While not unwieldy like Detective Conan in size, the many entries of Lupin III can be off-putting to those who are potentially interested in the series. However, of the different generation-spanning anime series out there, Lupin is actually pretty accessible.
Lupin III Watch Order
How to Watch Lupin the III in Order
The major thing to keep in mind when watching Lupin III is that everything is episodic and pretty self-contained. What you need to know about the plot generally stays within the different parts you are watching. What you need to know about the series is pretty much just who the characters are. If you picked one episode right in the middle, in many cases, it will be a perfectly open and shut story. This means if you wanted to start at Part IV because it has that newer animation, you can and you won’t really be missing much.
That being said, it is better to start at the beginning for a solid foundation. So the watch order for Lupin III, counting only the TV series, is as follows:
*Jigen’s Gravestone and Goemon’s Spray of Blood are not TV series, but included in this watch order anyway. They are skippable if you so choose.
- Lupin III Part I – This gives a good foundation on the characters, but is actually darker in the beginning compared to the rather overall playful nature of the franchise.
- Lupin III Part II – This is the long beast of the series at 155 episodes. It is perfectly fine to start here if Part I is hard to find or just too old for you. The comedic tone of the series is also more established in this series.
- Lupin III Part III – Widely overlooked because of the change in animation, unfortunately it lacks the standout episodes of Part II or even Part I.
- Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine – While the watch order is flexible, it is best to leave this until you have a good foundation on who the characters are. This series is essentially viewing Lupin from the outside as it follows Fujiko. It is also worth noting that this is much more dark and sexier than you have come to expect in the rest of the series.
- Lupin III: Jigen’s Gravestone – This OVA is a side story focusing exclusively on Jigen. It maintains a darker and more violent tone throughout it, but it is beautifully. It also ties into the finale of The Woman Called Fujiko Mine.
- Lupin III: Goemon Ishikawa’s Spray of Blood – Like Jigen’s Gravestone, but focuses on Goemon. It is similarly dark and well-animated. Does not really tie into the above series, but if we are doing character focused side stories that are actually good, mind as well watch it.
- Lupin III Part IV – Made with newer animation and newer everything, Part IV brought Lupin back into the public eye. It basically takes everything good about previous entries and perfects it.
- Lupin III Part V – Like Part IV, Part V is still great. It remains a love letter to the legacy that is Lupin. Even if you have never seen another part, you can still jump in here and have a great time.
- Lupin III Part VI – Well, look at that. Even more new Lupin. Chronologically follows Part V, but still self-contained.
- Lupin Zero – Timeline-wise this ONA following Lupin as a child comes first in a watch order as it is an origin story. Do I recommend watching it first? No. It is worth watching though.
What About The Lupin III Movies and OVAs?
It was originally my intention to make a Lupin chronological watch order, then I began rewatching it and watching some of the parts I hadn’t seen from back in the day. I then realized because it is such an episodic series, you can’t really do chronology. However, we can still list them out. Unlike the TV series, there is really no reason to watch them unless you want to, but all benefit from having general knowledge of the characters and the series.
Movies
- Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro – There are iconic moments when it comes to Lupin, and many come from this very famous movie. For many, this served as their entry point in Lupin.
- Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo – This portrays a darker sort of Lupin with a bit more violence than one is used to. It also has a really amazing villain, so that is worth the watch alone.
- Lupin III: Legend of the Gold of Babylon – This continues the art style from Part III and is kind of chaos in a very unfun sort of way.
- Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus – While it is a more basic plot, this one has some fun character antics.
- Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy – The different voice cast may throw you off, but still a great Goemon-focused movie.
- Lupin III: Dead or Alive – As the heist takes place during a political revolution, there is quite a bit of violence in this one.
- Lupin III Versus Detective Conan: The Movie – This is a natural pairing, but weirdly it is more fun for Detective Conan fans because it has tons of in-jokes. As a Lupin movie, it is actually rather boring.
OVAs
- Lupin III Episode 0 First Contact – If you wanted to pick a shorter OVA to introduce yourself to the series, this would be it. It highlights who all the important characters are, all while featuring the wildly escalating plot that you will come to know in Lupin.
- Lupin III: By Bye Lady Liberty – An earlier special that mixes silliness with a weirdly dark climax.
- Lupin III: The Hemmingway Papers – Has a plot kind of Like the Dead or Alive movie, but actually it was kind of boring.
- Lupin III: Napoleon’s Dictionary – A few good jokes that are ultimately undermined by poor animation.
- Lupin III: From Siberia With Love – While I loved the silly villains, the plot was nothing special.
- Lupin III: Crisis in Tokyo – If you enjoy Lupin for its comedy, then this is an absolute must.
- Lupin III: Walther P-38 – This is Lupin, but a different Lupin. This is a special with less levity and a more grounded Lupin. It’s not bad, just different.
- Lupin III: Record of Observations of the East – Another Page – Although newer, this one seems a bit lower budget in terms of animation.
- Lupin III: Voyage to Danger – A Zenigata-focused OVA for the most part. Depending on how you feel about the character will change how you feel about this.
- Lupin III: Dragon of Doom – A Goemon-focused story with some silly slapstick.
- Lupin III: The Pursuit of Harimao’s Treasure – The villain is a Neo-Nazi called Herr Mafroditte. >_>
- Lupin III: The Secret of Twilight Gemini – Overall, a very forgettable special, as I can’t remember much about it.
- Lupin III: Island of Assassins – A special that feels like they put as much effort into it as they do with the movies. Overall, really violent and really, really good.
- Lupin III: Alcatraz Connection – High on action and have some decent twists to them.
- Lupin III: Operation Return the Treasure – It is fun because of instead of the plot being a big heist, it is about returning treasure. It is a twist that opens up many opportunities for levity.
- Lupin III Blood Seal – Eternal Mermaid – While not a bad OVA, it does remain a bit more predictable than you would hope.
- Lupin III: The Columbus Files – Fujiko getting amnesia and Lupin trying to woo her is more fun than the actual plot.
- Lupin III: Missed by a Dollar – There is so much dialogue. How can so few of it be actual jokes?
- Lupin III: Stolen Lupin – Lupin gets stolen and he might also be a father. It leads to fun shenanigans.
- Lupin III: The Last Job – This seems like something you end Lupin on. It’s not, but it is the end for some of the classic voice actors.
- Lupin III: Princess of the Breeze – It’s like they were trying to reimagine The Castle of Cagliostro with newer animation, but the story just isn’t there.
- Lupin III: The Italian Game – I like the new Lupin animation, and this is more of that.
