It has been announced that the completely new animated feature film of the popular anime series "Lupin the Third," based on the manga by the late Monkey Punch, will be titled "LUPIN THE IIIRD THE MOVIE: Immortal Bloodline" and will be released on June 27th. It has also been announced that the rock group "B'z" will be performing the theme song for the film. The theme song is titled "The IIIRD Eye" and was written by B'z specifically for the film. A teaser trailer was posted on YouTube, showcasing the song.
B'z guitarist Matsumoto Takahiro commented, "I am honored and very happy to be in charge of the music for Lupin the Third, which I have been watching since I was a child. When I heard about the offer, I immediately began working on the song. When I received the offer, the first keyword and image that came to mind was 'JAZZY'. I developed it from there and arrived at this form. I think it's an interesting piece, with a mixture of B'z's rock and jazz and a gorgeous horn section."
"I looked forward to watching Lupin the Third every week since the first TV anime aired in 1971. With its exciting action and the sexiness of Fujiko Mine, it was a mature work that stood out from other anime at the time. My favorite characters are Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, and Inspector Zenigata, I like them all. But Fujiko Mine is probably my favorite. The song that plays at the end, "Walther P38", is still cool and melancholic even when I listen to it now," he said, discussing the show's appeal.
Vocalist Inaba Koshi said, "I was conscious of the tension of LUPIN THE IIIRD, which is even cooler than before, and created 'The IIIRD Eye' while imbuing it with the feeling of endless desire and a kind of nobility that is not consumed by it. I hope you enjoy the stunning visuals and story."
The teaser trailer features familiar faces such as Lupin the Third, Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa, Fujiko Mine, and Lupin's nemesis, Inspector Zenigata, and shows Lupin the Third and his gang aiming for a huge treasure hidden on a mysterious island that is not on the map. When the Lupin gang arrives at the island as if guided by the mysterious island, they are faced with the biggest challenge they have ever faced. At the end of the trailer, a shocking image of Lupin sinking into the water is shown.
A teaser visual was also released, depicting Lupin the Third running from a bullet hole as if challenging his fate. Daisuke Jigen, Fujiko Mine, and Goemon Ishikawa are also shown running after Lupin. The accompanying copy reads, "Let's settle this."
The new film will be the first 2D animated film in about 30 years since Monkey Punch's first directorial work, "Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive" (1996), and will be directed by Takeshi Koike, who has worked on the "Lupin the IIIrd" series. The catchphrase for the new film is "You still don't know the real Lupin the Third," and it will depict the "ultimate"Lupin the Third, which is the new work and the origin of the series.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Original work: Monkey Punch▽Director: Koike Takeshi▽Screenplay: Takahashi Yuya▽Music: James Shimoji▽Creative Advisor: Ishii Katsuhito▽Animation Production: Telecom Animation Film▽Produced and Written by: TMS Entertainment▽Distribution: TOHO NEXT
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Lupin the Third: Kanichi Kurita▽Daisuke Jigen: Akio Otsuka ▽Goemon Ishikawa: Daisuke Namikawa ▽Fujiko Mine: Miyuki Sawashiro ▽Inspector Zenigata: Koichi Yamadera
