Before we start a few words concerning my relationship with the Lupin franchise: I havent yet dug in any series since the episodic format doesnt easily appeal to me. Instead I picked the option of movies and specials. My impressions remain mixed as some works simply manage to draw out more qualities of the franchises kooky charm. Nonetheless a major strength is the lack of an overarching plot excluding the trilogy of movies related to the Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna series one can watch in any order they desire. n to the review 1. Visual production... https://images.squarespacecdn.com/content/v1/5d4983e5ef336f0001a1240f/1565179872774OYH9J083UN5DE4AOO0ZY/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kMnHhJNPIijT9bX6xRKCQkUqsxRUqqbr1mOJYKfIPR7LoDQ9mXPOjoJoqy81S2I8NN4V1vUb5AoIIIbLZhVYxCRW4BPu10St3TBAUQYVKcoYvPtdnKCOZGzgOSyhCVeswZqDZmQ4WRl0SJ8vQqBE1EMhdDU3QRzQdUMi8Ya85/tumthdthdthmo11280.png Rivaling the quality of Cagliostro this movie had nothing to envy. Its strongest aspect is the backgrounds: whether a cityscape in the USA the carnival in Rio de Janeiro or a vivid rainforest by the Amazon River they are brim with details. Also the palette of colors is smooth to the eye and naturallooking. Animation is consistent and smooth for both stunts and fights. Among my favourite sequences occur while a structure collapses with dutiful care in depicting the crumbling building and the people falling or running away from the debris. Further impressing was the clever cinematography in certain sequences. An example is a skyscraper elevator scene: as it ascends the viewer is treated to an outside view of an part of the cityscape steadily revealing more and more layers of city blocks. 2. Audio production... The music fits with the adventurous and oldschool feel of Lupin III featuring upbeat jazz soundtracks. The ending song is notable as a soothing ballad fitting contrasting well with the rest of the OST. The sound direction is decent with both sound effects and voice acting maintaining a consistent quality to them. 3. Story and characters... Despite its start the plot takes more of an action thriller approach shown by including themes of political conspiracy and terrorism. After the kidnapping occurs the gang is going backandforth to the USA and Brazil in order to uncover the conspiracy and save the victim overcoming obstacle after obstacle. Transitions between settings and scenes were glued together so well that I lost track of time at times. As for the conclusion? Fitting for a typical Lupin work but also delivered a great relief after the previously intense thriller. https://thedrunkenodyssey.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/lupin41.jpg There is not much to say for the main cast of whom Zenigata was of particular interest. We are treated to two neat facets of his personality: his occasional inventiveness and insight on how much he values his archrival. The villains are fitting for their roles as crafty and ruthless antagonists willing to use any means. My only characterrelated complaint is about an introduction in the middle a certain character related to Lupin is introduced hastily and disposed in a way that makes his relationship with Lupin fall flat.