Since its debut in 1967, Monkey Punch’s Lupin III has existed as a transmedia phenomenon, spanning manga, television, theatrical animation, video games, and merchandise. The franchise’s core premise—a charismatic master thief, Arsène Lupin III, and his eclectic crew (Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko) pulling off audacious capers—has proved remarkably adaptable across decades. Luping III The First (hereafter The First ) represents a pivotal moment: the first feature-length film rendered entirely in computer‑generated imagery (CGI) rather than traditional hand‑drawn cel animation.

These themes are reinforced through visual motifs (e.g., recurring shots of neon‑lit skylines juxtaposed with historic temple silhouettes) and through dialogue that references classic Lupin catch‑phrases (“I’m a thief, not a hero”).

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