Lupin the 3rd - The World's Most Wanted (TV Series, Vol. 1)

Rating:
Summary: Best anime of all time! (Well, in my opinion.)
Review: About five years ago I ordered fansubs (fan subtitled copies of anime not liscensed in the U.S., usually a good way to find out about lesser-known series) from someone who put the Lupin III pilot film onto one of my tapes. I had no idea what the show was or what it was about, but after watching the pilot I was instantly hooked. I found some episodes of the first and second series and watched those. This anime isn't like your typical anime, it's heavily influenced by Western comic books, movies and pop culture, and the influence shows. The creator of the Lupin III comic book (from which the tv series and movies were adapted from), Monkey Punch, is a self-proclaimed fan of the original 1960's Mad Magazine (particularly the art style of Mort Drucker), and one can also sense a hint of James Bond, Pink Panther and even some of the campy 60's Batman. Also, people spoiled by the well-produced and slick animation style of more recent series like Cowboy Bebop or Trigun might be disappointed in the vintage, rought-around-the-edges feel of the animation in this series. Also, unlike other anime, this show is not to be taken completely seriously. It does have its serious moments (as fans of the first series that debuted five years before this version will note) but on the whole the show is pure fun, full of mad scientists, improbable plots and car chases, and crazy scenarios. If you are looking for an anime that's weird, funny and has some really cool characters, then Lupin III is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Lupin is freakin hilarious
Review: I first saw this show on Cartoon network and later found it it was from a long time ago, about 23 years worth and had a huge following. One day I am browsing around and I picked this up and was very happy with the content. THe only downfall with this dvd is no extras worthwhile, but the voice matching is great. This show's animation is dated for sure, but holds its own for the intentions. This four gang team is hilarious and I will pick up all the volumes. Lupin just has this wit, personality, cunningness, smart, and hilarious persoanility that you can not help but like the guy. The other characters around him balance eerything else out and the show has this great vibe to it. This show is as old as me and still holds its own as a series, it was ahead of its time. Pick this up for a anime buff, be warned they have sexual content in here with some dirty jokes thrown inso no kids.

Rating:
Summary: Lupin is freakin hilarious
Review: I first saw this show on Cartoon network and later found it it was from a long time ago, about 23 years worth and had a huge following. One day I am browsing around and I picked this up and was very happy with the content. THe only downfall with this dvd is no extras worthwhile, but the voice matching is great. This show's animation is dated for sure, but holds its own for the intentions. This four gang team is hilarious and I will pick up all the volumes. Lupin just has this wit, personality, cunningness, smart, and hilarious persoanility that you can not help but like the guy. The other characters around him balance eerything else out and the show has this great vibe to it. This show is as old as me and still holds its own as a series, it was ahead of its time. Pick this up for a anime buff, be warned they have sexual content in here with some dirty jokes thrown inso no kids.

Rating:
Summary: Japan's most beloved criminal arrives stateside!
Review: I love the whimsical, fun adventures of Lupin III. The show strikes a nice balance between action, drama, and comedy. The drawing style is very quaint too... it just basically indicates right off the bat that you're gonna have a rollicking good time watching the show.

The English dub is very fresh and fun to listen to. Some updated cultural references are thrown in to make the show not so much dated (the show is supposed to be set in the 1970s), but it doesn't bother most people, especially me. For those that like to listen to the original Japanese with the English subtitles, well, hopefully you know some good Japanese, because the subtitles look like they were translated into simplified English. I think some of the Japanese nuances may have been lost in the English subtitles. That's probably the only drawback to this DVD.

If you're into chases all over the world, some wild action, and some really funny stuff, you can't go wrong with Lupin III.

Rating:
Summary: Great Show- Buy it now!
Review: I was introduced to this anime, like so many others, through Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block, and saw a few similarites between Lupin and I. So, I bought the DVD, and I must say, this is one of the best animes I think I've ever seen. It holds up well considering it was made in the 70's, and the dubbing is great. The only problem are the Subtitles...people who like watching animes in their original Japanese form will be dissapointed because the subtitles...

Rating:
Summary: a true classic!
Review: I was very, very surprised to learn that Lupin the 3rd would finally be released on dvd. This is probably one of them most famousgrop of characters anywhere in comics.movies/etc--who hasn't felt the urge to be lupin running from the law, or know of someone who fits the bll as Zenigata, Jgen, Goeman, and yes even Fujiko lol.A real keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Great series, so-so DVD...
Review: If you only know Lupin III through Miyazaki Hayao's classic "Castle of Cagliostro," you may be in for a shock. These episodes, taken from the '73 season of the series, are closer to the bawdy, go-for-broke spirit of the classic manga by Monkey Punch. And fans of Cowboy Bebop will undoubtedly notice a more than passing similarity between Lupin, Jigen and Fujiko, and Spike Spiegel, Jet Black and Faye Valentine. (Indeed, CB's title sequence is virtually a rip-off of the opening titles of Lupin's later seasons.)

The good news: The DVD contains a generous six episodes, all of which are presented in fresh transfers with clean picture and sparkling sound.

The not-so-good news is that the subtitles are absolutely wretched. Japanese is so different from English, so reliant on context and subtleties, that it must be pretty much broken down and reconstituted into an English equivalent in order to get its humor and characterization across. Unfortunately, Pioneer didn't bother to do anything more than a cursory literal translation. As a result the dialogue is flat as a pancake, completely lacking in characterization, or humor, or any of the zip and snappy wisecracking of the original. At times it's even ungrammatical ("If the police stops us, we're done for.") and barely more coherent than a Hong Kong [copy].

While the English dub is better in this respect, those of us who prefer the talent of the original Japanese voice actors are in for a joyless experience. As a result, I won't be buying any further volumes of this series. A real pity.

Rating:
Summary: Classic anime!
Review: Like many of the other reviewers here,I was introduced to Lupin &
company through the anime section of adult swim.I simply loved the charm of the show;the chemistry is all there.Lupin (the gentleman thief) and his wit,Jigen(the marksman) and his dry humor,Fujiko(the femme fatale) and her teasing alure and also Goemon (the samurai) and his fortune cookie-like messages of wisdom."The oak is proud like a man,but the blade is sharp like a woman!"Oh,and let's not forget the obsessive,zany Inspector Ziginata,whose attempts to catch Lupin are always in vain."I'LL GET YOU LUPIN!!"The show may seem a bit simple,and yes the drawings and color a bit dated(it was created in the early 70's),but like Speed Racer(although a bit more naughty!)this classic anime just has that special something that keeps you hooked!

Now for the dvd itself,I was pleased with the voice acting and the subtitle options;I personally watch it in english,as it's aired on adult swim.I'm almost positive that the english voice actress for Fujiko is the same one that does Faye Valentine on Cowboy Bebop and Suzuka on Outlaw Star!(compare them and listen for yourself) Speaking of Miss Fujiko,you get to see ALOT more of her on this dvd if you know what I mean!So no kids...
Yes,the "extras" where pretty lame,but I was just happy to have a nice collection of Lupin to watch whenever I want!If nothing else,I wished Pioneer would have gotten rid of those flimsy extras and instead added another three episodes!

In the end I was happy with my purcahse,and will buy other volumes to watch Lupin and his friends go on all sorts of gold heisting,tomb raiding,bank robbing adventures!

Rating:
Summary: Great show!
Review: This dvd contains the Lupin III (Lupin the 3rd) episodes shown on the adult swim block on cartoon network. It has quite a few eps for a dvd and it has extras too! I think that Lupin III is a great anime, and if you like action, comedy, and women this is the anime for you!! ...

Hope this helps ya! -vega