LUPIN the Third ～峰不二子という女～
LUPIN the Third – MINE Fujiko to Iu Onna Episode 06
Lupin III: A Woman Called MINE Fujiko – 06

Fujiko is teaching at an exclusive, all-girls high school and is very popular with the young students, one of whom is also popular and who confesses her love for Fujiko, only to have Fujiko reject her with a passionate kiss. This is noticed by transfer student Isolde Brach, who also appears to be attracted to Fujiko and for whom Fujiko shows great interest, especially in Isolde’s pendent. The other girls get jealous of Isolde and punish her by cutting her hair. She flees to Fujiko’s residence, where Fujiko proceeds to seduce the girl to get what she wants. However, the girl turns out to be Oscar in drag, who’s there because he wants to nail her and Lupin for Zenigata as the thieves are after Isolde’s late father’s research. As such, he knocks her out and ties her to the bed, naked.

Oscar, as Isolde, sets his trap for Lupin, who takes the bait and comes in like a knight to save “her.” While “Isolde” tells Lupin about Fujiko, the gang of girls who’d assaulted Isolde show up with guns, forcing Lupin to flee with “Isolde,” who take Lupin to a greenhouse, where Oscar traps him. He makes a report to Zenigata, only to discover Fujiko has escaped and apparently has Zenigata captured and is torturing him. As such, Oscar gives Fujiko the combination to the locket to save Zenigata, only to discover later that Zenigata was never held as Lupin had not only escaped, but had previously helped Fujiko escape. Thus, Fujiko promises to share the loot with Lupin, and reveals that she had sex with Zenigata a second time, made an audio recording of it, and used clips of Zenigata saying things to fool Oscar.

Of the episodes so far, this one was probably my least favorite, though it did provide some intriguing clues about Fujiko and Oscar.

If it wasn’t clear already, it should be now that Fujiko will do anything, including having sex with underaged girls, to get what she wants. I put up the humorous image of Fujiko trying to sex Detective Conan, but what makes it funny is that after watching this anime series, you know it is true. Fujiko is clearly someone with no self respect, thus she does what she does.

It is also clear that the writers are slowly attempting to establish a notion that Fujiko is likely an abused, rich girl, thus giving Fujiko the excuse to justify her behavior today, and her lack of self respect.  I’m not a fan of the excuse route, especially since when one becomes an adult, one should take responsibility for ones actions.  Looking to the past to discover how one fell into whatever negative element as an adult (drinking problems, sex problems, abusive problems, etc.) is fine.  Using that knowledge to change course and get out of the trap is even better.  Using the past as an excuse to continue the ugliness of the present isn’t.

The butterfly symbolism was quite strong in this episode, not only with Fujiko apparently having mini flashbacks, but also with Oscar (as Isolde) seeing the butterfly around Fujiko at school, then seeing it crushed in a book by Fujiko.  I rather doubt that the Japanese symbology for butterfly (young maidens and marital bliss) are at work here.  Instead, the notion of the soul is likely part of the symbolism of the butterfly, specifically the Greek term psyche, which means both “butterfly” and “soul.” Psyche is also the name of the female human lover of the Greek god, Eros (aka: Cupid by the Romans).

As to Oscar, I wonder why he sees the butterfly around Fujiko and himself. I think it is pretty clear that he wants to jackhammer Zenigata’s arse, despite knowing that Zenigata is straight.  He’s obsessed with Fujiko because Fujiko banged Zenigata twice.  He’s clearly off his rocker, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the writers decide to explore his past more and give him some tragic element to explain his current behavior.

This apparent, unfolding tragedy would be fine in and of itself were it not for the exploitative aspects of the series. Fujiko’s nudity, sexual moanings, and deep kissing of a high school girl are couched in an artistic cloak, but serve only one purpose — cheap ratings scam.  However, because of the artistic cloak, otaku on both sides of the Pacific can “enjoy” the moments in the name of art.  It is a nice, tidy package, filled with smarm.  I expected Oscar to rape Fujiko, but I guess that was a bridge too far for the production team.

One thing that really stuck out with me is Fujiko’s partnering with Lupin at the end of the episode. She agrees to share the loot with Lupin, something that is most certainly a lie, but I doubt the series ever shows us if she did or not. If they did show her keeping her promise and sharing the loot with Lupin, it would make things a bit more interesting because if she keeps her word, then one never knows when she’s lying and when she’s telling the truth.

I am puzzled by why the girls that bullied “Isolde” suddenly started worshiping “her” and calling her “Isolde-sama” (a fact ignored by the translators, but hey, that’s not being lazy or anything). I don’t think they knew Oscar was in drag, so the sudden change of heart makes no sense to me other than the production team thought that high school girls with guns were cool, and rich ojousama’s bowing to a crossdresser was funny.

Hopefully, Goemon or Jigen show up again soon to show Lupin forming his gang as episodes sometimes feel amiss without those two, even if this is supposed to be featuring Fujiko.