"Lupin" is still a household name more than 100 years after the O.G. character's creation. Part 3 of Netflix's beloved French series Lupin starring Omar Sy is currently in production, for example. Plus, we're seeing newly released animated films — such as Japan's Lupin III: The First — hitting the masses and winning awards.

The beloved character "Lupin III" has been a staple in Japan ever his creation by manga artist Monkey Punch in 1967. For those not familiar, "manga" refers to comics and graphic novels originating from Japan. Over the years, Lupin III has appeared in manga, anime, and movies — both of the live-action and animated variety. In total, there have been more than a dozen movies produced featuring the irresistible character.

But Lupin III: The First is the first time he's been given the CGI treatment. The 2019 action-comedy heist film was written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, while animated by Marza Animation Planet and TMS Entertainment. The voice cast for the English dubbed version includes returning members Tony Oliver (Lupin III), Doug Erholtz (Koichi Zenigata), Michelle Ruff (Fujiko Mine), Richard Epcar (Daisuke Jigen), and Lex Lang (Goemon Ishikawa), reprising their roles within the franchise.

While the Netflix show Lupin is better suited for adults, the manga series certainly has a broader appeal for all age groups.

Let's take a closer look at the franchise's latest offering.

What's The Movie About?

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Via: Lupin III: The First

Today's version of the "gentleman thief," AKA Lupin III, returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure. Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of a mysterious diary before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. Set during the late 1960s of the Shōwa era, the film follows the crew to Paris and Brazil to find the whereabouts of the Bresson Diary, a treasure even Lupin's grandfather — the legendary Arsène Lupin — failed to catch. A battle for the mechanical diary is unleashed as a Nazi treasure-hunter group led by Lambert and Geralt are also in a race to steal it, with the prize that whoever deciphers its mystery will be the owners of an enormous fortune. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades, and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that has made Lupin III one of the most storied animation franchises in the world. The latest flick is a thrilling caper that is sure to delight fans old and new.

Is Lupin III Appropriate For Kids?

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Via: Lupin III: The First

Spectacularly animated and exciting, Lupin III: The First is derivative of the Indiana Jones movies and should appeal to a younger generation itching for action-packed thrill rides. Although the "hero" here is a thief, the story follows the tradition of other Lupin movies so that Lupin ends up helping a victim or stopping a more ruthless criminal. In this tale, Lupin must prevent the villains from getting their hands on a powerful device to use as a weapon. Also, Lupin doesn’t want to use the device for his own selfish ends, but rather to destroy it. Therefore, the film's thematic material is definitely suitable for all ages.

That said, the film does contain some foul language and action violence. There are about six mild expletives used, as well as plenty of cartoon violence involving gunfights. There is also a scene where a young woman is thrown out of a plane — but Lupin saves her in the end. There's also a dramatic scene at the beginning of the film where a gunshot is heard, implying that a man has been murdered. Meanwhile, there is no sex or nudity to worry about.

Therefore, despite the premise-based around stealing and deception, this is certainly a family-friendly interpretation from Yamazaki, effectively sidestepping the raunchiness of some other adaptations while retaining a consistently cheeky and charming flair.

Will Adults Enjoy The Movie?

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Via: Lupin III: The First

The film earned acclaim from (adult) critics across the board for its plot, mesmerizing animation, vocal performances, and faithfulness toward the source material. Many felt the series transitioned well into CGI, praising the level of detail and fluidity. The spectacular sequence where Lupin zips through deadly laser rays over Yuji Ohno’s classic theme, for example, will impress all who tune in. Forgettable story aside, the film is a visual treat, full of joy and zaniness, so adults will find some joy in accompanying their youngsters for a viewing.

What's In Store For The Future Of Lupin?

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Via: Lupin III: The First

While no future Lupin III projects have yet been announced, fans of the gentleman thief can tune into the first two seasons of Lupin on Netflix. Season 3 is currently shooting, as confirmed by Sy's recent tweet. Lupin III: The First is aptly titled, as it's the first 3DCG installment in the franchise, but an earlier anime film from the franchise, Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro: Special Edition, is also currently available for streaming on Netflix.