Spoilers Underappreciated Side Character Appreciation Thread (Freak of the Week & The Joe Chronicles)

[beardedangel]

Hey? Anybody else remember Mister G? From Princess of the Breeze? He has, like, a gun for a kneecap? I love him???

Okay, sooo, this is about the weirdos who show up for, like, one episode, manga chapter, special or whatever and never again, yet, for some reason still live in your head rent free. Aside from the core five (six, if you count Yata), there's TONS of characters in the Lupin franchise. Like. A freakish ungodly amount of characters. And for what??? For them to just fade into obscurity??? So many go unappreciated and unloved, lost to time... BUT NO LONGER!!! Now is their time to shine!

Y'all, PLEASE share with me your favorite lil' freakazoids that deserve some more love. These side characters genuinely fascinate and intrigue me. Whether it's untapped potential or if you just think that they're neat, I'm so exited to see which obscure goobers are gonna get the spotlight.

Alongside the aforementioned Mister G, I also propose the thieves in Prison of the Past. While I feel this may be a more popular choice, they've all only appeared in PotP, but??? They're all really cool??? I adore the idea of introducing other thieves just doing their own thing in the Lupin universe, and I feel PotP did an especially great job with it. Like??? What's the deal with Baron Orellana? What's Doc Heinz's story? Dynamite Joe, my beloved... I want to know more about this man and why he is the way he is. (Dynamite Joe spin-off miniseries when???) To me, adding these characters makes the world feel a bit more lived in and realized. Like, Lupin is obviously top dog when it comes to thievery, but I love that there's just a bunch of other thieves out there and they have their own little histories, schticks, and quirks.

 

[VampireNaomi]

Baron Orellana is exactly the kind of weirdo that I tend to fall in love with and I adored every second that he was on screen. I totally agree that showing other thief characters and their gimmicks is a lot of fun and something I wish they did even more often. Some kind of thief convention or other plot that lets multiple thieves interact and put their skills to use would be great. Like the third episode in Zero, but on a much larger scale. Like, drop a bunch of thieves in a labyrinth and make them play a game of survival to see who can make it out alive.

But my favourite itty bitty side character that absolutely nobody else probably cares even a little about is the circus ringmaster from "The Magician's Left Hand" in Part 4. Just, the whole concept that

Spoiler: spoilers just in case

his own father told him he wasn't good enough to inherit his legacy and he should do something else with his life, ouch.

That made me instantly sympathetic to him and I've got an entire AU about him in my head.

By the way there is a pretty similar thread here if you want to read more takes on side characters!

 

[Giovanni]

I think Albert was a great villain, wished Part 6 actually did something with him instead of just using him for like 3 episodes and then never mentioning him again.

 

[VampireNaomi]

I think Albert was a great villain, wished Part 6 actually did something with him instead of just using him for like 3 episodes and then never mentioning him again.

I think their mistake was bringing him back after the first episode and making it look like he was going to contribute something to the story. Having him just in the first episode would have been a fine way to get the plot moving, a nod to the people who liked his character, and a way to keep him somewhat relevant in case they wanted to give him a bigger role later in the franchise. But everything he did after the first episode was just 100% pointless.

 

[beardedangel]

Baron Orellana is exactly the kind of weirdo that I tend to fall in love with and I adored every second that he was on screen.

He's just a litle creacher, thatse it. I love him. Baron Orellana spin-off miniseries when???

I totally agree that showing other thief characters and their gimmicks is a lot of fun and something I wish they did even more often. Some kind of thief convention or other plot that lets multiple thieves interact and put their skills to use would be great. Like the third episode in Zero, but on a much larger scale. Like, drop a bunch of thieves in a labyrinth and make them play a game of survival to see who can make it out alive.

YES, episode 3 in Zero was one of my favorites (along with episodes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6), you are so correct! I loved Phoolan and Marion Hood so, so, so much. A thief convention is such a great concept. Gimme a bunch of weird fellas and put them in a weird situation. Shenanigans ensue.

But my favourite itty bitty side character that absolutely nobody else probably cares even a little about is the circus ringmaster from "The Magician's Left Hand" in Part 4.

YES!!! I loved him too, that was such a fantastic episode!

By the way there is a pretty similar thread here if you want to read more takes on side characters!

Oopsies, well now that's embarrassing, my bad. I don't know how I missed that thread. I'll blame it on my somewhat newbie status here and also my clown antics and dumbassery in general. Thank you, though, I do love reading about obscure characters in this series, so the more stuff to read on that subject, the merrier.

 

[beardedangel]

I think Albert was a great villain, wished Part 6 actually did something with him instead of just using him for like 3 episodes and then never mentioning him again.

ALBERT D'ANDRESY BABEYYY

I love this bastard man. He deserved so much more. He's such an asshole, I love him.

You're very correct, though, Part 6 made a lot of, let's say, interesting decisions, in my opinion. And by interesting, I mean weird and strange.

 

[jojosuibhne]

honestly detective melon from female detective miss melon lives in my head rent free?? and im really mad about how the part 2 episode handled her?????? we finally get a female rival for an episode and she's just the butt of everyone's jokes. her whole schtick is a pretty classic one wherein she purposely gets people to underestimate her because she is a woman (and perceived to be plain looking). the writers could have used that trait to write a really interesting character!! and then zenigata calls her ugly and she steps out of the car like beat face hair done in a sick ass outfit and she pretty womaned his ass!!!! and then there's no payoff!!!!! like obviously she's not going to win against lupin but she deserved to get a one up over zenigata so bad!!!!! i'm still so mad about this episode!!!!!!!!!! they made the coolest lady detective ever and then quote predictably tossed her in the trash!! rant over!!!!!!
and also julia from farewell to nostradamus! she was so cute i loved her relationship with lupin sm and she makes the movie really fun!

 

[beardedangel]

honestly detective melon from female detective miss melon lives in my head rent free?? and im really mad about how the part 2 episode handled her?????? we finally get a female rival for an episode and she's just the butt of everyone's jokes. her whole schtick is a pretty classic one wherein she purposely gets people to underestimate her because she is a woman (and perceived to be plain looking). the writers could have used that trait to write a really interesting character!! and then zenigata calls her ugly and she steps out of the car like beat face hair done in a sick ass outfit and she pretty womaned his ass!!!! and then there's no payoff!!!!! like obviously she's not going to win against lupin but she deserved to get a one up over zenigata so bad!!!!! i'm still so mad about this episode!!!!!!!!!! they made the coolest lady detective ever and then quote predictably tossed her in the trash!! rant over!!!!!!
and also julia from farewell to nostradamus! she was so cute i loved her relationship with lupin sm and she makes the movie really fun!

They really did do her so dirty, huh. You are so correct, she has so much POTENTIAL. Along with being a capable badass lady detective, she's a literal descendant Justin Ganimard, the Zenigata to the first Arsène Lupin. And, what, we're just not going to explore this very interesting facet of her??? No lineage-spanning beef between her and Lupin? None whatsoever?

You're absolutely right, I do wish she was given a lot more respect. Tragic.

 

[JeyPawlik]

I'd seen a license plate in my town recently that was "Mister G" and it reminded me of that really bizzare character from the weird Lupin baby movie!

For side characters, I really enjoyed Vicky from Island of Assassins. He was like a proto-Yata but looked like he stepped out of the 90s Pokemon anime. Anytime Zenigata gets a fun character to bounce off is always a good time I've found.

 

[berritired]

I actually enjoyed Mariya in Tokyo Crisis, I enjoyed she actively did things and, despite initially not being a big fan of the story she was stuck with, embraced it eventually. I thought some of the side characters, despite not being a big fan of the movie cause it was just 'okay' to me, in Island of Assassins being enjoyable. I'm sure there might be more side characters I didn't mind in the films and specials, but having a hard time recalling. The tv series, part 2 had some small one off characters I kind of liked too. I also loved how devious Fujiko's princess friend was in part 3 with her crappy husband.

I also do like Albert, but yeah, was disappointed in pt 6 for reasons with that.

I also didn't mind Maria from the Hemingway Paper's special. She legit is just a one man army woman doing what she can, regardless of the plot around her, and I respect that.

 

[beardedangel]

I'd seen a license plate in my town recently that was "Mister G" and it reminded me of that really bizzare character from the weird Lupin baby movie!

It's Mister G himself, you've found him. Bigfoot sighting.

For side characters, I really enjoyed Vicky from Island of Assassins. He was like a proto-Yata but looked like he stepped out of the 90s Pokemon anime. Anytime Zenigata gets a fun character to bounce off is always a good time I've found.

I completely agree, Zenigata is such a great character on his own. But when he has allies on the same side of the law as him, I think it gives him and his tomfoolery a chance to shine even brighter. Vicky Flanagan walked so that Goro Yatagarasu could run.

 

[beardedangel]

I also loved how devious Fujiko's princess friend was in part 3 with her crappy husband.

 

[beardedangel]

I forgot, I have another weirdo. Part 4, Episode 4.

It's just straight up Columbo. As opposed to his apparent son that he has for some reason that appears in Part 2, Episode 72. His name is Bolonco. He has a skateboard.

 

[Shmeepy!]

Finally, fellow Mr. G enjoyers...

I think my favorite underrated side character would have to be Marie Antoinette from Search for the Queen's Necklace. Like, it's so weird that I'm out here calling Marie Antoinette my favorite girl of the week and yet. she's just so pretty and perfect and everyone hates her for no reason when all she wants is to have a taste of freedom with this handsome and strangely effeminate thief who broke into her room to steal her shit how could I not love her

 

[beardedangel]

Finally, fellow Mr. G enjoyers...

I was more invested in Mister G and his milliseconds of screen time than I was the bland blonde anime people and their stupid ugly baby.

I think my favorite underrated side character would have to be Marie Antoinette from Search for the Queen's Necklace. Like, it's so weird that I'm out here calling Marie Antoinette my favorite girl of the week and yet. she's just so pretty and perfect and everyone hates her for no reason when all she wants is to have a taste of freedom with this handsome and strangely effeminate thief who broke into her room to steal her shit how could I not love her

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I don't like to throw around the word "perfection" very often, but...

 

[xxx]

Not sure if the villains count but they are the two weirdest weirdos in my book and I love them to bits.
Crazy Mash from "The Hemingway Papers" and Sadachiyo from "The Secret of Twilight Gemini".

 

[The Amazing Chris Godbey!]

I'm a big fan of both versions of Melon Cop.
The one from the anime is cute (especially before her "makeover"), and I really enjoy the episode she appears in, but the manga character that she's loosely based on is totally awesome.
Melon Kiichi is Zenigata's partner for the Lupin case, and he's a lot more hard-edged than Zenigata (not hesitating to kill criminals), but also a talented stage magician who once challenges Lupin to a magic battle, and (at least in the TOKYOPOP translation) talks like a hippie.
It was nice for ol' Pops to have another wacky detective to bounce off of, sometimes working together, sometimes clashing. Unlike Yata (not a fan of him, sorry), Melon had a distinctive personality and function. However, though, I feel like Monkey Punch ran out of stuff to do with Melon, since he just kinda became "Zenigata B" as it went on, before he stopped appearing completely.
Every time there's a new Lupin the Third anime, I always hope that we finally get a proper adaptation of Melon Cop.

Albert's been mentioned a few times, and I think the reason he's not as effective as he could've been was that he was used too much. That second arc of Part 5 was great, and he was used beautifully there...and that's where they should've stopped with him. They just kept shoehorning in his appearances for the rest of Part 5 (and especially in Part 6) where he didn't contribute much AT ALL. If you don't need him, don't include him!
He was used great in Lupin ZERO, though!

 

[beardedangel]

Not sure if the villains count but they are the two weirdest weirdos in my book and I love them to bits.
Crazy Mash from "The Hemingway Papers" and Sadachiyo from "The Secret of Twilight Gemini".

View attachment 2936

View attachment 2938

Villains absolutely count, and you highlighted two great ones. Crazy Mash especially occupies way too much of my brain space. He's such a little shitter.

 

[beardedangel]

I'm a big fan of both versions of Melon Cop.
The one from the anime is cute (especially before her "makeover"), and I really enjoy the episode she appears in, but the manga character that she's loosely based on is totally awesome.
Melon Kiichi is Zenigata's partner for the Lupin case, and he's a lot more hard-edged than Zenigata (not hesitating to kill criminals), but also a talented stage magician who once challenges Lupin to a magic battle, and (at least in the TOKYOPOP translation) talks like a hippie.
It was nice for ol' Pops to have another wacky detective to bounce off of, sometimes working together, sometimes clashing. Unlike Yata (not a fan of him, sorry), Melon had a distinctive personality and function. However, though, I feel like Monkey Punch ran out of stuff to do with Melon, since he just kinda became "Zenigata B" as it went on, before he stopped appearing completely.
Every time there's a new Lupin the Third anime, I always hope that we finally get a proper adaptation of Melon Cop.

Melon Cop to Zeni-baby, holler 'atcha boy. Melon Cop is the Wario to Yata's Mario. I like Mario just fine, but Wario??? Yeah babeyyy, now we're cooking.

I understand why some folks love Yata. And I also understand why some folks may not vibe with Yata. Both are absolutely valid, and depending on the day, I land somewhere between these two schools of thought. I personally think Yata's alright, with his strongest appearance being PotP. He's supportive and he's passionate about justice. He's sensible, he's smart. He's a bit of a dork and a nerd and a geek and I think he'd be fun to shove in a locker perhaps. That's fun, but yes, he's a little underdeveloped in terms of personality at the moment. However, I feel he has a lot of potential. To be fair, he is still a relatively recent addition and hasn't had a lot of time to fully shine on his own yet. From the looks of things, he may be a mainstay in future entries because he kinda just appeared in Part 5 and never really left. I do hope we get to learn more about him, maybe flesh him out a bit more. Maybe he has a tragic backstory. Maybe he doesn't and he's just a huge dweeb. Maybe he collects stamps. Who knows? I do like the idea of Zeni having someone on his side of the law to confide in. Let's be honest, Zenigata needs a little buddy. For the sake of his own mental stability. If he didn't have Yata, I think he should have a dog at the very least or something.

But Melon Cop? He is a cold-hearted, vile bastard. I love Melon Cop with all my heart, he's such a ruthless, shameless sunnovabitch. He can kill and absolutely will kill without hesitation. Why? Because he thinks it's fun and why the hell not, that's why. Unless wherever I found this is full of crap, I remember reading somewhere that Melon was what would happen if manga Lupin became a cop instead of a thief, and, yep, that checks out. He's just an unapologetic little stinker. He's Lupin's problem. He's Zenigata's problem. He's everyone's problem. And that's fantastic.

 

[Hooder]

Ellen my beloved...

Ellen

Ellen was a character who appeared in the TV Special In Memory of the Walther P38. Ellen was an assassin who worked for Tarantula lead by Gordo and the only female assassin in the group, her strength was her physical attacks. She was given a tarantula tattoo on her right hand as poison was...

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