Is the Lupin III Anime Finished?#
If you are looking for a definitive “series finale” where every plot thread is tied up in a bow, you won’t find one here. Lupin III is an ongoing franchise.
Unlike narrative-driven series with a single ending, Lupin III is an episodic caper series. It is designed around the adventures of the world’s greatest thief and his crew, meaning the “story” is the lifestyle of the characters rather than a linear plot. With new projects continuing well into 2025 and 2026—such as Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline and Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata to Futari no Lupin—the franchise shows no signs of stopping.
Because of its episodic nature, watching the anime is a satisfying experience on its own. You do not need to read the manga to understand the plot, though doing so provides more depth to the characters. If you want to start your journey, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
What is the Appeal of Lupin III?#
Lupin III is best suited for fans of heist movies, globe-trotting adventures, and a blend of action and comedy. The series centers on the charismatic Lupin, his cool-headed partner Jigen, the master of disguise Goemon, and the elusive Fujiko Mine.
The appeal lies in the chemistry between the leads, the high-stakes thefts, and the iconic jazz-influenced atmosphere (long defined by the work of composer Yuji Ohno). Whether it is a gritty reimagining or a lighthearted comedy, the core of the series remains the thrilling game of cat-and-mouse between Lupin and Inspector Zenigata.
If you love the aesthetic of the show, you can buy Lupin III merchandise to bring some of that master-thief style to your own home.
Recommended Watch Orders#
Because the Lupin III universe is vast, the “best” way to watch depends on your goals. Please refer to our relationship tree below the article for a visual map of these connections.
The Main Series Path (Release Order)#
For those who want to see how the animation and characters evolved over the decades, follow the numbered “Parts”:
- Lupin the 3rd (1971)
- Lupin III: Part II (1977)
- Lupin III: Part III (1984)
- Lupin III: Part IV (2015)
- Lupin the Third: Part 5 (2018)
- Lupin the 3rd Part 6 (2021)
The Completionist’s Journey#
A true completionist needs to dive into the movies, specials, and spin-offs. In addition to the main parts, you should include:
- The Classics: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) and The Mystery of Mamo (1978).
- The TV Specials: A massive collection ranging from The Hemingway Papers and Napoleon’s Dictionary to modern entries like Lupin III: Prison of the Past.
- The “IIIrd” Cinematic Universe: This is a more stylized set of films starting with The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012), followed by Jigen’s Gravestone, Goemon’s Blood Spray, and Fujiko Mine’s Lie. The most recent additions to this line include Zenigata to Futari no Lupin and The Immortal Bloodline (2025).
- Crossovers: Don’t miss the Lupin III vs. Detective Conan series and Lupin III vs. Cat’s Eye.
The Source Material Path#
If you prefer to start with the written word or want to supplement the anime, you can buy the Lupin III manga.
Start with the original 1967 manga, then move through the sequels: World’s Most Wanted, Lupin III S, and Lupin III Y. For those interested in specific characters, the Captain Zenigata manga is also a great addition.
Final Tips for New Viewers#
- Don’t be intimidated: You don’t have to watch every single special to enjoy the main series. Pick a “Part” or a movie like The Castle of Cagliostro and see if the vibe suits you.
- Stay Updated: The franchise frequently releases new Blu-rays and digital launches (like the recent The Immortal Bloodline release on Amazon Prime Video). Keep an eye on new licenses from distributors like Discotek.
If you found this guide helpful and want to keep our research going, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi!
Quick Summary Table#
| Goal | Starting Point | Key Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Viewer | Lupin the 3rd (1971) | Stick to the numbered Parts |
| Movie Buff | The Castle of Cagliostro | Explore the “IIIrd” film series |
| Reader | Original 1967 Manga | Follow the S and Y sequels |
Lupin III • anime •
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Episode 0 'First Contact' • anime • 2002-07-26
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd • anime • 1971-10-24 to 1972-03-26
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III: Part II • anime • 1977-10-03 to 1980-10-06
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III: Part III • anime • 1984-03-03 to 1985-09-28
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III: Part IV • anime • 2015-08-30 (Italy)
└─(side story)→ Lupin III Italian Game • anime • 2016-01-08
└─(sequel)→ Lupin the Third: Part 5 • anime • 2018-04-03 to 2018-09-18
└─(sequel)→ Lupin the 3rd Part 6 • anime • 2021-10-09 to 2022-03-26
└─(related)→ Lupin the Third: Is Lupin Still Burning? • anime • 2018-07-25
└─(remake)→ Lupin Sansei: Lupin Ikka Seizoroi • anime • 2012-03-28
└─(part)→ Lupin III • manga • 1967-08-10 to 1969-05-22
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III: World's Most Wanted • manga • 1977-06-23 to 1981-05-28
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III S • manga • 1997-01 (Began Serialization)
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III Y • manga • 1998 to 2004 (Serialization)
└─(related)→ Chō Kochikame • manga • 2006-09-15
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Missed by a Dollar • anime • 2000-07-28
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Alcatraz Connection • anime • 2001-08-03
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: Bye Bye, Lady Liberty • anime • 1989-04-01
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Voyage to Danger • anime • 1993-07-23
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Dead or Alive • anime • 1996
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: From Siberia with Love • anime • 1992-07-24
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Columbus Files • anime • 1999-07-30
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: The Hemingway Papers • anime • 1990-07-20
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary • anime • 1991-08-09
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Operation Return the Treasure • anime • 2003-08-01
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Return of Pycal • anime • 2002-04-03
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Secret Files • anime • 1989
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro • anime • 1979-12-15
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy • anime • 1987
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon • anime • 1985-07-13
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Pursuit of Harimao's Treasure • anime • 1995-08-04
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo • anime • 1978
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Secret of Twilight Gemini • anime • 1996-08-02
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus • anime • 1995-04
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Crisis in Tokyo • anime • 1998-07-24
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Island of Assassins • anime • 1997-08-01 (Broadcast on NTV)
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Dragon of Doom • anime • 1994-07-29
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Swallowtail Tattoo • anime • 2004-07-30 (First Broadcast)
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Angel Tactics • anime • 2005-07-22
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Seven Days Rhapsody • anime • 2006-09-08 (Original Japanese broadcast at 9:03 P.M.)
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Elusiveness of the Fog • anime • 2007-07-27
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: Green vs Red • anime • 2008-04-02
└─(part)→ Lupin III vs. Detective Conan • anime • 2009-03-27
└─(sequel)→ Lupin III vs. Detective Conan The Movie • anime • 2013-12-07
└─(part)→ Lupin III: the Last Job • anime • 2010-02-12
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Sweet Lost Night • anime • 2008-07-25
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: Blood Seal of the Eternal Mermaid • anime • 2011-12-02
└─(part)→ Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine • anime • 2012-04-04 to 2012-06-27
└─(spinoff)→ Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone • anime • 2014-06-21
└─(related)→ Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon's Blood Spray • anime • 2017-02-04
└─(related)→ Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko Mine's Lie • anime • 2019-05-31
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: The Secret Page of Marco Polo! • anime • 2012-11-02
└─(part)→ Lupin the 3rd: Princess of the Breeze! • anime • 2013-11-15
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Goodbye Partner • anime • 2019-01-25
└─(part)→ Lupin III THE FIRST • anime • 2019-12-06
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Prison of the Past • anime • 2019-11-29
└─(part)→ Lupin III vs. Cat's Eye • anime • 2023-01-27
└─(part)→ Lupin Zero • anime • 2022-12-16
└─(part)→ Lupin III: Neighbor World Princess • manga • 2021-08-26 (serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion, 2021 #39)
└─(part)→ Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline • anime • 2025-06-27
└─(prequel)→ Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata to Futari no Lupin • anime • 2025-06-20
└─(part)→ Lupin Hassei • manga • 1982-05 to 1983-02 (serialized in Monthly Hyakuten Comic)
└─(part)→ Captain Zenigata • manga • 2010-10-28 to 2017-12-08 (Lupin III Official Magazine, Autumn 2010 - Dec 2017)
