Would a 'Zenigata Zero', a Lupin Zero-style prequel origin story for Zenigata, work?

[TheWhiteCygnus]

Now, first off, I know whenever people ask this online, there's typically two answers: "If it's written well" or "No".
The former is obvious, yet a very simplistic view of this principle. Because ultimately there's two components to the creative writing process, there's the conceptual work, drafting and speculating, the composition of themes, plot, characters, then the connecting of each in a webwork of interrelation underpinned by thematic and plot relavence, relationships, symbolism, etc, and then there's execution. The prose in literary contexts, or the script and production in cinematic or theatrical contexts. Execution is relatively easy to revise and treat, the conceptual work, the fundamentals, are far more difficult.
So, I am wondering what the consensus is (if there is any) on the concepts, what would be essential elements of a project like this, a prequel exploration of Zenigata's character evolution in youth to the status quo that exists today, albeit not a definitive characterization by any means since canon is non-existent.

For an example of my point, in my opinion, Cagliostro has great concepts and execution, whereas something like Lupin Zero has great concepts and good albeit flawed execution (it really needed more time to expand and flesh out its themes and plot questions), whereas Green versus Red also has great concepts with mediocre execution.

 

[Seroster]

I had a longer response about the dividing line between ideas/concepts and execution but let's put that aside.

Do you want responses about "would it work?" or "what are the essential elements?" Those are two very different things!

 

[TheWhiteCygnus]

Fair enough. "Would it Work?" is kind of a redundant question if there are hypothetically essential elements that could contribute to it working, so I suppose I should reframe the question from here on out as...

"For a Zenigata origin story narrative to work, what essential elements should be integrated?"

If someone has the opinion it shouldn't work, then they would disagree at the premise, and I concede the initial question is a little limiting when it comes to discussion.

 

[Yawackhary]

Yeah. I can take any animation adaptation spinoff of Zenigata whether its original stories, live action, manga, Zero style, whatever.

"For a Zenigata origin story narrative to work, what essential elements should be integrated?"

- His backstory starts at a later time frame than Lupin Zero, maybe Zenigata in his early-mid 20s. Maybe late teens at a push like that manga story with Lupin and Zenigata in college/university, just can't see it working in a high school environment.
- His father would be an ancestor of Heiji Zenigata. Koichi's original name was Heiji Zenigata VII so there might be some answer (or something throwaway/conflicting). Anyway his history would be why Koichi has an interest and passion working with the police.
- Working his way up at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police going from an officer to an inspector. Well... since Part 1 and TWCFM was before he was at Interpol (well Zeni does kind of visit Interpol in Part 1 after Episode 15, not in name). Feel that this would be the most important element above anything, Zenigata and his career. Both the live action and the manga spinoffs focused on Zenigata's job.
- Considering that Zenigata is VERY GOOD at his job, the series should reflect this.
- An interest in Fujiko Mine. Again Part 1, TWCFM and even Episode 0 touched on wanting to arrest Fujiko. I feel that this connection alone especially for a prequel will be the main focus, more than Lupin himself. Maybe even throw Poon or The Union in there too.
- Possibly a mentor like figure to guide him... The manga/pilot did have Akechi while Part 2 had Hanshichi.
- Seeing first hand on the corruption at the MPD. Since Zenigata (in most cases) sees himself as someone with justice and goes against bosses. Like a plotline where he wants to do the right thing but a fellow officer or his boss is on the take. After all it is hinted that he doesn't get good pay in Part 3.
- Part 1 had Zenigata clashing with the Commissioner that gets tense as the series goes on so something similar along those lines. Both this and the above adds towards his personality.
- Sometimes Zenigata has his own officers who follow him, there would be him developing his trust with officers going from awkward to "we follow you to the ends of the Earth".
- Pops would have an interest in Lupin III that grows stronger as the series goes on since Lupin gets more and more successful evading the police/performing heists. The idea would in his mind give him a challenge especially when he becomes inspector. He wouldn't personally see or met him (possibly towards the final episode when he finally gets The Lupin Case and be happy about it) but he would have heard stories of Arsène Lupin that fuels him. There might be moments where Zenigata and Lupin are around like walking/running down a street or something but they don't take much notice of the other until the end.
- The final episode might be a set up of someone disguised as Zeni and turns out to be Lupin. We know how many times Lupin disguises himself as him...

Thinking thematically it would start Zenigata being less confident (more awkward/annoyed than shy) but gains confidence at his job just because he's that good at it. Yet... there are moments where he'll get depressed from his boss/fellow officers or missing capturing Fujiko where he has doubts. His personality wouldn't be like TWCFM, more like his typical hotheaded self yet kind hearted when he helps someone and gets emotional.