Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline — Review

Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline (Lupin the IIIrd The Movie: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku) arrives as a decisive chapter in the Lupin the IIIrd sub-series, acting as the narrative payoff for over a decade of OVAs and storytelling threads. This feature-length entry blends supernatural dread, high-octane action, and character introspection to deliver a film that feels both like a climax and a love letter to long-time fans. Below, we break down what makes this film stand out and why it’s worth watching—especially after catching up with the prior OVAs.

Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline — a visually lush and tension-filled finale for the sub-series.

Overview: Where This Film Fits in the Lupin Canon

This movie functions as the climactic sequel to the Lupin the IIIrd sub-series that began in 2012. Many characters and plot threads introduced across four OVAs converge here, so the film opens with a concise recap to bring viewers up to speed. That setup is more than serviceable; it reinforces stakes and reminds us why Lupin and his crew are repeatedly targeted. If you’ve followed the IIIrd sub-series, this feature acts as a satisfying capstone—if not, the recap helps orient new viewers.

Plot and Setting: Bermuda Triangle Meets High-Stakes Heist

The story centers on Lupin and his gang traveling to a mysterious island concealed in the Bermuda Triangle, purportedly to confront the mastermind behind repeated attacks on them. Naturally, Zenigata is on their tail. Once stranded, the island quickly reveals its true danger: a poisonous mist turning inhabitants into near-zombies, and a force that seems to defy death—enemies who can shrug off even fatal gunshots. What begins as a rescue/retaliation mission morphs into a desperate race against time to escape an island that is itself a living threat.

Supernatural Tension and Survival

The Bermuda Triangle backdrop allows the film to explore more supernatural beats than the OVAs, while still maintaining grounded physical consequences. The island’s surreal architecture—temples, wrecked ships, abandoned military hardware—feels like a character in its own right, and the encroaching mist provides a constant pressure that keeps the pacing taut. The survival aspect gives the film emotional weight: the idea of becoming a hollow, mindless version of yourself is treated as more horrifying than death, tying directly into Lupin’s personal stakes.

Thematic Core: Why Lupin Steals—and What He Really Values

At its heart, the film interrogates whether figures like Lupin and his crew have a place in the world. They are thieves and rogues, yet their actions often lead to larger evils being stopped. Rather than provide an explicit moral verdict, the film invites viewers to decide for themselves while emphasizing what motivates Lupin: memories. The items he steals carry emotional significance beyond material value, and the threat of losing those memories—of becoming a zombie stripped of self—becomes a profound affront to him.

Identity, Memory, and Purpose

The film uses the zombie-like transformation as a metaphor for erasure. Lupin’s refusal to accept that state reinforces his humanity; he values connection and memory more than treasure alone. This emotional throughline elevates the action sequences beyond spectacle and gives the finale an affecting resonance.

Action, Animation, and Visual Design

One of the film’s strongest assets is its animation. Action scenes are fluid, sharply choreographed, and detailed—every hit, tumble, and fall carries weight. The film retains a level of grittiness from the OVAs without relying on gore; injuries matter, characters pay physical consequences, and the fantasy elements never erase the realism of combat. The island’s visual design is striking: a collage of nautical ruins and exotic ruins that amplifies the film’s eerie atmosphere.

Direction That Honors the Franchise

Direction and staging treat Lupin’s world with seriousness while preserving his trademark cunning. The film manages to balance suspense and trademark heist ingenuity, pushing Lupin’s detective-like intellect to work against an enemy that appears to have no weakness—forcing inventive problem-solving rather than brute force alone.

Soundtrack and Music Choices

Unlike some entries in the franchise, the score here is restrained. There’s no overbearing big-band theme during action beats; instead, understated compositions amplify tension and mood. For those seeking a memorable theme, the film’s main song—“The IIIrd Eye” by B'z—provides an upbeat earworm that contrasts the score’s seriousness and lingers after the credits.

Who Should Watch It?

Fans of Lupin who have followed the IIIrd sub-series will find this film particularly rewarding, as it ties together multiple story arcs and pays off long-developing character beats. Even casual viewers will appreciate the film’s craft—strong animation, compelling stakes, and a thought-provoking thematic core—though newcomers will get more from the experience if they watch the preceding OVAs first.

Pros

• Gorgeous, kinetic action animation
• Thoughtful character themes about memory and identity
• Atmospheric setting that functions as a narrative engine

Cons

• Relies on prior OVA context for maximum impact
• Tonally darker and more restrained—less of the classic upbeat Lupin musical flourishes some expect

Final thoughts

Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline is a confident, well-animated entry that closes a long-running sub-arc while asking meaningful questions about identity, memory, and purpose. It proves that Lupin’s adventures can still surprise by blending supernatural stakes with grounded, consequence-driven action. For fans of the series and viewers who appreciate animated films that balance spectacle with substance, this movie is a memorable and rewarding watch—especially after experiencing the OVAs that build to it.

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