This episode is sponsored by
Squarespace
How is that for an opening!
Happy holidays
Today, I bring to you the definitive
Best looking Japanese 3D animated film *ever*
Lupin III: The First
This is a 2019 action-comedy heist film
And the first 3D feature of the long-running Lupin III franchise
It tells a globe-trotting adventure set in the 1960s
In which gentleman thief Lupin III must steal a high tech weapon
Before the Nazi remnants find it
If that sounds kinda familiar
Hold that thought, we'll come back to it
Lupin III as a franchise has been popular in Japan
For over 50 years now
Yet it remains niche internationally
So, the series made this jump into 3D CG
To attract overseas viewers
Yet, despite its title, "The First"
This film is not a prequel
And it doesn't really explain itself much
So, that's what we are doing for this holiday
Let's explore the movie and the history behind it
So you can appreciate it to its fullest
Grab your hot cocoa
This is Lupin III: The First
[Lupin III: The Best Looking 3D Anime Ever]
[Chapter One]
Long-time viewers of this channel know that
I have... strong opinions regarding 3D anime
"Have you used a god d#mn blender before!?"
To be clear, I'm not the only one
3D animation has been a sore spot
In the anime industry for a while now
The question of "why can't Japan make good 3DCG"
Has been discussed on and off for decades
Some filmmakers see it as a good way
To push Japanese animation to the world
Miyazaki hates it
Like he hates everything else
So, it was particularly exciting when Lupin III: The First was released
And despite budget constrain
Gets everything right
What do I mean?
Let's start from the basics: Lighting
In nearly every shot, the lighting is carefully crafted
The warm key light comes from the far side
Highlighting the character's nose ridge, lips
And even the lapel of their jacket
It gives characters definition
The bluish fill light creates contrast
In both brightness and color
Characters are also given catch light
Which gives their eyes that endearing specular highlight
Finally, there's also the rim light
Highlighting the character's edge
It defines their silhouettes
And helps them pop from the background
Speaking of silhouettes, they are superb
Characters pop from one key pose to another
Reminiscent of a Tom and Jerry cartoon
This helps preserve visual clarity
Even in hectic action sequences
You can tell at a glance what each character is doing
That hat catch is such a nice touch
It helps that the compositions also guide your eyes
Here, red guard rails are used
To bring attention to Lupin
And in this shot, this dead tree and the mountains
Add a lot of visual noise
The non-important characters blend into the background
It shifts your attention to the left
Which has a bigger character against a single big mountain
I can keep praising this movie's visual
From the atmosphere
To character details
But I think you get the point
At every corner, this film is made with care and respect
Indeed, the crew brought in animators from the TV series
To ensure Lupin looks right in 3D
It's not an easy task
Because, befitting of a master in disguise
Lupin's visual style is ever-changing
But the film pulled it off with flying colors
Even to people unfamiliar with the character
The design remains instantly memorable and iconic
From just this, you can tell how much respect Lupin III commands
This brings us to the next question
Just... who the heck is Lupin?
[Sponsored Message]
If you are starting a Lupin III watch party this holiday
And you absolutely should
Then consider using Squarespace to create an invitation website
A personalized event website has so much more personality
Than a simple text email
You can put videos on it!
The best part?
It barely takes more time than crafting an email
Simply pick a template
Edit according, I just use stock images here
The editing process is intuitive
And the result always looks good
Even if you are a first-timer with high standards
Squarespace provides plenty of resources
To help you meet your expectations
There's also 24/7 customer support
So time zone is also not a concern
Start your free trial at squarespace.com/accentedcinema​
And use code ACCENTEDCINEMA
To get 10% off your first purchase
Want to make your events, businesses
Or portfolios that much more special?
Start a website with Squarespace
And show off your personality today
[Chapter Two]
So, who is Lupin III?
Well, you might be more familiar with his grandfather
Arsene Lupin
Written by French novelist Maurice Leblanc
The tales of Arsene Lupin is one of the early examples
Of the gentleman thief subgenre
From the unparallel skills and flirtatious personality
To a code of honor, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor
As well as sending out calling cards
Arsene may not be the first gentleman thief
But he established the tropes and popularized the archetype
Especially in Japan
In the 1920s, the works of Leblanc were translated into Japanese
And the romanticism found in those stories
Made a significant impact on the literature scene
For example, "The Fiend with Twenty Faces"
An antagonist created by Edogawa Ranpo
Bears a close resemblance to Arsene Lupin
If you are a Detective Conan fan
You'd know how much the works of Edogawa inspired the series
Sure enough, found in Detective Conan
Is yet another gentleman thief
Calling cards and all
Heck, Detective Conan even made a crossover with Lupin
From Tuxedo Mask in Sailor Moon
To Danjuro Tobita in My Hero Academia
Over the century, the gentleman thief
Has become a big part of Japanese pop culture
And Lupin III is one of the most popular
Created by manga artist Monkey Punch
(Yes, that's the name)
Lupin III, the character, is the grandson of Arsene
The manga series, started in 1967
Is a comedic slapstick take on the Leblanc stories
Sprinkled in with elements of sex, violence, and power fantasy
Lupin III and his friends would engage in various heists
Occasionally double-crossing each other
All while being chased by Interpol officer Zenigata
Basically, an adult-oriented Tom and Jerry
However, this mature edge wasn't always there
In the first anime adaptation, Lupin was rather mean-spirited
The audience didn't like it, and ratings were low
So, the production company fired the original director
And brought in newbie directors
Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata
To retool the series in a more family-friendly direction
Since then, every artist would inject their own personality into Lupin
Making it a tonally and visually very inconsistent franchises
Lupin would be a hedonistic narcissist in one movie
And a gentleman with a wounded soul in another
All of that sounds really bad
But it is absolutely not
I'll go into why later
Just know that in over 50 years
Lupin III has become one of Japan's most iconic characters
Spike from Cowboy Bebop
Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid
Joker from Persona 5
All took inspirations from Lupin III
The grandson has carried the legacy of his grandfather
In shaping Japanese pop culture
[Chapter Three]
So, here's a question:
Why am I recommending this for Christmas?
While it is not a Christmas movie
Lupin III: The First is a comforting film
Warm and familiar, befitting of the season
I mentioned that the Lupin franchise is tonally and visually inconsistent
And as you can see, it does vary a lot
Like... A LOT
Yet, this variety is very fitting
For a character with a folk character identity
Robin Hood, Zorro, The Three Musketeers, James Bond
From silly Men in Tights
To a sly fox in the forest
None of these characters have a definitive version
Lupin III is the same
He is whatever the writer needs him to be
The franchise is defined by reimagining
Like an old folk tale, it's comforting
That's what makes this movie so nice to watch
Speaking of James Bond
He was another big inspiration for Lupin III
From his killer instinct hidden by his playful exterior
To having a Bond girl in every movie
Lupin is Japan's 007
Although Bond movies were new back when Lupin III was created
The spy archetype has since become a pop culture cornerstone
Which in turn makes Lupin an instantly familiar and likeable character
Additionally, Takashi Yamazaki, the director of Lupin III: The First
Is a huge Hollywood buff
That explains why the film's story premise feels so familiar
It's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!
Racing against the Nazies for a mythical treasure
Together with three trials
And making fun of Hitler
Indiana Jones is, of course, Spielberg's and Lucas' reimagining
Of classic adventure film serials
Even the set pieces are familiar
But all done with a jazzy snazzy Lupin aesthetic
From its character to its story
To action, visual, and music
Everything in Lupin III fits right into the corner of our mind
Reserved for classic stories
It's the place you'll find characters
Like Frankenstein and Sherlock Holmes
A simple and nostalgic place
Full of imaginations and re-imaginations
[Conclusion]
With that, you can now jump into this film
And feel right at home
So, the last question is
Is this really the best movie to jump into the Lupin franchise?
Well, here is my case to the Lupin fans out there
I think the answer is "yes"
Its strong point is certainly its mainstream appeal
Its updated visual and soundtrack are spectacular
And the light plot is easy to follow for newcomers
I don't know about you, but for Christmas
All I want is something simple
Like punching nazis
While it may not be the best movie
Or even the most representative work
I think the film will leave people wanting just a bit more
And that's precisely what makes it a great entry film
So, I guess, in that sense
This movie does live up to its title
But you know what I really want to say?
For this holiday
Just cozy up with your loved ones
And make it a double feature with The Castle of Cagliostro
Let your dreams wonder in that nostalgic space
I promise
It'll be beautiful