Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (LUPIN the Third -峰不二子という女-, Rupan za Saado Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna) is the fourth incarnation of TMS Entertainment's long-running anime television adaptation of the Lupin III (ルパン三世, Rupan Sansei) manga series written by Monkey Punch. Directed by Sayo Yamamoto, it aired on NTV from April 4, 2012 to June 27, 2012. It focuses on the franchise's heroine, Fujiko Mine, as she undergoes various missions and encounters the rest of the Lupin III cast for the first time. Unlike the franchise's previous three televised anime, The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is more sexually oriented in order to capture the "sensuality" present in the original manga as well as darker and more serious. It is also the only installment in the franchise to be directed by a woman and the first in which Lupin is not the protagonist.

VAP released the anime on home video in four-disc DVD and Blu-ray box sets on September 19, 2012. Funimation simulcasted the series, with English subtitles, on their website and Nico Nico for North American audiences as it aired in Japan. They released The Woman Called Fujiko Mine in Blu-ray and Blu-ray/DVD sets on August 20, 2013, including an English-language dub. Manga Entertainment released a similar set in the United Kingdom on September 16, whereas Hanabee released it in Australasia in two parts, on October 16 and November 20.

Background and production

In April 2011, it was reported that a new Lupin III animated television series would air in the fall on NTV.^[1] However, NTV then said the project was only a TV special (Blood Seal – Eternal Mermaid which aired in December), not a series.^[2] In 2012, Toho Cinemas announced that a promotional video for a "new television series premiering in April" would be shown at a Lupin 40th Anniversary event on March 18.^[3] Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine was announced a week later as a thirteen episode serial.^[4] The series was part of the 40th Anniversary of the Lupin animated series, and the 45th Anniversary of the original manga.^[5]

The series was directed by Sayo Yamamoto who was given full creative control. Yamamoto wanted to use the original Lupin III manga and its adult themes as a basis for the series.^[5] Takeshi Koike was the character designer and animation director and Yamamoto requested he use the original manga character designs as a starting point.^[4][5] The visual approach to the series has been compared to Valkyria Chronicles.^[6]

Mari Okada was the main writer of the series,^[4] although Itsuko Miyoshi (ep 2), Dai Satō (ep 3, 7, 10),^[7] Shinsuke Ōnishi (ep 5) and Junji Nishimura (ep 8) served as episode writers. It was reported that the series would capture the "sensuality" present in Monkey Punch's original Lupin III manga in its "daring interpretation" of the franchise.^[4] The promotional video first shown at Toho Cinemas began being streamed by TMS Entertainment on YouTube on March 26.^[8]

The music of Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine was composed by Naruyoshi Kikuchi, leader of the Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden band.^[7] Shinichirō Watanabe, known for directing Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo and who collaborated with Yamamoto several times in the past, served as music producer.^[9]

Voice cast

Release

The series was broadcast for thirteen episodes on NTV between April 4 and June 27, 2012. The opening theme song is "New Wuthering Heights" (新・嵐が丘, Shin Arashi ga Oka) by Naruyoshi Kikuchi and Pepe Tormento Azcarar feat. Ichiko Hashimoto, while the ending theme is "Duty Friend" by NIKIIE.^[10] Funimation licensed the series and provided an English subtitled simulcast of the series on both their website and Nico Nico.^[11]

In Japan the series was released by VAP as DVD and Blu-ray boxsets on September 19, 2012.^[12] In North America Funimation originally announced a date of July 30, 2013 for the home release of the series, with an art book included with a limited edition.^[10] However the art book was later cancelled and the release rescheduled to August 20, 2014 on Blu-ray or DVD and Blu-ray combo pack.^[13] Manga Entertainment licensed the series for the United Kingdom and released separate DVD and Blu-ray boxsets on September 16, 2013.^[14] In Australia the series was published by Hanabee as two DVD and Blu-ray combo sets on October 16 and November 20, 2013.^[15][16] On December 12, Jason DeMarco on Twitter said that "Lupin III: The Legend of Fujiko Mine" was considered to be aired on Toonami, but they could not make it work due to the show having too much nudity for their censors.^[17][18]

Other media

Music

The official soundtrack of the show was released on December 19, 2012, and features 42-tracks.^[19] It was released on US iTunes on January 29, 2013.^[20]

Jigen's Gravestone

In March 2014, it was announced that The Woman Called Fujiko Mine's animation director and character designer, Takeshi Koike, was directing an animated film that serves as a "continuation spin-off" to the TV series. Yu Kiyozono also returned to produce the film, Lupin the IIIrd: Daisuke Jigen's Gravestone (LUPIN THE IIIRD 次元大介の墓標, Jigen Daisuke no Bohyō), that focuses on the character Jigen and tells how he and Lupin became partners.^[21] Koike's fellow-Redline creators Katsuhito Ishii and James Shimoji served as adviser and music composer respectively. The film was split into two parts and had a limited screening at the Shinjuku Wald 9 theater from June 21–27, 2014.^[22][23] It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 28, 2014, with an art book included in the limited edition.^[24] The 30-track soundtrack to the movie was released on December 10, 2014.^[25] On December 21, 2014, Discotek Media announced their acquisition of the North American distribution rights to the film, which was retitled Lupin the Third: Jigen's Gravestone for the American market. Their Blu-ray and DVD of the film, released on April 5, 2016, includes the company's first original English dub,^[26] which was produced in cooperation with Bang Zoom! Entertainment. TMS Entertainment made the dubbed and subtitled versions of the film available for viewing on Hulu on April 25, 2015.^[27]

Film cast

Goemon Ishikawa's Spray of Blood

A follow-up to Jigen's Gravestone by the same staff, entitled Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon Ishikawa's Spray of Blood (LUPIN THE IIIRD 血煙の石川五ェ門, Chikemuri no Ishikawa Goemon), is scheduled for release on February 4, 2017.^[28]

Other

Several different pieces of merchandise based on the series have been produced. Figures of Fujiko and Lupin from the show were created,^[29] while one of Jigen from the Jigen's Gravestone film was released at the end of 2014. Fujiko's and Jigen's came in different color schemes depending on the retailer.^[30][31] An artbook featuring original drawings of the TV series selected by Takeshi Koike was published as well.^[32]

Reception

The Woman Called Fujiko Mine won the rookie award at the 16th Japan Media Arts Festival,^[33] and was named one of the best anime of 2012 by Otaku USA, who called the animation the most innovative of any series that year.^[34] The Japanese DVD release of the series was the fifth best-selling Japanese Animation DVD of its first week having sold 1,404 copies, while the Blu-ray version was the ninth best-selling on its respective Oricon chart with 2,802 copies.^[35][36]

Kotaku's Richard Eisenbeis hailed the series as "one of—if not 'the'—most beautiful anime ever made."^[37] Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network wrote a mostly positive review of the anime. She praised its darker tone and the tragic past of Fujiko, but particularly the overall plot; "Simply put, this is a series that has been very well planned, right down to the last scene." She notes that if the viewer is only familiar with the North American Geneon release of the second televised anime they will be surprised; "If you're going into this expecting wacky hijinks or crazy exploits, you will be disappointed. Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is a mature, slightly dark take on the franchise, and it succeeds in bringing new life to it while still remaining faithful to Monkey Punch's original." The only negative aspects she wrote were on the series' odd title opening and the amount of unjustified nudity.^[38] However, her colleague Jacob Hope Chapman disagreed with this, believing that the audio stands out in the opening and that the sexuality is completely in-line with the show's "aesthetic and never seems excessive or ill-fitting."^[39] Dallas Marshall of THEM Anime Reviews gave the series 4 out of 5 stars, praising the series for being closer to the original manga's style in both story and animation.^[40]

References

External links

• Official website
• Daisuke Jigen's Gravestone official website
• The Woman Called Fujiko Mine at NTV
• The Woman Called Fujiko Mine at Funimation
• The Woman Called Fujiko Mine at Hanabee
• The Woman Called Fujiko Mine on Hulu
• Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

Tokyo Movie Shinsha/TMS Entertainment
1960s	Big X (1964–1965) Obake no Q-tarō (1965–1967) Perman (1967–1968) Kyojin no Hoshi (1968–1971) Kaibutsu-kun (1968–1969) Moomin (1969–1970) Attack No. 1 (1969–1971)
1970s	Shin Obake no Q-tarō (1971–1972) Tensai Bakabon (1971–1972) Lupin III (1971–1972) Akado Suzunosuke (1972–1973) Dokonjō Gaeru (1972–1974) Jungle Kurobe (1973) Kōya no Shōnen Isamu (1973–1974) Karate Baka Ichidai (1973–1974) Ace o Nerae! (1973–1974) First Human Giatrus (1974–1976) Ganba no Bōken (1975) Ganso Tensai Bakabon (1975–1977) Shin Kyojin no Hoshi (1977–1978) Ie Naki Ko (1977–1978) Shin Lupin III (1977–1980) Treasure Island (1978–1979) Shin Ace o Nerae! (1978–1979) Shin Kyojin no Hoshi II (1979) Versailles no Bara (1979–1980)
1980s	New Tetsujin 28-go (1980–1981) Ashita no Joe 2 (1980–1981) Ohayō! Spank (1981–1982) Shin Dokonjō Gaeru (1981–1982) Acrobunch (1982) Rokushin Gattai God Mars (1981–1982) Jarinko Chie (1981–1983) Uchu Densetsu Ulysses 31 (1981–1982) Space Cobra (1982–1983) Perman (1983–1985) Lady Georgie (1983–1984) Chō Jikū Seiki Orguss (1983–1984) Cat's Eye (1983–1984) Lupin III Part 3 (1984–1985) God Mazinger (1984) Mighty Orbots (1984) Cat's Eye (1984–1985) Meitantei Holmes (1984–1985) Onegai! Samia-don (1985–1986) Robotan (1986) Galaxy High (1986) Bug-tte Honey (1986–1987) Soreike! Anpanman (1988–present) Ohayō! Spank (1989–1991) Goodbye Lady Liberty (1989) Lupin III television specials (1989–present)
1990s	Mischievous Twins: The Tales of St. Clare's (1991) Kinkyū Hasshin Saver Kids (1991–1992) Jarinko Chie: Chie-chan Funsenki (1991–1992) Watashi to Watashi: Futari no Lottie (1991–1992) Tetsujin 28-go FX (1992–1993) My Patrasche (1992–1993) Ohayō! Spank (1994–1995) Soccer Fever (1994–1995) Red Baron (1994–1995) Magic Knight Rayearth (1994–1995) Magic Knight Rayearth 2 (1995) Virtua Fighter (1995–1996) Kaito Saint Tail (1995–1996) Detective Conan (1996–present) B't X (1996) Wankorobe (1996–1997) B't X Neo (1997) Devil Lady (1998–1999) Monster Rancher (1999–2001) Shūkan Storyland (1999–2001) Gozonji! Gekko Kamen-kun (1999–2000) Cybersix (1999) Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon (1999–2000)
2000s	Magic Ball Mondo the 2000 (2000) Hamtaro (2000–2006) Shin Megami Tensei: DeviChil (2000–2001) Project ARMS (2001) Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter (2001–2002) Patapata Hikōsen no Bōken (2002) Tenshi Na Konamaiki (2002–2003) Sonic X (2003–2004) Takahashi Rumic Gekijō (2003) The Wicked and the Damned: A Hundred Tales of Karma (2003) Mermaid's Forest (2003) PoPoLoCrois (2003–2004) Uninhabited Planet Survive! (2003–2004) Aishiteruze Baby (2004) Futakoi (2004) Gallery Fake (2005) Buzzer Beater (2005) Glass no Kamen (2005–2006) The Snow Queen (2005–2006) Tide-Line Blue (2005) Fighting Beauty Wulong (2005–2006) Mushiking: The King of Beetles (2005–2006) Angel Heart (2005–2006) Fighting Beauty Wulong Rebirth (2006) Trotting Hamtaro Hai! (2006–2008) Muteki Kanban Musume (2006) D.Gray-man (2006–2008) Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006–2007) Pururun! Shizuku-chan (2006–2007) Bakugan Battle Brawlers (2007–2008) Buzzer Beater II (2007) Pururun! Shizuku-chan Aha (2007–2008) Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture (2007) Itazura na Kiss (2008) CHIKO, Heiress of the Phantom Thief (2008) Telepathy Shōjo Ran Jiken Note (2008) Scarecrowman (2008) Bakugan: New Vestroia (2009–2010) Kupū~!! Mamegoma! (2009) Genji Monogatari Sennenki (2009) Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan (2009)
2010s	Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders (2010–2011) Lilpri (2010–2011) Magic Kaito (2010–2012) Cardfight!! Vanguard (2011–2012) Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge (2011–2012) Tottoko Hamtaro Dechu (2011–2012) Battle Girls: Time Paradox (2011) Brave 10 (2012) Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012) Hamtaro (2012–2013) Cardfight!! Vanguard: Asia Circuit (2012–2013) Zetman (2012) Moyasimon Returns (2012) Kamisama Kiss (2012) Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman (2013) Cardfight!! Vanguard: Link Joker (2013–2014) Yowamushi Pedal (2013–2014) The Pilot's Love Song (2014) Z/X Ignition (2014) Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate (2014) Hero Bank (2014–2015) Sengoku Basara: End of Judgement (2014) Gugure! Kokkuri-san (2014) Yowamushi Pedal Grande Road (2014–2015) Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls (2014) Cardfight!! Vanguard G (2014–2015) Kamisama Kiss◎ (2015) Jewelpet: Magical Change (2015) My Monster Secret (2015) Lupin the Third Part 4 (2015–2016) Cardfight!! Vanguard G: GIRS Crisis (2015–2016) Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation (2016) Bakuon!! (2016) Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Stride Gate (2016) Kamiwaza Wanda (2016–present) ReLIFE (2016) Orange (2016) Bananya (2016) D.Gray-man Hallow (2016) Sweetness and Lightning (2016) All Out!! (2016–2017) Nobunaga no Shinobi (2016) Trickster (2016–2017) Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation (2017) Chain Chronicle ~Light of Haecceitas~ (2017)
Films	Kyojin no Hoshi: Chizome no Kesshousen (1969) Kyojin no Hoshi: Ike Ike Hyuuma (1969) Kyojin no Hoshi: Dai League Ball (1970) Kyojin no Hoshi: Shukumei no Taiketsu (1970) Panda! Go, Panda! (1972) Panda! Go, Panda!: The Rainy Day Circus (1973) First Human Giatrus (1975) The Mystery of Mamo (1978) The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) Ace o Nerae! (1979) Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! (1979) Ie Naki Ko (1980) Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! 2: Gekitō Pennant Race (1980) Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! Hatsu Warai 3: Aa Tsuppari Jinsei (1980) Chie the Brat (1981) Ashita no Joe 2 (1981) Ohayō! Spank (1982) Space Adventure Cobra: The Movie (1982) Kyojin no Hoshi (1982) Six God Combination Godmars (1982) Golgo 13: The Professional (1983) Legend of the Gold of Babylon (1985) Bug-tte Honey: Megalom Shōjo Rondo 4622 (1987) Akira (1988) Anpanman films (1989–present) Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989) The Rose of Versailles: I'll Love You As Long As I Live (1990) Anpanman shorts (1990–present) Ganba to Kawauso no Bōken (1991) Kaiketsu Zorori: Mahou Tsukai no Deshi/Dai Kaizoku no Takara Sagashi (1993) Farewell to Nostradamus (1995) Dead or Alive (1996) Case Closed: The Time Bombed Skyscraper (1997) Case Closed: The Fourteenth Target (1998) Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century (1999) Case Closed: Captured in Her Eyes (2000) Case Closed: Countdown to Heaven (2001) Hamtaro (2001–2004) Case Closed: The Phantom of Baker Street (2002) Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital (2003) Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky (2004) Detective Conan: Strategy Above the Depths (2005) Detective Conan: The Private Eyes' Requiem (2006) Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior (2006–2008) Detective Conan: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure (2007) Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear (2008) Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (2009) Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky (2010) Detective Conan: Quarter of Silence (2011) The Princess and the Pilot (2011) Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker (2012) Fuse Teppō Musume no Torimonochō (2012) Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea (2013) Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper (2014) Lupin III: Jigen's Gravestone (2014) Yowamushi Pedal Re:RIDE (2014) Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno (2015) Yowamushi Pedal Re: ROAD (2015) Yowamushi Pedal: The Movie (2015) Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare (2016) Yowamushi Pedal: Spare Bike (2016) Orange: Future (2016) Chain Chronicle ~Light of Haecceitas~ (2016–2017) Lupin III: Goemon Ishikawa's Spray of Blood (2017) Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter (2017)
OVAs/ONAs	The Rose and Women of Versailles (1980) 2001 Nights (1987) Fuma Ichizoku no Inbo (1987) Ace o Nerae! 2 (1988) Godmars: The Untold Legend (1988) Ace o Nerae! Final Stage (1989–1990) Ozanari Dungeon (1991) Otanjobi Series (1995) Maps (1994–1995) Rayearth (1997) Glass no Kamen: Sen no Kamen wo Motsu Shoujo (1998–1999) Aoyama Gosho Tanhenshu (1999) Karakuri no Kimi (2000) Hamtaro (2001–2004) Ikiteita Majustushi (2002) Azusa, Otetsudai Shimasu! (2004) Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior (2007–2008) Green vs. Red (2008) Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas (2009–2011) Kamisama Kiss (2013) Yowamushi Pedal (2013) Kamisama Kiss: Kako-hen (2015–2016) Bakuon!! (2016) Baki-Dou (2016) Kamisama Kiss: Kamisama, Kekkon Zenya (2016) Trickster: Episode 00 (2016)
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