The legendary Lupin III franchise is gearing up for a monumental celebration. Marking 55 years since the broadcast of the very first television episode in 1971, TMS Entertainment and Nippon Television have announced the Lupin III Masterpiece Selection, a curated broadcast block featuring fan-voted episodes from across the character's storied history. The special retrospective is scheduled to premiere on October 3, 2026, airing late Saturday nights on NTV with streaming support on TVer.
Based on Monkey Punch’s iconic manga, the franchise follows the world's greatest thief, Arsène Lupin III, alongside his trusty confederates Jigen Daisuke, Ishikawa Goemon XIII, and femme fatale Mine Fujiko, while evading the relentless Inspector Zenigata. For this anniversary broadcast, a massive fan poll determined a 13-episode lineup drawn from across multiple television series, celebrating the evolving animation styles and directors that shaped the master thief over half a century.
The poll results confirmed the top-ranking episodes for each major installment. Lupin III Part 1 secured its crown with "Is Lupin Burning?!", while Part 2 led with "Goodbye Beloved Lupin". Subsequent series winners include "Gold Bars Call Lupin" for Part III, "Lupin the Third's Marriage" for Part 4, "Lupin the Third is Forever" for Part 5, and "EPISODE 0 ―The Times―" for Part 6. Additionally, the gritty spin-off LUPIN the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine claimed the top spot with "Great Thief vs. Female Thief". The remaining six episodes rounding out the 13-part selection will remain a surprise until they air.
Adding a major incentive for longtime enthusiasts, the current principal voice cast—Kanichi Kurita (Lupin), Akio Otsuka (Jigen), Daisuke Namikawa (Goemon), Miyuki Sawashiro (Fujiko), and Koichi Yamadera (Zenigata)—has recorded exclusive introductions for the broadcasts. These special narrations were produced exclusively for this anniversary event, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes vocal treat.
As television landscapes change, Lupin III continues to remain a timeless anchor of Japanese animation culture. The special retrospective highlights the enduring creative vision of Monkey Punch's universe and the generations of artists who have kept the red and green jackets running across decades.
