Lupin the 3rd: Part II 20
Lupin III Part 2 20
ルパン三世 – 新シリーズ Ep. 20
Lupin Sansei Shin Series
Lupin III New Series

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

In a Nazi Germany-like country, a short man in a wig, looking like Hitler makes an anti-ugly people speech to a massive crowd. Lupin uses the moment to steal a ruby from “Hatler” (Hutler), but reveals the man’s toupee as a result. Hatler has Hess deploy the army against Lupin’s gang. Lupin provides cover to allow Jigen and Goemon to escape with Fujiko. Lupin gets hit in the arm by a bullet. Fujiko returns with a sub-machine gun and the two flee to an abandoned castle.

Zenigata gets escorted to the besieged castle by the military. Hess gives Zenigata one chance to get Lupin. Zenigata takes four of Hess’s best troops, but Fujiko and Lupin outwit them. As such, Hess sends in special forces. At the same time, Lupin thinks he has a deal with Zenigata to allow Fujiko to be taken back to Japan while Lupin gives himself to Hess’s army and death.

Fujiko gets attacked, so she and Lupin manage to kill the special force troops. Hess brings in tanks and gives Lupin until dawn. Fujiko and Lupin decide to go down fighting. At dawn, the tanks open fire. Lupin has two bullets remaining, one for Fujiko and one for him. Before he can carry out their suicide, Goemon and Jigen arrive on (hot air) balloon to rescue them. Later, Fujiko wheels Lupin outside the hospital where he spoils her good mood.

Thoughts/Review

I guess the Japanese writers of Lupin the 3rd: Part II 20 wanted to continue the parody train as they did parody scenes of the classic movie, The Great Dictator. Granted, they did things in an almost Warner Brothers way with the midget Hutler. He acted like Yosemite Sam at times, only with a Hitler mustache.

Parody aside, Zenigata has almost nothing to do in the episode as Hess assumes most of the inspectors role. Jigen and Goemon are barely in the episode, only showing up at the end for the forced, deus ex machina ending.

The only element of note is the romantic overtures between Fujiko and Lupin. This episode highlights that they really do care a lot for each other. Except for the usual gag of Lupin trying to make a sexual move on Fujiko at the end of the episode, things between the two are played straight and genuine. To be honest, the only thing that would have made their time together better would have been a kiss before the rope from Jigen and Goemon dropped.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In the end, Lupin the 3rd: Part II 20 is part parody, part Looney Tunes, and part “until death do us part” romantic themes. That last element is what makes the episode worth watching.