Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo

About Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo

Here is what Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo (ルパン三世 ルパンvs複製人間) is about, retold in plain terms: an adventure, comedy and mystery anime by Tokyo Movie Shinsha (1978). In short: Lupin, the master thief/spy/Jack of all Trades, has been executed, but he is still alive, and not even Lupin himself knows how that is possible. While trying to figure out, however, he and his gang are thrust into a conspiracy involving clones, Lupin's un-trustworthy rival Fujiko, and a miniature madman's plot to take over the realm.

As an adventure title, exploration, new locations and a steady sense of momentum drive the story. Voice work is led by Yasuo Yamada as Arsène Lupin III and Kiyoshi Kobayashi as Daisuke Jigen.

Think of it as a pick for anyone who enjoys travel-the-world storytelling. The run is 1 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Tokyo Movie Shinsha, which means the visual identity of Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo follows that studio's craft. The adventure focus matters here: exploration, new locations and a steady sense of momentum drive the story. At 7.0/10 it earns a solid reception, a safe pick for fans of the genre. Voice casting, including Yasuo Yamada as Arsène Lupin III, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. It aired in 1978, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.