Episode 15 - Lupin the Third

Some manga become popular for a moment. Others quietly shape the industry for decades. Lupin the Third is one of those rare series that managed to do both.

Created by Monkey Punch in 1967, the story introduces Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of the legendary gentleman thief. Rather than a traditional hero, Lupin is a charming criminal who travels the world pulling off elaborate heists while constantly being pursued by Interpol inspector Zenigata. Along the way he’s joined by his unpredictable crew: the cool and calculated marksman Daisuke Jigen, the legendary swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII, and the ever-mysterious Fujiko Mine.

What makes Lupin unique is that the manga itself was relatively short, yet the character never disappeared. Over the decades the franchise expanded into multiple anime series, theatrical films, television specials, and even modern crossover movies. Each era reinvented Lupin slightly, often represented by the color of his jacket, while keeping the core idea the same: a brilliant thief always one step ahead of the chase.

In this episode we explore the origins of Lupin the Third, its evolution beyond the original manga, and why this mischievous gentleman thief has remained one of the most recognizable characters in anime history.

What We Talk About

• The creation of Lupin the Third by Monkey Punch

• How the character was inspired by the French gentleman thief Arsène Lupin

• The original manga run from 1967–1969 and its surprisingly small number of volumes

• Lupin’s core cast: Jigen, Goemon, Fujiko Mine, and Inspector Zenigata

• The different anime eras and Lupin’s iconic jacket colors

• The films that helped keep the franchise alive, including The Castle of Cagliostro

• Lupin crossovers like Lupin III vs Detective Conan and Lupin the 3rd vs Cat’s Eye

• How Lupin influenced later anime creators and the caper-style storytelling seen in modern series

Why This Manga Stood Out

What makes Lupin the Third interesting is that its influence extends far beyond the manga itself. While the original comic ran for a relatively short time, the character became the foundation for one of the longest-running anime franchises ever created.

Part of that longevity comes from how flexible the concept is. Each adaptation can shift tone slightly—sometimes leaning toward crime stories, sometimes comedy, sometimes full-scale adventure—while still keeping the familiar dynamic between Lupin and his crew.

It also helped introduce a different kind of protagonist to anime. Lupin isn’t a traditional hero. He’s a thief who succeeds through cleverness, charm, and a little bit of chaos. That formula helped inspire countless caper-style stories and characters that followed.

Final Thoughts

What started as a manga about a mischievous thief eventually turned into a franchise that has lasted for nearly sixty years. Through anime series, films, and specials, Lupin the Third continues to reinvent itself while keeping the same playful spirit that made the original story memorable.

Even today, new viewers can jump into the world of Lupin almost anywhere and still enjoy the adventure.

About the Show

Manga With Josh is a podcast where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.

As always, this is Manga With Josh — where we explore manga you may not have heard of, but probably should have.