Say hello to lupin_charabios.html because the Lupin homepage had a hard time with the myriad images I dumped on it
THE LUPIN FAMILY
If you say you watch Lupin for the plot you're lying. It's all (mostly) about the characters. Join the thousands-hundreds of thousands-how many Lupin fans even are there? who adore these five characters! Their collective main character trait is being really cool. The appeal of Zenigata does not seem to be as cool-focused, interestingly, but the others are just so irresistibly cool you can't stop watching their weird escapades! It's near impossible to pick a favorite, though- I love them all.
Rife with generalizations!
"Has No Known First Name" Lupin III. Walther P38. The grandson of French author Maurice Leblanc's gentleman thief character Arsène Lupin, or possibly just some guy who holds the title of the third. Dramatic, silly, and fun; cruel, calculating, and violent. Wants the treasure for... the thrill? The money? Lupin, he's a nice man. But he's cool, you know, he uses Walther.
Fujiko "the summit of Mt Fuji, or whatever" Mine. I don't think she has a signature weapon. Used to be each individual Bond Girl-type woman who appeared in chapters of the manga, coalesced into one character, sort of, when Monkey Punch decided to name almost every woman Fujiko Mine. Femme fatale extraordinaire. Schemes, betrays, manipulates, and takes advantage of her friends. Gem enthusiast. Has no set outfit. Wants the treasure to have the treasure. Everyone loves her oh so much.
Daisuke "I Love Dimensions" Jigen. Smith & Wesson model 19. Based on James Coburn's character in The Magnificent Seven which, no, I have not seen. He has a gun and he shoots it very well and draws it very quickly. Wants the treasure to tag along with Lupin, or something. American? He's Daisuke Jigen, and he don't take no crap.
Goemon "The Thirteenth of His Name" Ishikawa XIII. His Zantetsuken, or Ryuusei if you're reading the manga. The descendant of the real Goemon Ishikawa, who was basically Robin Hood and was boiled alive. Practically supernaturally talented swordsman. Either represents the joining of Japanese tradition with Western culture, or just really traditional for comedic reasons. Wants the treasure for the challenge. Cut... unworthy object... What a guy.
Inspector Koichi "Formerly Named Heiji" Zenigata ...VII? Handcuffs. The descendant of the fictional Heiji Zenigata, a skilled policeman who threw coins at criminals. Dresses like a 1940s noir detective. Selfish and obsessive, smart and cunning, cute and pathetic. The treasure is Lupin and he wants him because of a strong (and warped) sense of justice or for romantic and/or sexual reasons. Uh... quote... well, both of the lyrical versions of Zenigata March mention crying, I guess.
