Peps' Anime Wrap-up: Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna

image from MyAnimeList
There was a lot of anticipation among anime fans when it was announced that the 2012 spring anime season will include the title Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna.

The latest in the Lupin the Third franchise was very much welcomed by audiences, especially since it allowed everyone to once again enjoy the famous caper and action themed series.

Aside from the horrendous live action adaptation made by a local network a few years ago, I have fond memories of the series, even if it was only recently that I realized that each season of Lupin III was marked by a different colored jacket.  And that the different colors also indicated a different tone in storytelling.

Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna featured the thief once again wearing the green jacket from the series' first season.  Yet, this time, the latest in the franchise focuses on the heroine, femme fatale and Lupin's main love interest Mine Fujiko.

The beginning of  Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna or The Woman Called Mine Fujiko marks the first meeting of Fujiko and Arsene Lupin III, the thief known for announcing what he will be stealing by sending a calling card to whoever he plans to steal from.  At the end of that meeting, he leaves a mark on Fujiko's leg, declaring that he will steal her.  What follows are the various heists pulled off by Fujiko.  In various episodes, Fujiko meets the different characters of the franchise, such as marksman Jigen Daisuke, samurai Ishikawa Goemon XIII and Inspector Zenigata Koichi.  Unbeknownst to Fujiko, all of the heists that she does and the people that she meets are orchestrated by a mysterious presence, Count Luis Yu Almeida, who is determined to make Fujiko remember her troubled past.

Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna is a far cry from the series that you probably saw as a child, especially if the season you watched back then featured Lupin wearing the pink jacket.  This one is a showcase of serious, dark and sexual themes, so I wouldn't suggest that you recommend this to kids that you want to educate about the exploits of Lupin III.

image from aisle-h
Taking cue from its central character and her femme fatale persona, Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna actually features  partial nudity, with Fujiko in various states of undress, especially when the heist calls for a seduction.  Also, she never hesitates in using sex as a weapon when needed, which includes having loud intercourse with Inspector Zenigata to help her get off the hook.  All of the men feel an attraction towards Fujiko, with Goemon even calling her his girlfriend.  The only one immune to the attraction is Zenigata's lieutenant Oscar, who harbors feelings for his superior that far surpasses the bromance levels.

The level of danger is also high in the season, with Fujiko and the characters subjected to various near death experiences.  The stakes are incrementally raised the more they find out about Fujiko's past.  The series packs a punch in terms of action, whether the characters are on the run, or are in the midst of a shoot out with the enemies or the police.  Some of the more memorable action sequences in the series include Lupin and Daisuke fighting a masked man on a moving rollercoaster, and an earlier adventure involving the two men trying to survive a series of death traps in an Egyptian pyramid.  The best action scene, though, has to go to the epic fight between Daisuke, with a gun, and Goemon, with his katana.  I couldn't help but fangirl out when Daisuke's awesome shooting of three bullets was met with Goemon's equally awesome slashing of the projectiles.

image from MyAnimeList
Aside from the sexual nature and danger featured in the season, there is one other reason why it's meant for a more mature audience.  As the storytelling progresses and Fujiko's past is revealed in parts, the audience is witness to some pretty disturbing scenes.  Men wearing owl masks would subject Fujiko to various experiments, the nature of which allude to the most traumatizing experiences.  Every horrifying memory is punctuated by a nightmarish quality that will make you think that the owl will not be your favorite animal for quite some time.

Whether you're a fan of the Lupin III series or not, or whether you've actually seen the previous seasons or not, there's a lot to like in Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna.  The central and supporting characters, as well as their chemistry, are interesting, and the mystery of Fujiko's past is a compelling driving force of the series. 

Those who are fans of the series will find it a great treat, while those who are new to it won't have to start with the older seasons, since Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna is actually a prequel and serves as a great introduction to the world of Lupin III.

You just have to be prepared to see a lot of breasts.

Happy viewing!!

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