the atmosphere, just really great stuff.
Can't wait for the next episode! it has lived up to my expectations so far.
One weird thing about this compared to other Lupin TV series, is the episode only featured Fujiko, Lupin and Zenigata. Jigen or Ishikawa weren't anywhere to be found, interesting enough.
That said based on some impressions; it wasn't as erotic or pornographic as I was expecting, and none of it felt awkward at all surprisingly, it all felt appropriate within the context of the atmosphere, just really great stuff.
Can't wait for the next episode! it has lived up to my expectations so far.
One weird thing about this compared to other Lupin TV series, is the episode only featured Fujiko, Lupin and Zenigata. Jigen or Ishikawa weren't anywhere to be found, interesting enough.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Pinch me, because I must be dreaming. Just watched a RAW version I found elsewhere, and the episode's a really great start. The plot is out of the question for the time being, but the setting is very Lupin-esque, and there's a lot of hard-broiled heist stuff lying underneath the fantastical, rich exterior. Visually outstanding and seemingly all over the place with contrasting visual elements, yet controlled in a way that's balanced and not overly-extreme, outside of the more chaotic scenes. And, judging from what I saw, it seems that Lupin's relationship with Fujiko here is well-developed, starting with unfamiliarity and then leading to the ending scene, where it's revealed that
Very good episode all-around. And the music is surprisingly goodnot as memorable as Yuji Ohno's work (not the same composer, anyway, and no mention of Yuji's famous Lupin theme), but it reminds me of Takeo Yamashita's OST from the Green Jacket series: full of weird dissonances, clashing styles and period influences, and a good deal of contextualism combined with memorable interludes. Reflective of such an eclectic production, anyhow.
Zenigata's assistant is, so far, the only real Okada-like element I was able to pinpoint in this episode alone (his name is Oscar, apparently, an ode to Rose of Versailles and probably a hint that he's meant to be androgynous). And Jigen and Goemon will probably make their appearances in the next episode anywayDaisuke got mentioned in this one, that's for sure. I'm going to stop talking because I'll never stop now.
he tagged her thigh with some kind of message and kooky face, right after she marked his cheek with lipstick via bullet.
Zenigata's assistant is, so far, the only real Okada-like element I was able to pinpoint in this episode alone (his name is Oscar, apparently, an ode to Rose of Versailles and probably a hint that he's meant to be androgynous). And Jigen and Goemon will probably make their appearances in the next episode anywayDaisuke got mentioned in this one, that's for sure. I'm going to stop talking because I'll never stop now.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
I really liked the little dream sequences showing off Lupin himself. He's utterly, maniacally self-absorbed, to the point that he sees his face and persona on famous paintings all around the world. An awful lot of harem material in this episode, mainly because the big baddie is this
In a lot of ways, the episode is resemblant of the original Rupan Sansei pilot film. They both feel short and concise, meant to give the viewers a condensed audiovisual description of the major characters, episodes before flinging them into more and more complex scenarios.
old rich badass with too many Arabian Nights-inspired attractions, mystical spells, and boobular women.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Oh man did I laugh my diaphragm out. What an awesome shot.
Not a lot to be said that hasn't already been said, but the first episode is pretty incredible visually. Some really well directed action in there as well, I particularly enjoyed that
. The music fits perfectly as well, very jazzy. Definitely looking forward to more.
gun fight with the lights switching on and off, that was very well done
Togglesworlh
Banned
How appropriately timed, considering I just recently started watching the entire series from start to finish for the first time. Well, second time. First time I gave up because the first series was boring.
This time around I loved it, but I hate the second series. Why is he so much more goofy with the red coat? ):
This art looks boss. I am pleased.
This time around I loved it, but I hate the second series. Why is he so much more goofy with the red coat? ):
This art looks boss. I am pleased.
Basileus777
Member
THE NO LIFE KING, you shouldn't ask that.
ThirstyFly
Member
I don't really watch anime anymore, but I'm always down for some Lupin. What's the turn around time for shows to get legit releases in North America these days? I'd love to own this on BD.
Now let's get some new City Hunter too.
Now let's get some new City Hunter too.
No English simulcasts, and my Japanese is super rusty. Watching episode 1 is not going well. Also...ohmigod that intro video.
Edit: Loved episode 1, although I'd like for them to cut down on the black crayon/charcoal/whatever lines. Very excited that this could be something special.
Edit: Loved episode 1, although I'd like for them to cut down on the black crayon/charcoal/whatever lines. Very excited that this could be something special.
My nose...it is bloody
The producer actually mentioned this before. The decision to make a series focused on Fujiko instead of Lupin allows them to avoid the expectation that every week the entire gang will be forced into the storylines on way or another. If Lupin is the lead, there is that expectation. If Fujiko is the lead, they can remove that expectation and only use the characters the story really requires each week.
Charoncaori
Member
That was awesome! The animation oozes style and the music sounded a lot like the original show, without being too corny. That was an absolute joy to watch. Even the CG wasn't too out of place... What did they do, cut the frame rate? Still slightly distracting, though.
The action sequences were really fun. Can't wait for next week.
The action sequences were really fun. Can't wait for next week.
So is that other chick in the ED Oscar...?
TDLink
Member
I wouldn't count on it. Barely any Lupin has seen legitimate release in North America. You can find around a dozen of the TV specials/movies (mostly from the 90s, released by Funimation with a few more released by Diskotek), which in total is less than half of the total Lupin movies out there. You can also find around 80 episodes of the 155 episode second TV series (Red Jacket). The rest of that series though (and the other two) have yet to be localized and the are 30+ years old. I unfortunately wouldn't count on this getting a legitimate North American release, though I'd love to be wrong. America needs more Lupin...it just hasn't done well here in the past.
Yeah, it's been so long since the original Lupin releases I don't think we have to use those as a barometer for the likelyhood of KoikeLupin getting a localization.
TDLink
Member
Almost all of the Lupin TV specials in the last decade though (the most recent Lupin stuff prior to this) still have yet to see official release (Episode 0 is the only one). Honestly most of those are some of the best as well, especially from the early 2000s, so it is really disappointing that we can't buy them localized. I hope you guys are right since this is easily my favourite anime franchise but all of the American anime distributors just haven't been big on Lupin in the past.
But for the TV specials, I can see why they wouldn't be licensed (regardless of their quality) since Lupin doesn't have a big following in the States. A new complete series, however, does make sense to license. So I'm tending towards being optimistic about a future release in America.
It is staggering seeing such a finely crafted but unclean (artisan) touch of visual appeal, specially for a TV series. I love everything about the look on this. A strange mix, because I also like the sight of Lupin the Third animated goofiness present on it (as busterbeam would have demonstrated here by now with images), but maybe there wasn't present enough correlation with the moments, and came a little forced given the crude mood. That makes it close to Monkey Punch's character, though. This is not a criticism, only an odd sensation.
I liked and want to keep seeing that 'battle of meddlers' between Lupin the Third and Fujiko on next episodes. From previous occasions, where normally Fujiko worked in the shadows, behind Lupin's back, to a now possible interchange of roles not knowing for sure the outcome of their encounters, would be great.
I liked and want to keep seeing that 'battle of meddlers' between Lupin the Third and Fujiko on next episodes. From previous occasions, where normally Fujiko worked in the shadows, behind Lupin's back, to a now possible interchange of roles not knowing for sure the outcome of their encounters, would be great.
Lupin the Third
Member
Zac of Anime News Network posted his thoughts in the Spring Preview Guide. He gave Episode 1 a 5 out of 5.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/preview-guide/2012/the-spring-anime/zac
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/preview-guide/2012/the-spring-anime/zac
FUJIKOIKE 1
As far as I'm concerned, this was a definite success. The biggest problem is the shadow filter used, half the time it doesn't look good. Otherwise, I really like the visual style it's using. It managed to keep a very 70's feel to the story and action, and the characters are likeable so far.
As far as I'm concerned, this was a definite success. The biggest problem is the shadow filter used, half the time it doesn't look good. Otherwise, I really like the visual style it's using. It managed to keep a very 70's feel to the story and action, and the characters are likeable so far.
Sickboy007
Member
Having watched Lupin everyday growing up, this looks amaaaaazing.
The Return of
Banned
I was just about to come in here and make this post no lie. I really enjoyed Lupin growing up so it's nice to see this show come back. I never watched any of the movies though, thinking about getting them.
Sickboy007
Member
I can't suggest Castle of Cagliostro enough, the others are kind of forgettable.
How was the score of the first ep? Any reference to the classic tunes?
Krauser Kat
Member
This show is amazing. Best anime in ages.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Mystery of Mamo and First Contact are my other two favorites, though I think CoC is the best-directed of them all.
The music is definitely not like Yuji Ohno's, outside of period influences in the musical style (a lot of funk and sleazy post-bop, intermixed with experimental atonal and contextual interludes). It all sounds more neutral and even oppressive at times, with little in the way of melodic content and more focus on development of solo material and interesting stylistic contrasts. Indeed, the opening piece itself is a very rhythmic chamber orchestra piece with modern jazz rhythmic structures and modern, pseudo-baroque instrumentation. But it all works really well, and I'd listen to an OST release even if a lot of the music isn't as memorable as the melody-dominated Lupin standards done by Takeo Yamashita and Yuji Ohno.
Net_Wrecker
Member
Really enjoyed the first episode. Suitably crazy with a great art style.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Review by Ben Attinger.
Not a very well-written review, though I like the details he went over (and respectfully disagree with his notion that this isn't Lupin, and that only the sillyness and kookiness of, say, the Red Jacket and Pink Jacket stuff can ever get his attention).
To me, anyway, he misses the point of the overt nudity and setting contributing to use of said nudity (in that it shows that Fujiko has no standards when it comes to tricking men, whereas Lupin acts fashionably and gentlemanly, always using more abstract reasoning to outwit her and get the McGuffin into his mittens). And I like the opening a lot, in that it lays bare Fujiko's obsession with stealing and seduction, so vile and outrageous to the point of gratuity that the opening reflect that with overly-dramatic music and prose. She's a bit self-absorbed, really, but not in a healthy, experienced way at all. This is likely to be rectified gradually, as her character develops into a more subtle, more clever species by the end of the production. Another thing he likes to focus on are the various animators and styles of medium and animating technique used throughout anime productionshe sure didn't like the way Fujiko was presented, saying she was just bland and inflexible. Inflexible, of course, is sort of the point: she looks soft, innocent, naive, and the emphasis on these qualities provides a real-noticeable contrast to the hardy shading and looks of Lupin and Zenigata. Also: she does not realistic. Detailed might be more fitting, but even then she's rather spare on the details, as are the other characters. Don't know why he said any of that, because glossy ≠ detailed.
He was comparing these character models to the ones used in the GJ and RJ series, and I think the new character models have a really good balance of pliability, unique anatomy, and a real unique, edgy look that feels Koike-like in a lot of ways. Fujiko, understandably, is the less edgy of them all, relying on other external qualities to deceive and seduce. Not to mention he's all about how the old models "left more to the imagination", especially regarding how transparent Fujiko's character and attire is in this first episode. If he wants to think that the character is more subtle, and that the story is less about showing boobs than he thinks it is, then he should listen to some audio dramas. This is a visual mediumlet them do something that might seem gratuitous at first, before realizing how subtle and fitting all the nudity is in the grand scheme of her character development.
Zenigata is his next disappointment, which is actually harder to argue against. In all of the other anime productions, at least, he's shown to be stark raving mad because he can never catch Lupin, yet he needs Lupin in his life to give him a goal and finality that, secretly, he never wants to fully realize (see one of the earlier episodes in the Green Jacket series, which subtly develops this concept with perfect pacing and amazing script-writing). Here, though, Lupin and Fujiko are both relative newcomers to Zenigata's inquiries, Lupin being young and undeniably-successful while Fujiko's just starting out. So, honestly, I don't think Zenigata sees Lupin as a major threat yet, and I expect Mari to develop him into a more bumbling, extreme persona as the series continues. After all:
! What actually insulted me is the reviewer's insinuation that there's some homoerotic connection between Zenigata and his aide-de-camp, who looks very androgynous and blushes when given orders. That statement is a fallacy of its own, considering that Oscar is the wild-card recurring character we're likely going to see more of, and this is just the first episode anyways. Who knows how any of the MCs in this production are going to develop? Given that this series is episodic and short, a lot of the emphasis is likely going to be on putting the characters in unique scenarios meant to develop and capitalize on their internal and external traits, and we just don't know anything about Oscar's thought process yet to know what his position is with Zenigata, whether there is a relationship, or if any sentiments he has for a guy like Zeni are reciprocal too.
Aside from failing to mention the music at all, he doesn't really approve of the action sequences, mainly because "they don't feel exhilarating". Excepting one short sequence right before the first half of the ep ends, they all felt really well-paced and composed, with the final action sequence being a really-great example of the Fujiko/Lupin interplay I want to see more of in the succeeding episodes. True enough, there's a great mix of Monkey Punch-like insane scenarios (
) and subtle interactions between the two most important characters to so far appear. Furthermore, it's a surprisingly-humorous trip to behold, with terribly-witty dialogue, classy and typical Lupin stunts and tricks, and a decent satire of men who lead religious cults. Overall, though, the most ridiculous thing he said was that it simply wasn't Lupin. Sure: I can understand that it's quite different, an edgier and more-outlandish variation of the early-Green Jacket Lupin formula. But it's got a lot of amazing visual design, silly concepts and set-ups delivered with panache and precision, and the episode succeeds at being a more-than-robust integration of Lupin elements old and new. Having just watched a subbed version, I can also say that, for the time being at least, Mari Okada is under control and seems to know what to do.
Ultimately: I don't like the snooty tone of that review very much, especially with the fallacies and semantic failures littered throughout, making it feel like a bad enthusiast review disguised by decent dictionary skills. Bleh~
Not a very well-written review, though I like the details he went over (and respectfully disagree with his notion that this isn't Lupin, and that only the sillyness and kookiness of, say, the Red Jacket and Pink Jacket stuff can ever get his attention).
To me, anyway, he misses the point of the overt nudity and setting contributing to use of said nudity (in that it shows that Fujiko has no standards when it comes to tricking men, whereas Lupin acts fashionably and gentlemanly, always using more abstract reasoning to outwit her and get the McGuffin into his mittens). And I like the opening a lot, in that it lays bare Fujiko's obsession with stealing and seduction, so vile and outrageous to the point of gratuity that the opening reflect that with overly-dramatic music and prose. She's a bit self-absorbed, really, but not in a healthy, experienced way at all. This is likely to be rectified gradually, as her character develops into a more subtle, more clever species by the end of the production. Another thing he likes to focus on are the various animators and styles of medium and animating technique used throughout anime productionshe sure didn't like the way Fujiko was presented, saying she was just bland and inflexible. Inflexible, of course, is sort of the point: she looks soft, innocent, naive, and the emphasis on these qualities provides a real-noticeable contrast to the hardy shading and looks of Lupin and Zenigata. Also: she does not realistic. Detailed might be more fitting, but even then she's rather spare on the details, as are the other characters. Don't know why he said any of that, because glossy ≠ detailed.
He was comparing these character models to the ones used in the GJ and RJ series, and I think the new character models have a really good balance of pliability, unique anatomy, and a real unique, edgy look that feels Koike-like in a lot of ways. Fujiko, understandably, is the less edgy of them all, relying on other external qualities to deceive and seduce. Not to mention he's all about how the old models "left more to the imagination", especially regarding how transparent Fujiko's character and attire is in this first episode. If he wants to think that the character is more subtle, and that the story is less about showing boobs than he thinks it is, then he should listen to some audio dramas. This is a visual mediumlet them do something that might seem gratuitous at first, before realizing how subtle and fitting all the nudity is in the grand scheme of her character development.
Zenigata is his next disappointment, which is actually harder to argue against. In all of the other anime productions, at least, he's shown to be stark raving mad because he can never catch Lupin, yet he needs Lupin in his life to give him a goal and finality that, secretly, he never wants to fully realize (see one of the earlier episodes in the Green Jacket series, which subtly develops this concept with perfect pacing and amazing script-writing). Here, though, Lupin and Fujiko are both relative newcomers to Zenigata's inquiries, Lupin being young and undeniably-successful while Fujiko's just starting out. So, honestly, I don't think Zenigata sees Lupin as a major threat yet, and I expect Mari to develop him into a more bumbling, extreme persona as the series continues. After all:
when Lupin rides off of the island on top of the Fraulein Hoyle crystal Buddha, using a whole bunch of high-power rockets to literally surf on the ground and out to sea, Zenigata looks a little puzzled himself
Aside from failing to mention the music at all, he doesn't really approve of the action sequences, mainly because "they don't feel exhilarating". Excepting one short sequence right before the first half of the ep ends, they all felt really well-paced and composed, with the final action sequence being a really-great example of the Fujiko/Lupin interplay I want to see more of in the succeeding episodes. True enough, there's a great mix of Monkey Punch-like insane scenarios (
surfing on a crystallized Buddha statue made out of a hallucinogenic substance!
Ultimately: I don't like the snooty tone of that review very much, especially with the fallacies and semantic failures littered throughout, making it feel like a bad enthusiast review disguised by decent dictionary skills. Bleh~
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