A new key visual has been unveiled for the upcoming Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata to Futari no Lupin anime, which features Inspector Zenigata and the two Lupins. The prequel anime will begin streaming on several Japanese streaming services on June 20, 2025, followed by a TV broadcast premiere on June 22, 2025.
The production staff for the prequel anime retains the key staff for the Lupin the IIIrd The Movie: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku anime film, which includes Takeshi Koike (Redline) as director, Yuya Takahashi (Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray) as screenwriter, James Shimoji (Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, and Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko’s Lie) as music composer, and Katsuhito Ishii (Redline character and machine designer et al., Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen’s Gravestone, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon’s Blood Spray, and Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko’s Lie) as creative advisor. Telecom Animation Film is in charge of the animation production.
Meanwhile, the anime’s voice cast includes:
- • Kanichi Kurita as Lupin the IIIrd
- • Akio Otsuka as Daisuke Jigen
- • Daisuke Namikawa as Goemon Ishikawa
- • Miyuki Sawashiro as Fujiko Mine
- • Koichi Yamadera as Zenigata
- • Kenyu Horiuchi as Fake Lupin
Fujimi no Ketsuzoku will premiere shortly after Zenigata to Futari no Lupin on June 27, 2025 in Japan. The new film, which is the latest in the Lupin the IIIrd line of entries that are directed by Koike, is being advertised as being the first 2D Lupin III anime film in 30 years.
The Lupin III franchise, which features the exploits of the master thief Lupin III, began with the manga series by Monkey Punch on August 10, 1967. The first anime series adaptation aired in 1971.
The series has inspired multiple other manga series and anime entries, with the latter including films, OVAs, crossovers, and a 3DCG movie. One of the earliest Lupin III anime films was The Castle of Cagliostro, which was directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
The premise of Zenigata to Futari no Lupin is a prequel to Fujimi no Ketsuzoku and involves a terrorist bombing that leads Zenigata to a confrontation with the fake Lupin.
