Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Lupin the 3rd: Goodbye Partner Blu-ray Movie Review

Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is an exciting and action-packed adventure in the popular franchise. The film features animation produced by TMS Entertainment (Case Closed, Lupin III: Part IV). Created by Monkey Punch, Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is produced by Hiroyuki Inage (Run with the Wind, Flying Witch), Kōji Nozaki (Lupin the Third: Part 5, Lupin III: Prison of the Past), and Masaki Shiode (Wonder Egg Priority, Lupin III Italian Game). The feature-film highlights voice performances by Kanichi Kurita, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Kōichi Yamadera, Junichi Suwabe, Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sawashiro, Risa Uchida, Minako Kotobuki, Tsuyoshi Koyama, and Yōji Ueda.

Broadcast in Japan on the Nippon Television Network, Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is the 26^th television special in the long-running franchise history. Produced by TMS Entertainment, Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner features an appearance by Znowden (as a portrayal of Edward Snowden). In the words of Snowden himself, “It’s like a lifetime achievement award. Lupin is one of my favorite series.” – Edward Snowden

Lupin III (Kanichi Kurita) might be the king of the thieves but he finds himself becoming betrayed in the game of cat-and-mouse thieving by his longtime ally Daisuke Jigen (Kiyoshi Kobayashi). Following the arrest of Inspector Zenigata (Kōichi Yamadera), news breaks that suggests Lupin the Third was never actually the game-changing thief he was thought to be. Credit is given to Lupin’s old man – his dad!

After the damaged ego, Lupin sets forth on a new mission - Roy Forest (Junichi Suwabe) has hired him to capture the rare time crystal. The time crystal is a special government project. The project is a super-secret computer capable of decrypting passwords faster than ever before. Can Lupin steal the time crystal and get back his proper credit as one of the world’s greatest thieves of all time?

The characters run the show. The cast of characters are a bundle of joy. Lupin just wouldn’t be the same without the great ensemble cast. These characters add plenty of spunk to the production. There is a lot of love for these characters in the filmmaking – and the production team does great work. The designs for the characters are by Hirotaka Marufuji (Lupin III: Prison of the Past, Lupin the 3rd Part 6). Marufuji stays true to the essence of the original designs while adding something new (in a faithful manner that preserves the integrity of the designs).

The animation is outstanding and a huge highlight of the production. The animation features art direction by Beom Seon Lee (The Eminence in Shadow, The Honor Student at Magic High School) alongside animation direction by chief Hirotaka Marufuji (Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us). Additional animation direction is provided with contributions by Koji Yamakawa, Masahito Yamashita, Narumi Kakinouchi, Sadahiko Sakamaki, Satoshi Hirayama, Takuya Tani, and Yooko Kadokura. The storyboards by Jun Kawagoe are a great highlight of the production, too.

The cinematography by Jiro Tazawa (Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon's Blood Spray, Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone) is outstanding and a natural highlight of the production. The cinematography has remarkable merits – highlighting the beauty of the animation. There is plenty to appreciate.

The score composed by Yuji Ohno (Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo) is one of the best elements of the television special. Ohno is a first-rate composer and the visionary behind the legacy of the franchise. The film would not be the same without the quality contributions of Ohno. These aspects of the film add so much wonder to the experience. A truly exceptional score.

Written by Takehiko Hata (Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis, The Aurora), Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is an ambitious and fun action-packed film. Hata has a good time playing in the sandbox of the franchise and exploring the character dynamics. Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is a nice television special, providing plenty of great comedic moments for fans to enjoy.

Directed by Jun Kawagoe (Lupin III: Operation Return the Treasure, New Getter Robo), Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is a must-see special. The filmmaking is excellent – there is so much worthwhile to explore. The film has great action and the director brought the best out of the production. Fans will certainly enjoy in the spectacle.

Lupin the 3rd: Goodbye Partner Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the broadcast 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The presentation on the release is excellent. The clarity of the presentation is superb. The video quality is excellent – providing superb depth to the encode. The transfer capably presents the animation and line art is well reproduced on the release. A good release by Discotek Media.

Lupin the 3rd: Goodbye Partner Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo and Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo (with English subtitles). The film has an excellent lossless presentation. The audio is crisp and clear on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced. The sound direction by Youji Shimizu (Lupin the 3rd: Blood Seal of the Eternal Mermaid, Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine) is highlighted in a compelling manner. The score is a special part of the film and the encode capably preserves the soundtrack.

Lupin the 3rd: Goodbye Partner Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

English Trailers (HD, 2:49)

Creditless Opening & Ending (HD, 3:23)

International English Credits (HD, 1:53)

Art Gallery includes 311 click-through slides of illustrations.

Lupin the 3rd: Goodbye Partner Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lupin the Third: Goodbye Partner is an entertaining action-adventure film. Fans of the classic action-adventure series will this a worthwhile and rewarding entry. Fans won't want to miss it. The Blu-ray release provides a strong video and audio presentation alongside a selection of extras – noteworthy because of the inclusion of a generous 311-page selection of illustrations. Highly recommended.