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IMDbPro

Rupan sansei: Walther P38

  • TV Movie
  • 1997
  • PG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
606
YOUR RATING
Rupan sansei: Walther P38 (1997)
AnimeActionAdventureAnimationComedyCrimeFantasyMysteryThriller

Lupin infiltrates the Tarantulas, an elite gang of assassins from a secret island base, over an incident from his past.Lupin infiltrates the Tarantulas, an elite gang of assassins from a secret island base, over an incident from his past.Lupin infiltrates the Tarantulas, an elite gang of assassins from a secret island base, over an incident from his past.

  • Directors
    • Seiji Mizushima
    • Hiroyuki Yano
  • Writers
    • Monkey Punch
    • Shôji Yonemura
  • Stars
    • Kan'ichi Kurita
    • Kiyoshi Kobayashi
    • Makio Inoue
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    606
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Seiji Mizushima
      • Hiroyuki Yano
    • Writers
      • Monkey Punch
      • Shôji Yonemura
    • Stars
      • Kan'ichi Kurita
      • Kiyoshi Kobayashi
      • Makio Inoue
    • 8User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos4

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    Top cast28

    Edit
    Kan'ichi Kurita
    Kan'ichi Kurita
    • Arsene Lupin III
    • (as Kanichi Kurita)
    Kiyoshi Kobayashi
    Kiyoshi Kobayashi
    • Daisuke Jigen
    Makio Inoue
    Makio Inoue
    • Goemon Ishikawa
    Eiko Masuyama
    Eiko Masuyama
    • Fujiko Mine
    Gorô Naya
    Gorô Naya
    • Inspector Zenigata
    Masuo Amada
    • Hawk
    • (voice)
    Troy Baker
    Troy Baker
    • Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    John Burgmeier
    John Burgmeier
    • Victor "Viki" Flannegan
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Chris Cason
    Chris Cason
    • Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Justin Cook
    Justin Cook
    • Jack
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Jerome Fifty-Seven
    • Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    • (as Brandon Bristow)
    Caitlin Glass
    Caitlin Glass
    • Ellen, Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Show Hayami
    • Jack
    • (voice)
    Kyle Hebert
    Kyle Hebert
    • Clyde, Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Meredith McCoy
    Meredith McCoy
    • Fujiko Mine
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Mike McFarland
    Mike McFarland
    • Goemon Ishikawa, Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    Ken'ichi Ogata
    Ken'ichi Ogata
    • Boma
    • (voice)
    Justin Pate
    • Additional Voices
    • (English version)
    • (voice)
    • Directors
      • Seiji Mizushima
      • Hiroyuki Yano
    • Writers
      • Monkey Punch
      • Shôji Yonemura
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    7.2606
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    10

    Featured reviews

    7emasterslake

    More Dark and violent than the other Lupin anime

    This Lupin the 3rd TV movie is different than the other ones.

    It has more violence and the plot to it is more dark. Still has some humor in it but not a whole lot.

    Lupin has to face the most dangerous group of Assassins ever. Who are trained/savaged killers. Lupin also tries to find his lost famous Wather P38 he use to own.

    The animation is very smooth and well done.

    Character designs are different than the previous TV movies character designs.

    This may very well be the most violent Lupin the 3rd anime ever.

    It's still worth seeing. I give it an 8/10
    7lost-in-limbo

    "There's one too many Walthers in this world".

    Somewhat a change of pace and tone, even in its animation, when compared to the first few bright and lively TV specials. Lupin the Third: Island of Assassins, which I much prefer original title Lupin the Third: Walther P38, had rather a distinctively punchy, somber and violent approach. Sort of mixing together an intriguing whodunnit angle with a ludicrous conspiracy laced adventure sub-plot like out of a James Bond film. The story delves into a past incident of a mysterious figure shooting a familiar looking Walther P38 at Lupin falling out of a plane, well, it's déjà vu, as during a heist, in what looks like a set-up, Lupin's arch nemesis Interpol inspector Zenigata is shot by the same mysterious figure and elegant pistol from Lupin's past. Being framed for the shooting, this leads Lupin to the island of the Tarantula assassins, where he and co go about trying to uncover this shooter from his past, while also stealing the Tarantula's massive gold fortune.

    The game plan is set, but it doesn't go so smoothly, as chaos erupts and the revelation to who set it all in motion shows their true self. Action, when it occurs, hits hard and fast with few bang-up scenes in the opening and closing sequences. Once the story hits the island, the operation rarely leaves and it can hit a bit of a bump as it slowly chugs along. In doing so, it felt like it could've been tighter and a little less self-contained, but this opened up a relationship struck between Lupin and one of the assassins, Ellen. The script gave it an opportunity to dig a little deeper into Lupin's psyche, and background showing a serious side whenever he's not being coy. This is powerfully projected in its final melancholy scenes of self-sacrifice and pure reflection - finishing on a beautiful end credits song "Don't Forget My Eyes" by Emi Shinohara, the Japanese voice actress of Ellen and who also did voice work for Sailor Moon and Project A-Ko.
    BrianDanaCamp

    More gunplay than comedy in this unusual Lupin III entry

    This 90-minute TV special from 1997 is much more of an action thriller than a typical comic caper from the long-running series of Japanese animated action comedies featuring the charming master thief, Lupin III (a descendant of Arsene Lupin). It boasts an elaborate island setting-the home of the Tarantula assassin syndicate, whose gold stash is targeted by Lupin and his crew. All who arrive on the island, including Lupin and his three cohorts, are poisoned and kept alive only by the island's native sulfuric gas. Leaving the island means certain death without a mask with a 24-hour supply of the gas. Lupin and company are betrayed at one point by the island's doctor, who turns out to be a onetime partner who had double-crossed Lupin on their first job, seen in lengthy flashbacks.

    This is as fast-paced and action-packed as any Lupin III film, but is far more violent than normal for the series. There is lots of shooting, bloodshed, and killing, including deaths of the innocent. There is no sexual innuendo in this one and the comely Fujiko keeps her clothes on for once. (Bummer!) A very nice jazz score makes good use of the standard Lupin theme. Fans of hardcore anime action who've steered clear of Lupin III because of the comedy may find this entry a suitable means of introduction to one of Japan's most popular animated series.
    5mimmoesposito

    a wasted opportunity

    Then I am the first person who will not speak highly enough of this film. So for me this film really shows potential because we have never seen a much more violent and bloody Lupine III film. And yet this river was truly a disappointment for me because a good oneit really had potential But I never understand these things that really get on my nerves. That is, you make a very violent and bloody film and it's that you add comedy and that's what's worse than these things that aren't funny at all, for example that Fujiko gives Lupine a slapThese things aren't funny to me at all and the villains. That is, the tarantulas are badly used in the film. She's the main villain, thrown at random. The only positive thing about this film is Ellen who, for me, was a really good character but you need another film. Failure of Lupine IIIWhat a shame with something like this that was really wasted to conclude the vote 5.
    6enricoshapka

    A pretty violent Lupin

    Lupin iii film 19

    The thing that strikes the most in this particular film are the many violent and bloody scenes which are not a common thing in Lupin films.

    The tone is more serious this time and the characters are fighting for their lives, the treasure is a 2nd priority.

    As for the characters, Zenigata is basically cut out of the film, and the others are always in help of Lupin, but nothing memorable.

    It's a forgettable Lupin film only for true fans.

    Now for the characters review limit: The thing that strikes the most in this particular film is the many violent and bloody scenes which is not a common thing in Lupin films.

    The tone is more serious this time and the characters are fighting for their lives, the treasure is a 2nd priority.

    As for the characters, Zenigata is basically cut out of the film, and the others are always in help of Lupin, but nothing memorable.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The file Victor brings to Inspector Zenigata in the hospital reads "Cagliostro" and has images of the Count of Cagliostro and his castle, from a previous Lupin adventure Le Château de Cagliostro (1979).
    • Goofs
      The newspaper article on Zenigata being shot reads as "Nspector Zenigata Shooted" when it should be "Inspector Zenigata Shot".
    • Quotes

      Inspector Zenigata (voice: English version): That's the way I work! I don't care about governments, I only care about stopping evil wherever I see it! And that's the code I live by!

    • Crazy credits
      In the closing credits, a bird flies across the island's various locations and finally up into the sky.
    • Connections
      Followed by Rupan sansei: Honô no kioku Tokyo Crisis (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Lupin III Theme ('97 version)
      Music & Arrangement by [ink=nm0645156]

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    FAQ

    • Why did Zenigata flatline if the bullet didn't do serious damage?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 1997 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Spanish
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Lupin III: Island of Assassins
    • Production companies
      • Kyokuichi Tokyo Movie Shinsha
      • Nippon Television Network (NTV)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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