Lupin III: The First

(TMS Entertainment, Marza Animation Planet, GKIDS)

Director: Takashi Yamazaki

Release Date: October 18, 2020

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

Synopsis: Based on the long-running manga franchise, third-generation gentleman thief Arsene Lupin III battles a consortium of neo-Nazis for a dangerous diary and amulet left by an archaeologist during World War II, which contains the secret to vast wealth.

Director Talk: “What I did with Lupin was not something that I could normally do in Japan in live action, but it’s not like I was like trying to do different things just because this is CG. I was really thinking about what I wanted to do with the film if I were to work on Lupin.” — Takashi Yamazaki

The Word: “If I was initially worried about how well Lupin III would translate to 3D CG, these (probably underpaid) animators blew my mind and put my fears to rest. All the character designs, backgrounds and action moved as smooth as silk.” — Courtney Lanning,

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Nomination Chances: Given its acclaim in Japan and its response here, chances are fair that this CGI action-adventure will earn golden man recognition.