Lupin III Returns to the Big Screen with a New 2D Animated Film

Fans of the Lupin III franchise have reason to celebrate as a brand-new anime movie is set to premiere in Japanese theaters in 2025. Announced via the official series website, the upcoming film, currently titled Lupin the IIIrd the Movie, is the franchise's first 2D animated feature in nearly three decades since Lupin III: Dead or Alive debuted in 1996. A teaser trailer for the film has already been unveiled, with an extended version slated to screen after the revival of the 1979 classic Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, hitting theaters later this month.

The upcoming movie will reunite beloved voice actors Kanichi Kurita, Akio Ootsuka, Miyuki Sawashiro, Daisuke Namikawa, and Kouichi Yamadera, all reprising their iconic roles. Leading the creative team is director Takeshi Koike, known for Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen Daisuke no Bohyou, with Yuuya Takahashi penning the script and James Shimoji composing the music. The production will be helmed by Telecom Animation Films, in collaboration with TMS Entertainment, with distribution managed by TOHO NEXT.

The Lupin III franchise continues to thrive, with its most recent series, Lupin III: Part 6, airing in 2021 and a prequel miniseries, Lupin Zero, streaming in early 2023. This upcoming film promises to recapture the magic of traditional animation while delivering the thrilling heist-filled adventures that fans have loved for generations.