A Legendary Milestone for the King of Thieves!
Can you believe it has been 55 years since the world’s most elusive thief first graced our television screens? To celebrate the incredible 55th anniversary of the Lupin the Third anime adaptation—which first aired back in 1971—a special “Masterpiece Selection” (Kessakusen) broadcast is set to kick off on Nippon TV!
Based on the iconic manga by Monkey Punch, Lupin the Third has captivated audiences worldwide with the thrilling adventures of Lupin, his trusted allies Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa, and Fujiko Mine, alongside their relentless pursuer, Inspector Zenigata. Now, fans are getting the ultimate tribute to this legacy with a curated 13-episode run chosen entirely by the community.
The Ultimate Fan-Voted Lineup
The “Masterpiece Selection” will showcase the top-voted episodes across the franchise’s history, spanning from Lupin the Third PART 1 to PART 6, as well as the dark and stylish spin-off series, LUPIN the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. The broadcast features the top two episodes from each mainline part and the number one episode from the spin-off.
Here are the spectacular first-place winners that fans chose to top the list:
- Lupin the Third PART 1 (1st Place): “Is Lupin Burning…?!”
- Lupin the Third PART 2 (1st Place): “Farewell, My Beloved Lupin”
- Lupin the Third PART III (1st Place): “The Gold Calls for Lupin”
- Lupin the Third PART 4 (1st Place): “The Marriage of Lupin the Third”
- Lupin the Third PART 5 (1st Place): “Lupin the Third Forever”
- Lupin the Third PART 6 (1st Place): “EPISODE 0 – Times -“
- LUPIN the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (1st Place): “The Great Thief vs. the Female Phantom Thief”
As for the other six episodes (the second-place winners), they will remain a mystery, to be revealed only when they air!
Exclusive Commentary from the All-Star Voice Cast
What makes this anniversary event even more unmissable is the addition of brand-new, exclusive introductions for each episode. The current star-studded main voice cast has recorded special narration just for this broadcast! Fans in Japan will get to hear fresh commentary from:
- Kanichi Kurita (Lupin the Third)
- Akio Otsuka (Daisuke Jigen)
- Daisuke Namikawa (Goemon Ishikawa XIII)
- Miyuki Sawashiro (Fujiko Mine)
- Koichi Yamadera (Inspector Zenigata)
These special recordings will only be available during this promotional run, making it a truly unique experience for the community.
Broadcast Information
The Lupin the Third Masterpiece Selection is scheduled to begin broadcasting on Saturday, October 3, 2026, on Nippon TV, airing weekly during the late-night slot. For those in Japan, episodes will also be available for streaming on TVer immediately after the broadcast.
Let’s celebrate over half a century of history, heist, and humor with Lupin and the gang! Which episode are you hoping makes the second-place list?
Source: Yahoo News Japan