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Lupin the Third - Figures

For over 50 years, Lupin III has been one of the most popular anime franchises in Japan. To avoid copyright issues, the series was originally released outside of Japan under the name "Rupan" or "Wolf." However, the response, especially to the manga's offbeat yet mature exploits, remained positive under any name. The master thieves have inspired a multitude of merchandise over their half-century of existence. Most modern merchandise and figurines are inspired by the anime series and films of the 2010s. Three such modern-design Lupin the Third figurines are "Lupin the Third Q Posket Fujiko Mine," "Lupin the Third Creator x Creator Inspector Zenigata," and "SH Figuarts Lupin the Third."

Lupine the Third Q Posket Fujiko Mine Figurine

This figure from Banpresto's Q Posket line features Lupin's female fetal companion, Fujiko Mine, in chibi form. Fujiko wears a shiny, skin-tight jumpsuit with boots and a studded belt. She stands seductively, one hand holding the jumpsuit's raised collar and the other pulling the zipper down to expose her torso. The sculpt details show the folds of fabric around her waist resulting from the jumpsuit's opening and the natural fabric gathered at the knees and tops of her boots. Her voluminous '70s-style hair is sculpted to show off all its waves and curls. The paint details on her hair feature a soft gradient from bright orange at the roots to a darker auburn at the ends. The figure comes with three jumpsuit color options: black, red, or white. All color options include a touch of red polish on her manicured nails.

Product Name: Lupin the Third Q Posket: Fujiko Mine
Manufacturer: Banpresto
Features: Painted figure, non-articulated, non-scale, with stand
Height (approx.): 14 cm | 5.5 in

Lupin the Third - Figures, Japan proximity, figurine

Lupin the Third Creator x Inspector Zenigata Figure

Inspector Zenigata sits grumpily in his office chair in this figure from Banpresto's Creator x Creator line. The inspector doesn't sit normally in his chair. He sits sideways with his legs bent over the armrest. His long brown trench coat falls over the side of the seat. He dangles his untied left boot from the end of his socked foot. His fedora is tilted downward over his face, and his expression is fixed in a disgruntled scowl. The office chair has been carefully sculpted to show realistic details, particularly on the base and wheels. Zenigata's sideburns extend to his cleft chin with the same line details as his manga drawing. His eyelashes are delicately painted, although they are obscured by his hat.

Product Name: Lupin the Third Creator x Creator Inspector Zenigata
Manufacturer: Banpresto
Sculptor: Hisatake Kiyama
Features: Painted figure, non-articulated, non-scale, with chair
Height (approx.): 11 cm | 4.3 in

Lupin the Third figurine by SH Figuarts

The gentleman burglar himself, Lupin the Third, gets a fully articulated figure in the SH Figuarts line. He wears his blue blazer, black shirt, and red tie from the Jigen's Gravestone version with a silver tie clip. His bulky brown boots look appropriately large next to his slender legs, maintaining the exaggerated proportions of the character design. The shoes also balance the figure in wilder action poses. The figure comes with 8 interchangeable hands and 4 facial expressions. Lupin's endearingly goofy personality shines through with his laughter and goofy grin. The neutral smile and winking grimace show his good-natured side. Accessories include his Walther P38 pistol, watch, and tether. The tether is made of flexible wire for gravity-defying action poses.

Product Name: Lupine III by SH Figuarts
Manufacturer: Bandai
Features: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS and PVC figure
Height (approx.): 150 mm | 5.9

The story of the third series of Lupin

The grandson of the great gentleman burglar Arsène Lupin, Lupin III continues the family legacy as the greatest thief of his generation. Lupin flaunts his skills by publicly announcing his heist plans and sending a calling card to the owners of the items he plans to steal. This attracts the attention of Interpol agent Inspector Koichi “Pops” Zenigata, who devotes his career to tracking Lupin down. Lupin does not work alone. He is accompanied by his second-in-command, marksmanship expert Daisuke Jigen. They are sometimes joined by Goemon XIII, a descendant of the legendary samurai Ishikawa Goemon who inherited his ancestor’s swordsmanship skills. Lupin’s love interest, Fujiko Mine, joins the group for some heists, sometimes as an ally and sometimes using her wiles to steal the treasure.

Development of the third series of Lupin

The manga Lupin III (Lupin III) first appeared in Weekly Manga Action in August 1967. The series, written and illustrated by Monkey Punch, drew inspiration from Maurice LeBlanc's gentleman burglar Arsène Lupin and elements of James Bond to create the titular hero. Initially, the series encountered copyright issues with the use of LeBlanc's property, but since 2012, the character has entered the public domain. The original manga ran until 1969 but spawned an ongoing media franchise. The first anime adaptation, produced by TMS Entertainment, aired from October 1971 to March 1972. The series was a resounding success, spawning five more anime series and 14 theatrical films. Lupin III was ranked 38th on the Agency for Cultural Affairs' list of the 50 best manga in 2007. The series has been cited as an influence on properties such as Cowboy Bebop and Metal Gear Solid.