Interview with Kanichi Kurita, Koichi Yamadera and Kenyu Horiuchi on "LUPIN THE IIIRD Zenigata and the Two Lupins"

The new film in the popular anime series "Lupin the Lupin the Third," based on the manga by Monkey Punch, "LUPIN THE IIIRD Zenigata and the Two Lupins," will be released on Prime Video and other video streaming services from June 20th. Following "Gravestone of Daisuke Jigen," "Goemon Ishikawa's Blood Spray," and "Fujiko Mine's Lie," the film is directed by Takeshi Koike and is a prequel to the completely new animated film "LUPIN THE IIIRD THE MOVIE: Immortal Bloodline," which will be released on June 27th. It is a hard-hitting action film in which Lupin the Third and Inspector Zenigata face off against a mysterious "fake Lupin," and Kenyu Horiuchi is also making waves by playing the role of the "fake Lupin." We spoke to Kanichi Kurita, who plays Lupin the Third, Koichi Yamadera, who plays Inspector Zenigata, and Horiuchi, who plays the fake Lupin, about their thoughts on "Lupin the Third" and Zenigata, and about what went on behind the scenes at the recording studios.

◇ Concerns about playing the fake Lupin role

--This is Horiuchi's first appearance as a main character in "Lupin the Third."

In Horiuchi-san's script, Fujiko Mine has a line that says to the fake Lupin, "Is that voice Lupin?" I think Yama-chan knows me well, but I'm clumsy... It was like a dream to be able to appear in "Lupin," but I was nervous. When I got the OK at the beginning, I wasn't as happy as I was. I think it took 50 takes.

Yamadera-san, you're kidding. I think it's about 15 (laughs).

I had worked with Kurita and Kenyu a while ago, so I was looking forward to seeing how they would play the fake Lupin.

Horiuchi-san, it really feels like a dream. I've always wanted to be in it. It's Lupin after all. Even though there's a "fake" in it.

Yamadera-san, in Director Koike's series, we finally have an episode about Zenigata! He certainly plays an active role, but the impression of Lupin and the fake Lupin is still very strong.

Horiuchi-san's determination to catch Zenigata's Lupin is incredible. I got totally hooked.

Director Kurita and Director Koike have a great sense of style. The drawings are amazing, and it didn't feel like I was watching an anime.

Mr. Horiuchi is cool from the opening. The music is like the beginning of a Western movie! The images are very realistic.

◇I've never known Kenyu like this before!

-What is your impression of the fake Lupin played by Horiuchi-san?

I couldn't hear Kurita-san and Ken'yu-san. Is Ken'yu-san really like this?

When I read Yamadera-san's script, I wondered how he would act this? Who would act it and how? If it were me, I thought it would be very difficult. I've been acting with Kenyu-san for a long time, and at one time we were a duo called "Hocchan Yamachan" (laughs). He's the funniest person in the industry. Especially at drinking parties (laughs). He has a beautiful voice, and you know it's Kenyu-san when you hear it. However, this time I didn't know it was Kenyu-san, and thought he'd been replaced (laughs). It was very creepy and scary. Even though we've known each other for a long time, I've never known Kenyu-san like this before. It was thrilling.

It was all down to the efforts of Kurita and Ken'yu and the determination of Shimizu (sound director Shimizu Hiroshi).

Yamadera: Shimizu's obsession is like Zenigata's pursuit of Lupin.

I thought people would say that Horiuchi-san's performance was not good at all...

Yamadera-san, I won't say that! Kenyu-san is a representative of the industry, and when he's there, the atmosphere becomes lively. But the dark side of Kenyu-san came out, and it was scary.

There is something strangely scary about Mr. Kurita the bomber.

I don't know what Yamadera-san is thinking.

Horiuchi-san and Shimizu-san have a lot of determination. That's why I worked hard without getting discouraged. I don't mind taking multiple takes because I want to make something good. I'm sorry if I'm just saying this myself, but I was a little happy. Because it's this group of people.

◇Kanichi Kurita's pre-recording comedy skit?

--A fake Lupin appears in the story, but have you ever met someone who looks like you?

Mr. Kurita and Yama-chan, you have a voice actor who imitates you, right?

Mr. Yamadera, this is Takeuchi (Shunsuke).

Kurita-san, I think things will be okay even if Yama-chan is gone (laughs).

We need to get rid of Yamadera-san quickly (laughs).

I'm sure Mr. Kurita and Mr. Ken'o won't imitate you, right?

When Horiuchi-san and Yama-chan were young, they used to imitate me. And the impersonator would say, "Give me a job!" (laughs).

Yamadera-san and Kenyu-san are very popular (laughs). They have a great spirit of service.

I had worked with Horiuchi-san and Kurita-san when I became a regular in the seventh season of a different show, and it was impressive to see the cast members do a mini skit before the recording to liven things up. They make the guests happy. It's amazing. It was Kurita-san who directed that skit every time.

Mr. Kurita: I didn't know much about the world of voice acting, so I was surprised when the test started suddenly. I thought it would be better to laugh and relax before starting, so I started the comedy skit.

Yamadera-san, this is the first time in the history of dubbing, I've never heard of it before. It's easy for guests to join in, isn't it? It wasn't done on the "Lupin" set though.

◇I have never seen this coin shape before.

-What is your impression of Zenigata, played by Yamadera-san?

Although Mr. Kurita, Mr. Naya (Goro), and Mr. Yamada (Yasuo) have created a stylish and humorous world, Director Koike's "Lupin" is the cool and stylish Koichi Yamadera. Zenigata is now Koichi Yamadera, and I think it's good to have a Zenigata that is different from Mr. Naya.

Horiuchi: I agree. Yama-chan of course has respect for the previous "Lupin" series, but I felt Yama-chan's Zenigata. It was very melancholic and sad. I had never seen this Zenigata before... and I was moved once again.

Thank you Yamadera-san !

--The relationship between Lupin and Zenigata is also carefully depicted in "Zenigata and the Two Lupins."

Yamadera-san's work is hard-boiled and has no comedy elements, so Zenigata's obsession with Lupin and his sense of justice are portrayed more strongly. There is a scene where Lupin and Zenigata talk about "justice," which left a strong impression on me. Takashi Yanase of "Anpanman," said, "Justice can be reversed." Even in war, if you change your perspective, you can't tell which side is just. What is justice? I think there are some similarities with what Lupin is saying.

There are also parts where you can feel the affection between Lupin and Zenigata. You can see that they absolutely won't let anyone else catch them. It really touched my heart. I'm intrigued by all the lines he says.

Mr. Kurita, Lupin doesn't call him "Dad" or "Fujiko-chan". Zenigata and Lupin help each other, but they don't become friends, which depicts a relationship that is typical of a man's romance.

Each of you has your own aesthetic sense, and that aesthetic is portrayed very clearly in Director Koike's works.

Director Kurita and Director Koike are really amazing. They have an extraordinary attention to detail. They keep drawing all the time. It's like they're becoming like a sage (laughs). Even in the final scene of the fake Lupin, I wonder how they can create such a picture... It's a really good work.

Yamadera: It's an unpredictable story, and above all, Zenigata's obsession is stronger and more intense, and the work is full of love for Lupin. Zenigata can't do without Lupin. This is clearly depicted, so you can feel Zenigata's love for Lupin.

I'm curious to see what happens next for Horiuchi . What happens when he goes to the island? It seems like the story will get even deeper.