Rupan Sansei: Otakara Henkyaku Dai-sakusen!!

The first part of this TV Special rocks. Everything is pure, fun Lupin, something we fans like to see. The interesting take here is on Lupin having to return stolen items from years ago and do it within 7 days. Not only that, but he has to prove it via a special digital camera. All of the major players have good roles with plenty to do. Further, there is some predictable, yet still humorous, events with Lupin escaping from Zenigata. I loved the running gag with the cute animals that corespond with these escapes.

Unfortunately, after Lupin returns the final item, the story almost comes to a complete halt. We are re-introduced to a female character who has a tie to the Trick Diamond, but she has very little to do. We are bored to death with some exposition on art, which comes into play later. Exposition is needed, but the writers don't pull it off well. In fact, I got the feeling that they didn't have enough story to fill the complete hour and a half, so they had to fill the time with something. Sadly, what they filled it with didn't do the trick.

There were a couple of interesting surprises, which I won't give a way, which made for a nice change. Unfortunately, some plot threads that were started from this were then dropped. Then to add insult to injury, something comes up which in effect reveals that everything Lupin did was really pointless. I'm not sure what happened to the writing in the 2nd half of the episode, but it sure lacked the fire and fun of of the first half. Then the final payoff ending up being ho-hum to me.

I would like to remark on the excellent art/animation of this TV Special. The quallity was up there with good OAVs or movies, which was very impressive to me. Good job to the artist and animators.

Bottom line: Great start followed by a sub-part 2nd-half makes for a special that just isn't worth a buy unless you have to have all things Lupin. Otherwise, it is worth a rent.

Last updated Monday, November 14 2005. Created Monday, July 28 2003.