The
legendary Lupin III franchise has
revealed a new official trailer for its upcoming film
titled Lupin the IIIrd: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku (Bloodborne) ,
which marks the return of the classic 2D style in a feature-length format
, something not seen since Lupin III: Dead or Alive in 1996.
The trailer
also introduces two new key characters who will be joining the
story:
- Ainosuke Kataoka as Muomu ,
an immortal man.
- Aoi Morikawa as Sarifa ,
a mysterious young woman in Muomu's service.
A luxury
creative team returns for this installment
The film
will be directed by Takeshi Koike , recognized for his work on
previous titles in the franchise such as Jigen's Gravestone and Fujiko
Mine's Lie . The script will once again be written by Yūya
Takahashi , and the music will be composed by James Shimoji .
Additionally, Katsuhito Ishii returns as creative advisor.
Rock
band B'z will perform the title track, titled The
IIIRD Eye , reinforcing the intense and stylized tone of the
production.
Release
date and story details
The
Japanese theatrical release is scheduled for June 27, 2025. The
story will follow Lupin and his team in search of hidden
treasure on an unnamed island, where they will cross paths with dangers
involving immortal blood secrets and unexpected enemies.
Previous
spin-off starring Zenigata
As a
prelude to this new film, a web-based anime titled Lupin the IIIrd:
Zenigata to Futari no Lupin (Zenigata and the Two Lupins) will
premiere , which will be released on Japanese platforms on June 20,
2025 .
This
spin-off will center its story on Inspector Zenigata , Lupin's
eternal pursuer and occasional ally. It all begins with a terrorist
attack at an airport in the fictional " Roviet Union ,"
where Lupin is singled out as the prime suspect. However, things take an
unexpected turn when Zenigata discovers he could be facing more than
one Lupin .
Lupin
III: a franchise that remains relevant
Since
its debut, the Lupin III saga has managed to reinvent itself through multiple formats.
Although other films such as Lupin III vs. Cat's Eye (2023)
and Lupin III THE FIRST (2019) have been recently released,
this new installment marks a long-awaited return to the traditional 2D
feature film format .
With a
story packed with action, intrigue, and iconic characters ,
everything points to Lupin the Third: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku becoming
one of the most notable releases of the year for fans of classic and
contemporary anime.
