Anime fans will get to see the an early story for gentleman thief Lupin III in the upcoming prequel show ‘Lupin Zero’ from TMS Entertainment. Set for a December 2022 release, HiDive has announced that they will stream the animated series to a North American audience.
“HIDIVE, home of the LUPIN THE 3RD anime series, has acquired exclusive rights to the new spin-off series LUPIN ZERO,” they said online. “Set in the 1960s during Japan’s Showa Era, this original anime story centers on a teenaged Lupin III and delves into his untold origins as the world’s greatest thief. LUPIN ZERO will run for six episodes and debuts on Sunday, December 16 on HIDIVE.”
The anime will be directed by Daisuke Sakou, character designs are being handled by Asami Taguchi, and Ichirou Okouchi acts as series supervisor.
HiDive President and General Manager John Ledford celebrated the acquisition, saying, “We’re thrilled to launch the new original anime LUPIN ZERO this December as an exclusive series only available on HIDIVE, home of the LUPIN THE 3RD anime series.”
“Lupin III has been entertaining audiences for over 50 years and this fan-favorite character is returning with all new mysteries – but this time as a teenager in junior high in 1960’s Tokyo. This new action series will not disappoint,” he added.
A trailer was released to promote the series:
In a press release obtained by Lupin Central, the show is described as follows,
“The LUPIN ZERO anime features a young, nameless, Lupin III running around the streets of 1960s Japan during the economic boom — the era simultaneous to Monkey Punch’s release of the manga.
How did this young boy become notorious gentleman thief “Lupin III”?
Since the initial serialization of Monkey Punch’s globally renowned “LUPIN THE 3rd” manga in 1967, Lupin III has taken the world by storm and has appeared in various media. However, despite his long-standing status and notoriety as the world’s greatest thief, there was once a time when even Lupin III, was young and inexperienced.
Loosely based on Young Lupin III from the original manga, LUPIN ZERO will tell a nostalgic, yet brand new original story, finally lifting the veil cast upon Lupin III’s humble beginnings. Set during the era in which the original series was first published, the anime depicts Young Lupin III running around the streets of 1960s Japan during the country’s economic boom.”
‘Lupin the 3rd’ is based on manga series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch whose original run began in 1967 and concluded in 1981. It would continue on under other writers and receive numerous anime content including TV shows and feature films.
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