Lupin the 3rd: Part 1 20
ルパン三世
Lupin III Episode 20

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

A string of high profile robberies happen across Japan, all attributed to the “real” Lupin. Zenigata is frustrated, as is Lupin. He manages to secretly tag along as the thieves escape to an island in Wakamatsu Bay. The thieves discover him, and Lupin discovers that the island is full of thieves, going back generations. Despite using Lupin’s name, the islanders don’t recognize him.

The islanders put him through a survival test for thieving, using large boulders. Lupin survives, so they throw him in their jail cell, below the village shrine. Lupin cons his guards into thinking he committed suicide and escapes. He makes his way to the one residence, where Lupin discovers that the villagers live by rules from a book, written by his grandfather.

Meanwhile, Zenigata discovers a clue that leads him to the island.  The islanders flip the insides of their huts from modern and luxurious to primitive and old. Zenigata shows the villagers Lupin’s photo. They are shocked to learn they had Lupin, but then discover he escaped. Zenigata can’t find Lupin, but feels he’s on the island. As such, he gets permission to spend the night.

Lupin pays him a visit to reveal the truth. After putting Zenigata aside for a bit, Lupin disguises himself as Zenigata and manages to get the book. Lupin causes the villagers to go on a wild goose chase. However, Lupin cannot escape as the island is swarmed by cop boats. The villagers return to get Lupin, but he escapes using two of their captive, giant birds.

Thoughts/Review

Well, Lupin the 3rd: Part 1 20 was a pretty ludicrous, even by the standards of this franchise.

Ludicrous Nonsense

The Lupin III franchise is known for its outlandish elements. As such, Lupin can drive his car in impossible ways, even if it is sliced in half. Other laws of physics are often bent. Goemon can slice through anything (unless the plot says otherwise). Lupin can perfectly disguise himself and anyone. For the most part, I accept these crazy things.

However, in Lupin the 3rd: Part 1 20, the writers take things to a whole new level. It was already beyond a stretch for Lupin to cling to the bottom of the thieves’ car. And a similar stretch for Lupin to be hauled in a barrel by boat and the folks in the boat didn’t even notice. I thinking, “How would you not notice the massive drag?”

Next, for a village who worship Lupin’s grandfather, and used the Lupin III name (and likeness in terms of clothing) to do their crimes, how could they not know Lupin III?

Finally, the episode had the air of an old, cheesy, Scooby-Doo outing from the 70s. The folks in the thief village mostly look and dress like peasants from a bygone era. Their huts appear the same. And yet inside, the huts are luxurious and modern. But when trouble comes, well, the interior (including walls) can be flipped to reveal the shoddy, poor, historic interiors. That was beyond the pale for me and removed me from the episode.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Let me wrap up my review of Lupin the 3rd: Part 1 20 with some final thoughts.

• I’m stunned this was based off an actual manga chapter from Monkey Punch. Not sure what kind of liberties were taken with the anime adaptation.
• Shockingly, Lupin is flying solo (sans Zenigata) in this episode. Often, Fujiko or Goemon might get left on the shelf. But I’m hard pressed to remember Jigen getting completely shelved.

In the end, Lupin the 3rd: Part 1 20 is just a pile of ludicrous nonsense. Shame really, ’cause an island dedicated to worshiping Lupin’s grandfather could have made an interesting tale.