Spoilers The Lupin Empire

[HixyStix]

So in early Part 1, it's mentioned multiple times that Lupin runs an "empire" more than just a gang and he works with outside criminals much more often. (Obviously this is before they changed directions midway BUT IT'S STILL CANON.) In Strange Psychokinetic Strategy, he's avoiding running the Lupin Empire he was heir to. And in

Spoiler: Spoiler for Lupin Zero

Zero, Lupin II talks about establishing an empire.

So does anyone else have headcanons for this? It kind of makes me want to think younger Lupin maybe tried to take over his dad's position but decided it wasn't for him and he much preferred just doing his own thing with Jigen, Fujiko, and Goemon. You could even play with his dad still being alive and him working alongside him at first. And it also can explain the change in how ruthless he is midway through Part 1 (in-universe, at least). Plus, if he was coming out of an existing criminal organization, it could be how he ended up on the ICPO's radar so early.

 

[Jonnie]

I actually wish they kept this aspect of his character! I like to think that Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko are his "inner circle" so to speak, but that if he needed or wanted to he could call on others to assist him. I particularly like the moment in Part 1 Episode 13, where Lupin just... has spare men to help him pull of the episode's opening heist, and then they're never mentioned or seen again.

 

[HixyStix]

I actually wish they kept this aspect of his character! I like to think that Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko are his "inner circle" so to speak, but that if he needed or wanted to he could call on others to assist him.

I think that's interesting! Plus stuff we see later on in other parts and specials/movies, he's Big News in the criminal world - this could help explain that reputation too!

 

[Jonnie]

I think that's interesting! Plus stuff we see later on in other parts and specials/movies, he's Big News in the criminal world - this could help explain that reputation too!

Exactly! I think keeping this as a minor element would work the best, since Lupin doesn't seem all that interested in maintaining an empire... But some of his flashier heists need more than four people to pull off!

 

[WateredWillow]

I like to think of Lupin's Empire as a sort of criminal underground Baker Street Irregulars sort of thing. Like just a group of experienced people that Lupin has in his backpocket for whatever niche reason he needs them. I also like to think of it in a sort of like, Kim Possible sort of way, like he just meets these people going about his usual antics and they owe him favours so he employs them into his Empire.
Like say, if he needs thugs, hell he's got a good few bands of thugs who owe him a favour some time that he and Jigen got mixed up dealing with some crooked abusive crime bosses and when they took them out they were like, hey if you need a favour just call. Or like, a scientist or historian that he helped out when an item he wanted to steal put said nerdy person in a lot of danger and they had a wacky adventure so Lupin will just be like, hey I need some doohicky looked at can you come over? Like just a legion of random people with random talents that Lupin brings into his fold by being a generally chaotic person doing a lot of shit all the time, and also just being a good guy who accrues favours from others.