Two Lupins is getting an Italian home vid release. https://bsky.app/profile/lupincentral.com/post/3mfakeodmd22v
Spoilers Koike Movies 2025 Thread
Posts using this prefix WILL spoil plots. Reader beware.
- Pronouns
- She/her
The Immortal Bloodline review for UK Anime Network (technically contains a spoiler though it's one most people correctly guessed from the trailers)
While I completely understand the common criticisms of the movie, it's nice to see a more positive review - I largely agree with the author's consensus and comment that Koike clearly gets Lupin despite the movie's flaws. TIBL really is a bittersweet swan song for Telecom
While I completely understand the common criticisms of the movie, it's nice to see a more positive review - I largely agree with the author's consensus and comment that Koike clearly gets Lupin despite the movie's flaws. TIBL really is a bittersweet swan song for Telecom
Looks like the two Lupins is finally on the U.S. Prime. https://bsky.app/profile/lupincentral.com/post/3mg4aanxyvk2n
i really want to hear the english dub
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The dub is so damn good. Alan Lee did really well as Fake Lupin to contrast with Keith. https://bsky.app/profile/moxsox17.bsky.social/post/3mg6v4wyync2x
Yeah I did enjoy as a whole the dub but I had two minor nitpicks.
In the Japanese sub Zenigata remarks that the cigarettes Lupin tossed him were actually the evidence tape. In the english dub he tells Lupin he should be giving him the evidence tape instead of cigarettes changing the meaning completely. This other nitpick is more emblematic of the Koike dubs as a whole but they don't really have as much fun with the source material. I mean we all associate the Epcar dubs with abridged level goofiness but even some of the funimation stuff like The Columbus Files know when to cut loose. This also applies to the Fake Lupin. I think Alan Lee did an excellent job and the darker even gritter voice for Lupin is incredibly strong for the experience (though nothing beats the japanese delivery of HEHE BOOM). But considering that Lupin is already more serious in the Koike stuff I would have loved for them to give him a more Tony Oliver type voice and have him spitting out lines that could have come from the part 2 dub. I mean considering how his whole thing is chaos and getting rid of boredom and his chaotic love for bombs having a more comedic unhinged clone would have really worked. I mean Richard Epcar was on the cast i'm sure they could have asked him to contribute a line or two to the new script. I could very well be wrong however and I don't think his performance or any of the cast's performance was anything less than great. Overall it's great and I cannot wait to finally experience Immortal Bloodline when that comes out on digital.
Looks like the availability of Immortal Bloodline is uncertain, now. 
https://bsky.app/profile/tabbiewolf.bluestripedboxers.com/post/3mhci7zyu6s2j
https://bsky.app/profile/tabbiewolf.bluestripedboxers.com/post/3mhci7zyu6s2j
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Hopefully, they will rerelease it when the Immortal Bloodline supposedly releases next weekLooks like the availability of Immortal Bloodline is uncertain, now.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The Immortal Bloodline WILL release Monday at 9 pm PDT on Prime! About time! (But still unsure about the Two Lupins tho)
This one says 3/24. https://bsky.app/profile/tabbiewolf.bluestripedboxers.com/post/3mhq3iqmvac2u
Edit: I checked Prime, and Zenigata is back for rent and purchase.
Edit: I checked Prime, and Zenigata is back for rent and purchase.
Last edited:
- Pronouns
- he/they
I'm up at an ungodly hour and can't sleep and remembered this thread existed so I'm sharing my belated impressions...
I actually saw Immortal Bloodline when it (sadly, very briefly) hit US theaters in January. I honestly tried to keep my expectations low and I came out of the theater loving it. Loving it does not equate to it being the best entry in the Lupin franchise by any means though, haha. Then I bought it on digital when it released (shortly before I finally bit the bullet on joining the forums) and gave it another rewatch and honestly, I still like it a lot. I did backread this thread a little so I might have some thoughts about things people have already brought up before, but I hope I won't be too repetitive.
I have seen some more casual fans questioning what the hell they just watched when they were expecting something more along the lines of Cagliostro or The First... which is unfortunate. I'll say, I'm not going into Koike's Lupin expecting a well-plotted story or a family-friendly classic. I am going into it expecting a lot of men getting manhandled by freak cyborg-assassins. And I got that and it was pretty awesome.
It's also unfortunate to hear about the behind-the-scenes production troubles with the final two films. Seems like they did the best with what they had, and it was still exciting to see the end of something that's been in the works for a little over a decade.
Some other stray, unorganized thoughts (and spoilers!):
I actually saw Immortal Bloodline when it (sadly, very briefly) hit US theaters in January. I honestly tried to keep my expectations low and I came out of the theater loving it. Loving it does not equate to it being the best entry in the Lupin franchise by any means though, haha. Then I bought it on digital when it released (shortly before I finally bit the bullet on joining the forums) and gave it another rewatch and honestly, I still like it a lot. I did backread this thread a little so I might have some thoughts about things people have already brought up before, but I hope I won't be too repetitive.
I have seen some more casual fans questioning what the hell they just watched when they were expecting something more along the lines of Cagliostro or The First... which is unfortunate. I'll say, I'm not going into Koike's Lupin expecting a well-plotted story or a family-friendly classic. I am going into it expecting a lot of men getting manhandled by freak cyborg-assassins. And I got that and it was pretty awesome.
It's also unfortunate to hear about the behind-the-scenes production troubles with the final two films. Seems like they did the best with what they had, and it was still exciting to see the end of something that's been in the works for a little over a decade.
Some other stray, unorganized thoughts (and spoilers!):
It is regrettable that Hawk didn't have much to do besides get neg diffed by Muom. Yael got so much screentime in comparison. I feel like Koike might have a Jigen bias... Gravestone was the first OVA, and then those two took up a lot of real estate in Immortal Bloodline. At least that's what it felt like to me.
I feel like that archer assassin was built up to have more screentime just to get washed away with little fanfare at the end. Like she(?) just existed to cause problems... and I do respect that.
I thought, since Koike was going out of his way to differentiate the cast from how we usually think of them (like with Jigen's new and frequently hatless outfit), that maybe none of them were safe. Some of these action scenes had me scared as hell.
Muom calling Jigen 'worth less than a bug' or something close, and also genuinely going in for the kill with him, fascinates me. I know he doesn't think highly of any of the cast if he wants them to die on his freaky island, but I wonder what about Jigen in particular made him say that. I'd assume he was a mercenary or a mobster or both like most Jigens are, but what did he do that was worse than Goemon cutting off the hands of like 30 dudes? Makes you think. But as discussed, I guess not everything in this movie was written with intentions for it to be "that deep." It just is to me...
I liked Lupin's little "maybe the real treasure was the friends we made along the way" flashbacks. It's corny but whatever!
I wish Fujiko had more to do in this movie (than be naked) (as usual), but you'll find me wishing Fujiko had more to do in general. I also think Fujiko's Lie was the weakest of the OVAs, and it didn't really have much of an impact on Immortal Bloodline either. Like, Bincam was already dead. And I didn't like him very much...
It's been a while since I watched Two Lupins, but if I had to complain about something, it's that I think Fake Lupin was also super underutilized. He's probably my favorite character introduced in this film series. Strong presence, and his vision of Mamo right before he dies was so interesting. He leaves you wanting to know more about him, and... of course, how Mamo cloned Lupin. More than once, even...?(????) Maybe that's one thing that I feel like I'm missing from an entire Mamo-prequel-series.
And... yeah, I guess the ending is the most confusing bit and I mostly just gloss over it, lmao. I know it's setting up the opening to Mamo, but... the... um... I won't even try.
I also attempted to watch the dub and I don't prefer it. Jigen's voice (as I tend to associate it) coming out of Zenigata has made me pause more than once, my brain just can't reconcile it...
I feel like that archer assassin was built up to have more screentime just to get washed away with little fanfare at the end. Like she(?) just existed to cause problems... and I do respect that.
I thought, since Koike was going out of his way to differentiate the cast from how we usually think of them (like with Jigen's new and frequently hatless outfit), that maybe none of them were safe. Some of these action scenes had me scared as hell.
Muom calling Jigen 'worth less than a bug' or something close, and also genuinely going in for the kill with him, fascinates me. I know he doesn't think highly of any of the cast if he wants them to die on his freaky island, but I wonder what about Jigen in particular made him say that. I'd assume he was a mercenary or a mobster or both like most Jigens are, but what did he do that was worse than Goemon cutting off the hands of like 30 dudes? Makes you think. But as discussed, I guess not everything in this movie was written with intentions for it to be "that deep." It just is to me...
I liked Lupin's little "maybe the real treasure was the friends we made along the way" flashbacks. It's corny but whatever!
I wish Fujiko had more to do in this movie (than be naked) (as usual), but you'll find me wishing Fujiko had more to do in general. I also think Fujiko's Lie was the weakest of the OVAs, and it didn't really have much of an impact on Immortal Bloodline either. Like, Bincam was already dead. And I didn't like him very much...
It's been a while since I watched Two Lupins, but if I had to complain about something, it's that I think Fake Lupin was also super underutilized. He's probably my favorite character introduced in this film series. Strong presence, and his vision of Mamo right before he dies was so interesting. He leaves you wanting to know more about him, and... of course, how Mamo cloned Lupin. More than once, even...?(????) Maybe that's one thing that I feel like I'm missing from an entire Mamo-prequel-series.
And... yeah, I guess the ending is the most confusing bit and I mostly just gloss over it, lmao. I know it's setting up the opening to Mamo, but... the... um... I won't even try.
I also attempted to watch the dub and I don't prefer it. Jigen's voice (as I tend to associate it) coming out of Zenigata has made me pause more than once, my brain just can't reconcile it...
- Pronouns
- they/them
I've now seen The Immortal Bloodline! My thoughts:
Overall: I had a fun time and I kind of want to watch it with other Lupin fans and cackle and cheer at it.
Bonkers-
I've not seen all Lupin media (haven't seen half of Part I, most of Part II and III, some OVAs and TV specials) but I've seen a good chunk so I thought nothing would leave me scratching my head but wow this movie had me absolutely confused about how it would end. In the broad strokes I understand- Mamo controls everything and he made some goofy guys who are now doomed on this goofy island and sent some assassins to kill Lupin's gang but also wanted to toy with them a bit. But I really didn't know how the movie was going to wrap up (I knew Lupin would figure it out and everyone would get off the island one way or another but how...). I was just saying out loud "WHAT IS HAPPENING" and laughing at a couple moments that felt pretty serious but came off kinda funny instead. I didn't really take a lot of it seriously so it was a fun ride.
I think Koike's biases come out pretty strongly in this movie- he absolutely adores Yael Okuzaki, Muom, Goemon, and Zenigata- with how much screentime and cool scenes they get even in comparison to Lupin in my opinion. Fujiko has absolutely nothing to do in this movie which is super disappointing. I actually liked her in Fujiko's Lie and would've wanted more fight scenes with her! Jigen is also shafted in favor of Okuzaki imo. I was kind of tickled by how this movie continues the trend of Lupin movies tending to draw focus away from the main group but instead of focusing on "the girl of the day" it was weird monkey guy Muom.
I also think it's quite funny how much of this film is our favorite characters getting absolutely bodied by Muom and his island. Like all the films leading up to this one had each member of the gang getting wrecked before they have their "badass" moment. But I don't think anyone really got that redemptive cool moment except for Lupin??? Even Goemon is just haggard by the end of all this. I feel like this was an hour and 30 minutes of watching the gang just survive and not even get any treasure out of it lol (except the friends we made along the way).
I've seen a couple reviews just disappointed by how the film concludes this 10+ year saga. I'm kind of disappointed too I guess but I was never really invested in the story to begin with. This is probably the funniest entry to Koike's film series- some intentional, some not. I love Goemon just flying squirreling it and then just hitching a ride with Jigen (and how casual they are about it). I love how the gang ditches Lupin as the plane falls out the sky because they know he'll make it out (and also because they are absolute jerks). I love how absolutely TIRED Jigen, Goemon, and Zenigata are just lying on the ship towards the end of the film. I love how when Zenigata laments Lupin's death, the gang (and we the audience) are like "lol bro no he's not are you stupid?" I think that's why Zenigata calling out to Lupin at the volcano was so funny because we all know he'll be fine.
So I think I enjoyed it and do see myself rewatching it later- it's certainly unique and not boring! The character designs are captivating and action animation is super dynamic. I like how hurt all the characters get and how visceral all the hits feel- I like that we are kind of left with this feeling of "so what now?" Koike's interpretation has definitely left a mark on the franchise and I hope we get another entry that is as fresh and off-the-wall as this one from another director.
I've not seen all Lupin media (haven't seen half of Part I, most of Part II and III, some OVAs and TV specials) but I've seen a good chunk so I thought nothing would leave me scratching my head but wow this movie had me absolutely confused about how it would end. In the broad strokes I understand- Mamo controls everything and he made some goofy guys who are now doomed on this goofy island and sent some assassins to kill Lupin's gang but also wanted to toy with them a bit. But I really didn't know how the movie was going to wrap up (I knew Lupin would figure it out and everyone would get off the island one way or another but how...). I was just saying out loud "WHAT IS HAPPENING" and laughing at a couple moments that felt pretty serious but came off kinda funny instead. I didn't really take a lot of it seriously so it was a fun ride.
I think Koike's biases come out pretty strongly in this movie- he absolutely adores Yael Okuzaki, Muom, Goemon, and Zenigata- with how much screentime and cool scenes they get even in comparison to Lupin in my opinion. Fujiko has absolutely nothing to do in this movie which is super disappointing. I actually liked her in Fujiko's Lie and would've wanted more fight scenes with her! Jigen is also shafted in favor of Okuzaki imo. I was kind of tickled by how this movie continues the trend of Lupin movies tending to draw focus away from the main group but instead of focusing on "the girl of the day" it was weird monkey guy Muom.
I also think it's quite funny how much of this film is our favorite characters getting absolutely bodied by Muom and his island. Like all the films leading up to this one had each member of the gang getting wrecked before they have their "badass" moment. But I don't think anyone really got that redemptive cool moment except for Lupin??? Even Goemon is just haggard by the end of all this. I feel like this was an hour and 30 minutes of watching the gang just survive and not even get any treasure out of it lol (
I've seen a couple reviews just disappointed by how the film concludes this 10+ year saga. I'm kind of disappointed too I guess but I was never really invested in the story to begin with. This is probably the funniest entry to Koike's film series- some intentional, some not. I love Goemon just flying squirreling it and then just hitching a ride with Jigen (and how casual they are about it). I love how the gang ditches Lupin as the plane falls out the sky because they know he'll make it out (and also because they are absolute jerks). I love how absolutely TIRED Jigen, Goemon, and Zenigata are just lying on the ship towards the end of the film. I love how when Zenigata laments Lupin's death, the gang (and we the audience) are like "lol bro no he's not are you stupid?" I think that's why Zenigata calling out to Lupin at the volcano was so funny because we all know he'll be fine.
So I think I enjoyed it and do see myself rewatching it later- it's certainly unique and not boring! The character designs are captivating and action animation is super dynamic. I like how hurt all the characters get and how visceral all the hits feel- I like that we are kind of left with this feeling of "so what now?" Koike's interpretation has definitely left a mark on the franchise and I hope we get another entry that is as fresh and off-the-wall as this one from another director.
Overall: I had a fun time and I kind of want to watch it with other Lupin fans and cackle and cheer at it.