Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Blu-ray Movie Review

Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is an action-packed series in the Lupin anime franchise. Originally broadcast on Bandai Channel and Nippon Television Network, Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine features animation production by Po10tial and TMS Entertainment (Lupin the 3^rd, Yowamushi Pedal). The opening theme for the series is performed by Ichiko Hashimoto & Naruyoshi Kikuchi and the ending theme is performed by NIKIIE & Pepe Tormento Azcarar. The series also features music production by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo).

Produced by Naoki Iwasa (Napping Princess, The Case of Hana & Alice), Toshio Nakatani (The World Is Still Beautiful, Lupin III: Crisis in Tokyo), and Yu Kiyozono (Lupin III: Part IV, Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone), the series is a unique adaptation of the source material created by Monkey Punch. Executive produced by Seiji Okuda (The Sky Crawlers, Summer Wars), Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine features the voices of Miyuki Sawashiro, Kanichi Kurita, Daisuke Namikawa, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Kanji Furutachi, Katsumi Chou, Kōichi Yamadera, and Yuuki Kaji. An exciting and unique spin within the Lupin saga.

Lupin III (Kanichi Kurita) meets Fujiko Mine (Miyuki Sawashiro). The tale of how Lupin met Fujiko unfolds as the story begins. Femme fatale Fujiko is involved in one of her greatest missions as she starts her journey. A cult leader is now acquiring treasure – stealing countless and bountiful treasures.

The characters are on a fast-paced mission to see who can be first to steal the treasures. Lupin wants everything as he aims to steal the bountiful riches. Yet Lupin might have fallen madly in love in the process. Can Fujiko come out ahead in this tale of thief-meets-thief?

The other Lupin characters are along for the journey, too. Goemon Ishikawa (Daisuke Namikawa), Daisuke Jigen (Kiyoshi Kobayashi), and Inspector Zenigata (Kōichi Yamadera) are essential to the production. The ensemble cast remains one of the best things about the Lupin franchise.

The character designs by Takeshi Koike (Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko Mine's Lie, Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon's Blood Spray) are outstanding. The designs for the series remain true to the original characters and the vision established from the beginning while shaping these designs with new stylistic flourishes that sets the series apart from past installments. The sophisticated and stylish designs are distinctive in the Lupin franchise without forgetting the past.

The animation is so creative – the animators approached the material with a unique vision. The series art direction by Seiki Tamura (Mr. Osomatsu, The Rolling Girls) is excellent and works well within the story. The art style is ambitious and the animators exude confidence with their approach to these characters and their world. The art is also accentuated by the excellent cinematography by Takahiro Uezono (Paprika, Death Note) and Toyonori Yamada (Gurren Lagann, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches).

The score composed by Naruyoshi Kikuchi (Trigun, Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt) is excellent fun and works well within the franchise roots while feeling a bit distinct from other Lupin series. The score might not follow the exact same path established by longtime Lupin composer Yuji Ohno. Despite a change in composers, the music works well – and the change arguably makes at least some sense given the art approach was different with this particular Lupin outing.

Written by Mari Okada (A Lull in the Sea, anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day), Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine has strong scripting and there is a lot to appreciate about that aspect of the series. Okada does good work here. The dialogue is fun and full of charm. The sense of adventure is in the script.

Director Sayo Yamamoto (Texhnolyze, Ergo Proxy) brings a compelling vision Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. Yamamoto is a strong filmmaker and the unique visual approach for Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is no doubt because of their approach to the Lupin franchise. The result is something distinct and memorable. Lupin fans will certainly want to check out this unique offering in the long-running franchise.

Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray from Anime Limited, Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The animation is crisp and colorful on the release. The encoding is excellent and exudes an exemplary presentation quality. The video bit-rates are impressive and surpass streaming options. A quality presentation effort by distributor Anime Limited.

Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 in 24-bit, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 in 24-bit, and Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 in 16 bit. The high-quality lossless audio encoding on the release is impressive and works wonders for the series audio presentation. Though the English dub has a slight advantage with 24 bit high-resolution audio and surround sound mixing, the Japanese language track still sounds clear and easy to understand. The dialogue is well reproduced. The score has adequate room for quality dynamics and the audio soundstage is impressive. Fans will be pleased with the quality assortment of audio selections on the release.

Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release is packaged in a deluxe chipboard art box and includes a 32-page booklet with illustrations, and interviews.

On disc extras include:

Disc 1:

Episode 6 Audio Commentary with Brina Palencia & Josh Grelle

English Credit Sequences (Episodes 1-8) (HD, 10:41)

Disc 2:

Episode 9 Audio Commentary with Christopher R. Sabat & Sonny Strait

The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Cast Reunion (HD, 26:34)

Fujiko Mine at Okratron 5000 (HD, 5:46)

Japanese Announcement Trailer (HD, 1:39)

Original English Trailer (HD, 1:25)

Remastered Edition Trailer (HD, 1:45)

Art Gallery includes 58 click-through images.

Creditless Opening Sequence (HD, 1:31)

Creditless Ending Sequences (HD, 2:42)

Non-Vocal Opening Sequence (HD, 1:31)

English Opening Sequence (HD, 1:31)

English Credit Sequences (Episodes 9-13) (HD, 6:41)

Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is a fun adventure for long-time fans of the Lupin anime franchise. The series has compelling animation and there is a lot to appreciate about the production. The series is smart, stylish, and fun. The Blu-ray release features excellent video and audio. The release comes with a selection of bonus features. Lupin fans will want to own the release. Highly recommended.