Ranked #479

Lupin III: Episode 0 'First Contact'

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS* (I did try but it's hard not to: the episode's very good)
Let's start with the story: it's not the best but it keeps you watching intently. The main reason it achieves this is simply that it is the recollection of how the gang all first met, including Zenigata! My main criticism is the contradiction with previous episodes, or rather the re telling of events at a different time and place. The main example is Goemon, in the original series he meets Lupin with intention of killing him and they have a cool battle of wits resulting in them being friends. What happens here is not very disimilar or worse, in fact it's better than the original portayal, but since I'd watched the original series before this it just stuck in my head. However, these slight contradictions with the series from the seventies are easily forgivable just after watching the scene in which Jigen and Lupin first meet. Yet, the New York setting just doesn't seem appropriate (I don't know why, because really it should be a perfect setting).
The interactions between the characters is highly enjoyable especially Jigen and Lupin, whom have rivalry that just seems to make me grin. This is even more so near the end when the two establish their friendship, particualrly with Lupin's promise to Jigen.The two's actions also reveal the origns of Lupin's famous car.
The actions of Zenigata are as usual hilarious but for different reasons: HE WINS FOR ONCE! I know I shouldn't say spoilers but if you're a Zenigata fan you need to see the scene where he beats up an entire bad New York neighbourhood. Plus a there is very good look into why Zenigata becomes so hard headed in his pursuit of Lupin. A nice little additive is that initially Lupin wasn't the reason he was in New York, I'll let you guess who he was there to catch.As usual Lupin is set on stealing a certain item that is owned and guarded by scary people (including Jigen) and sought after those as crafty as himself (i.e. Fujiko).
The action sequences are very impressive, particularly for the retelling of Goemon meeting Lupin, and the artwork is flawless for the style chosen. I've just grown attcached to the old feel of both the first and second TV series animations.
There several intersting plot devices to keep one hooked for the story and numerous awesome action sequences to serve the same purpose, however the crowning jewel is the ending. Summed up it is Lupin being Lupin at his best and it just makes you want to smile, and spend hours listening to the great jazz edition of the tradmark theme music, while watching Lupin and co outwit Zenigata and everyone else by three steps. read more