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Chapter 29-"Black Point"
Characters- Lupin, Goemon, Jigen, Lupin's girl, Majin/Sinpei Mayama, 2 henchmen, Majin's girl
Synopsis- Conclusion to "Master Goemon&", Lupin's still after the alchemy formula, but is now having to
deal with a friend of Goemon's, Majin.
Firsts-
Links to animated Lupin- The climatic battle between Lupin and Majin is between Lupin and Goemon in episode 5 of the first
series, and from what I understand, in First Contact as well.
Review- Volume 4 starts off with a bang following a lightning strike! Not much in the story department in this one, because
it's all about Majin trying to kill Lupin. An awesome battle scene and a nice twist along with some funny parts add up to
a pretty good story. 7.5/10
Notes-On the last page, "man" is misspelled as "many".
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Chapter 30-"Crime's a Disease"
Characters- Lupin, Jigen, Fujiko, Lupin's boss, Lupin's Dalmatian, Fujiko's henchmen
Synopsis- Lupin's working for the Ichiban Detective Agency to steal files from Toustu Travel and his hideous boss really
likes.
Firsts- First appearance of Lupin's Dalmatian
Links to animated Lupin-
Review- I used to think that Monkey Punch couldn't draw an ugly woman if he tried. I was proven wrong by Lupin's boss.
Besides that, the chapter is about average. Jigen displays his sharpshooting skills here, and a woman hits on Lupin. Not
much action or comedy, but there are some amusing moments, such as when Lupin's pursuit of Fujiko is cut-off. 6/10
Notes-
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Chapter 31-"You Dirty Rats"
Characters- Lupin, Fujiko, Jigen, Zenigata, Rat Clan members, Det. Bungo, cops
Synopsis- After a failed assassination, Fujiko and her boyfriend are rethinking their strategy for taking down Lupin as
Zenigata shows up, looking for a missing painting.
Firsts- Debut of the Rat Clan
Links to animated Lupin- I just think it's a coincidence, but my brother says that the guy with the eyepatch in the episode,
"Stop the Counterfeit Money Maker" is Fujiko's boyfriend in this story.
Review- Not bad. The Old Man's back, searching for a Picasso painting. The artwork is above average (Fujiko looks sexier
here, for some reason) but Fujiko's boyfriend rubs me the wrong way. I don't know what I didn&'t like about him, but
he really stands out in my list of Lupin villains. The comedy flows throughout, with an interesting revelation at the end.
8/10
Notes-
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Chapter 32-"Double the Pleasure"
Characters- Lupin, Jigen, Linda, Rachika, Shirage, Rachika's assassin
Synopsis- There are two sisters, and Lupin wants the tattoos on their backs because they lead to treasure. Of course,
there's one problem: the sisters are trying to kill each other!
Firsts-
Links to animated Lupin- This chapter became the episode from the second series, English title, "Twins Pique".
Review- Pretty good. Not much here I can say without spoiling it, so, I'll just say this, prepare for some laughs at
the expense of Lupin and Jigen, along with another surprise ending. 9/10
Notes-
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Chapter 33-"Lupin of Arabia"
Characters- Lupin, Fujiko, Zenigata, Gen. Panuk, Panuk's men, a bread thief
Synopsis- Lupin's in a middle eastern country and has found a nuclear missile, however, Panuk and Zenigata have found
him.
Firsts- Debut of General Panuk
Links to animated Lupin- The ending to this became the ending of the first TV episode, "Farewell, Loveable Witch"
Review- Urg. Not one of my favorites. The art is good, as always, but Zeni and Panuk's facial expressions just before
Lupin gets rid of them is a bit exaggerated for a Lupin story. There are few funny moments in this one, but mostly where
comedy was attempted, it failed. And the ending seemed it was just an excuse to get Fujiko naked and to throw in some physical
humor (the only really funny part). 3.5/10
Notes-
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Chapter 34-"The Stealing Game"
Characters- Lupin, Fujiko, Gen. Panuk, Lupin's Dalmatian, Fujiko's goons
Synopsis- Now Fujiko's got the missile from last chapter, and Lupin's trying to get it back.
Firsts-
Links to animated Lupin- Lupin and Fujiko's charade was used again in "Farewell, Loveable Witch"
Review-This is better. Lupin vs. Fujiko. Nice comedy throughout, mostly slapstick, some verbal, definitely an improvement
over last chapter. If anything, pick it up for the ending. 8.5/10
Notes-Death of General Panuk (I think)
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Chapter 35-"Drunken Masters&"
Characters- Lupin, Fujiko, Zenigata, various cops, girl, bald guy
Synopsis- Lupin is smashed. After playing with a lighter, he drunkenly staggers into a trap set up by Zenigata.
Firsts- First time Zenigata breaks the law purposely
Links to animated Lupin-
Review- (drunkenly) Well, ya shee, this 'shapter's a good 'un be-(hic) because it's funny t-to shee-Lupin's actions wh-when
he'sh drunk (falls, gets up) y'know, crashin' into stuff, shingin shongs, ect. It's mostly a humorish chaptah, especiall-(hic)-especially
the 'nding, y'know, w-with Zenigata. Hm, this isn't soda, is it? 8 (hic)/10
Notes-
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Chapter 36-"Tough Love"
Characters- Lupin, Zenigata, a father, his son and daughter, a loan shark, various cops
Synopsis- A kid has blood on his hands, and Lupin's gonna show him what it means to be a killer.
Firsts-
Links to animated Lupin-
Review-Wow. A story with a message? Well, as you may have known by now, I'm always up for a laugh, and this chapter
delivers them in the beginning, but the story then takes a turn towards the serious. As I said earlier, I enjoy a change
of pace every so often. A good story with a strong message behind it. 10/10
Notes-
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Chapter 37-"Lupin the Third vs. Arséne Lupin"
Characters- Lupin III, Arséne Lupin, Doctors, Lupin's "bunnies", Riggs, Riggs' father
Synopsis- Lupin's taking a vacation, so for the next 4 weeks, we get to read about his earlier years. Part 1: Arséne
Lupin challenges his grandson to go thru the Lupin training facility
Firsts- First flashback, and debut of Young Lupin
Links to animated Lupin-
Review- We venture into Lupin's past with this one. Lupin's relationship with his grandpa is well-written, showing that
the "gentleman thief" from yesteryear is no longer a gentleman nor a thief, now he's a selfish, lustful, old man.
Young Lupin III is still a formidable foe, and the artwork depicts him as being experienced, yet still unsuspecting, like
he is when he's older. A great story, with a twist ending hinted thru the whole thing. 9/10
Notes-This is the last time Arséne Lupin appears until Chapter 90,"Cue the Trouble"
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Chapter 38-"Inheritance"
Characters- Lupin III, Arséne Lupin's friends, Arséne's "bunnies", Arséne's lawyer
Synopsis- Arséne Lupin is dead and his estate is being split up by lottery. Just pick a box!
Firsts-
Links to animated Lupin-
Review- Lupin's acting like his older self, now. However, his childlike curiosity causes him to get in some trouble in
the beginning. The artwork is still average for this series, especially the scene at the end of the "friends" crashing
into the mansion. This one has some slapstick and sexual humor, which works well here. One of the best Young Lupin stories.
9.5/10
Notes-
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Chapter 39-"Prodigy"
Characters- Lupin, Ms. K, a police inspector, cops, Lupin's thug
Synopsis- Lupin's worth 7.2 billion and the police are searching everywhere to find him!
Firsts- First appearance of the inspector
Links to animated Lupin-
Review- Lupin's on his own now, and that's where the real story is. Lupin outsmarts his opponents, who also get caught
amusingly in Arséne Lupin's traps. Like in Chapter 33, a moment here seemed to exist "just to get her naked", but
no nudity was actually shown, so that idea was thankfully dismissed (hm, that sounded better in my head). My least favorite
Young Lupin story, 8/10
Notes-
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