Lupin III: Alcatraz Connection

AnimeObasan★ 7

This is definitely one of the better Lupin specials. I feel like when trying to convince a friend or fellow anime fan to watch Lupin you really have to pick and choose from the specials/movies to really draw them in. This one is great for people who are newish to the franchise. The (non-main) characters are less exaggerated and it even takes place in America. STORY: You have to watch it really closely right off the bat, which is great. Not for plot purposes, but to catch the gang in disguise. I loved that about this special, that for the most part the gang hasplanned things out and not just "Surprise! I get to win because I have a utility belt full of just the right tools!" (that only happens once in the movie and Zenigata addresses it openly). I think this special has one of the better bad guy storylines. It could have been much better developed, though. If there was a sequel to this with all the same characters (or prequel, based on their fates)it would work out well. I can kind of see why this anime hasn't been dubbed, though, because it focuses on the JFK conspiracy and doesn't pay it nearly enough attention. Again, it's a 90+ minute movie and could have been much longer to better address both the characters and the story. ART: No complaints here. The animation looks good and details are fantastic. The characters (no matter how minor) are well animated. I love LOVE when there's hints to secrets in the animation, and you see that here (in trying to figure out who the leader of a mysterious organization is). Another favorite plot point of mine is when something happens early on in the movie/show that later is brought up, which happens here. SOUND: No complaints, again. Lupin's voice is so recognizable that at one point when he's in disguise Zenigata picks him out by his voice alone. CHARACTER: One of the bad guys pulls a Kaiser Soze and it's obvious that it's going to happen, so you're kind of waiting for it and it's so gratifying when it does. Zenigata had two responses to Lupin that literally had me laughing out loud. The way the scenes were animated was so out of the ordinary for the Lupin franchise. And we get to see both Jigen and Goemon in disguise, which (for Goemon) is a rare treat!

Azuki-zenzai★ 5

With a franchise as old as Lupin III some lows are expected. Alcatraz Connection isn't a low, exactly, but the comparison with other installments is inevitable. With such a wacky track record, the worst thing a Lupin III installment can be is boring. Alcatraz Connection isn't boring. It's fun and wacky in it's own way. The cartoonish features are to the max in the special and I think that's quite nice. Lupin and Jigen are fine and their usual selfs. Zenigata is maybe the best thing in the special, he's sharp and funny. Unfortunately the shorter end of the stick ended up with Goemon andFujiko. Fujiko is a character that more often than not is done dirty by writers (no pun intended). A lot of times she's given nothing to do besides being fanservice, and most of the times I can get past that. But in Alcatraz Connection not only does she do basically nothing, she actively hinders the other characters, is constantly whining and is absurdly incompetent. It was very annoying, I was expecting some backstabbing, some manipulation, some gun action from her and nothing. If you're a Fujiko fan, this special isn't for you. And Goemon. Now, the "Goemon is tricked by the infatuation he has on this random woman" is a staple and I know that. But at least other installments in the Lupin III franchise build that subplot up a bit more, this one just throws it out of nowhere. Goemon is still a badass with a sword, but he is very much underused here. The appeal of Lupin III comes primarily from it's characters. And unfortunately Alcatraz Connection doesn't deliver completely on that end, because 2 of the 5 man-band are lacking. There are some enjoyable and funny scenes and the plot is mostly ok, so it wasn't a waste of time and I wouldn't even say I hate this special. But it sure won't be one of my favorites.