TMS Entertainment announced Sunday the upcoming release of new anime spinoff, Lupin Zero with a teaser visual and trailer. The anime, which depicts the youthful days of the world’s greatest thief, Lupin III, will premiere at this year’s Anime NYC convention. The show is slated to be released December 16, and will be available to stream on HIDIVE in the United States.
The 6 x 30′ series features a young, nameless, Lupin III running around the streets of 1960s Japan during the economic boom — the era contemporaneous to Monkey Punch’s release of the original manga.
A teaser trailer offering a glimpse at Lupin III’s veiled beginnings has been released, as well as early key art. TMS has also shared a brief interview with series director Daisuke Sakou (Lupin the 3rd Part 5, Yokai Watch) and producer Koji Nozaki (Lupin the 3rd Part 6, Lupin III: The First), which you can read below.
Synopsis: How did this young boy become notorious gentleman thief “Lupin III”? Since the initial serialization of Monkey Punch’s globally renowned Lupin the 3rd manga in 1967, Lupin III has taken the world by storm and has appeared in various media. However, despite his longstanding status and notoriety as the world’s greatest thief, there was once a time when even Lupin III, was young and inexperienced.
Loosely based on Young Lupin III from the original manga, Lupin Zero will tell a nostalgic, yet brand new original story, finally lifting the veil cast upon Lupin III’s humble beginnings. Set during the era in which the original series was first published, the anime depicts Young Lupin III running around the streets of 1960’s Japan during the country’s economic boom.
A young boy climbs the staircase to villainhood. What was he thinking and what steps did he take? This is the untold origin story of the world’s greatest thief.
Production studio, Telecom Animation Film Co., Ltd., (responsible for several other Lupin the 3rd series) will handle the animation, which TMS says will feature a unique, retro-inspired art style. Music for the show will be written by Yoshihide Otomo (Ama Chan, Inu-Oh), with arrangements of Takeo Yamashita’s musical works from Lupin the 3rd Part 1.
In addition to Sakou and Nozaki, the series’ key creative case includes supervisor Ichirou Okouchi (Lupin the 3rd Part 5, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress), settings researcher Seiichi Shirato (Lupin the 3rd Part 5, Jormungand) and character designer Asami Taguchi (Lupin the 3rd Part 5, Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas).
TMS Ent. and HIDIVE will hold the show’s world premiere screening at Anime NYC on November 18 (6:30 p.m.), at the Javits Center in New York, Panel Room 4 — attendees must be aged 18 or over due to mature content. The debut will be accompanied by a voice cast reveal and exclusive prize giveaways. Screening/panel attendees will also receive an exclusive Lupin Zero temporary tattoo, depicting our scrappy young hero.
LUPIN ZERO Q&A
What moved you to make an anime about Lupin III’s past?
Koji Nozaki (Producer): We wanted to depict Lupin III’s younger days, as they had never been animated before. We based him off the Young Lupin III from Monkey Punch’s original manga.
How did you create Lupin III’s younger self? What did you value most when you created him?
Daisuke Sakou (Director): We created Young Lupin III based on the few chapters of him in the manga, as well as the moments in which older Lupin III would reminisce about his youth. While the Lupin III we bring to life in this animated world is the only Lupin we know, he is actually the young master and third-generation son of the famous Lupin family. The staff wanted to give the fans the ability to peek into his past and took into consideration the many possibilities of what the young master would have been like at 13 years old.
Why did you set the story in 1960s Tokyo?
Sakou: Though Lupin’s age and nationality are a mystery, it doesn’t change the fact that he was once a kid. Lupin III first appeared in the anime in 1971 on the Hida Speedway. If we turn back time from that era, it’s safe to assume that Lupin would have been a kid in the 1960’s in Japan. We wanted to encapsulate the vibe of the era and provide fans with a glimpse into his past — although an adult Lupin III would likely detest his past being seen.
What is the theme of the story throughout all six episodes?
Sakou: While adult Lupin makes his living as a thief, as a 13-year old, he would have been a middle schooler. Though he comes from a family of thieves, he has yet to take over the family profession. Knowing his personality, it is also unclear if Lupin III would even succeed the family profession just because he was told. He’s at the age where being told what to do is annoying, but he won’t be young forever. In this story, Young Lupin will decide what he wants to do for himself.
Was there anything you incorporated into Lupin Zero that the series had never tried?
Sakou: Things that adult Lupin III cannot do. Though he is a mysterious man, we are turning back time to revisit his adolescence. Even as a 13-year old, he possesses a level of wisdom and ingenuity that puts adults to shame, but due to his age, he does not possess the same level of physical strength of an adult. Combined with Lupin III’s carefree nature, these characteristics lend themselves to making Lupin Zero a fun anime to watch. Even those who aren’t as familiar with Lupin III will still be able to enjoy his shenanigans. Those familiar with the adult Lupin III will take pleasure in getting to meet the cute boy who later becomes the world’s greatest thief.
