Lupin III watch order
The gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III, grandson of the famous Arsène Lupin, pulls off impossible heists with gunman Jigen, swordsman Goemon and the double-crossing Fujiko, always one step ahead of Inspector Zenigata. Running since 1971, it's mostly standalone adventures.
First time? Watch The Castle of Cagliostro, then try Part IV into Part 5 and Part 6. For something darker, watch The Woman Called Fujiko Mine and the Lupin the IIIrd films in order.
First-timer order
A sampler, not the only way in. Cagliostro is the classic; Parts IV to 6 are the modern TV run and lightly connected; Fujiko Mine and the Lupin the IIIrd films are a mature, serialized line that ends by leading into The Mystery of Mamo. Part II and the TV specials are great to dip into afterwards.
- The Castle of Cagliostro
Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film: Lupin tries to rescue a princess from a scheming count in a tiny European country. The most famous Lupin story and a classic first watch.
- Lupin the 3rd Part IV (blue jacket)
Lupin in Italy, opening with his surprise wedding to the heiress Rebecca Rossellini. Aired in Italy first. Starts the modern run that continues into Part 5 and Part 6.
- Lupin the 3rd Part 5
Lupin in France, joined by Ami, a teenage hacker, and facing his old partner Albert. Follows on loosely from Part IV.
- Lupin the 3rd Part 6
Episodes 1–12 pit Lupin against Sherlock Holmes in London; episodes 13–24 follow Tomoe, a woman tied to Lupin's past. Episode 0 is a send-off for Jigen's longtime Japanese voice actor.
- The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
A stylish, adult reimagining centered on Fujiko, from director Sayo Yamamoto, showing the gang meeting for the first time. Starts the 'Lupin the IIIrd' line. Contains nudity.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone
A 50-minute film in the gritty style of Fujiko Mine, picking up after it with Lupin and Jigen as new partners.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon's Blood Spray
Second film of the Lupin the IIIrd line, centered on Goemon.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko's Lie
Third film of the Lupin the IIIrd line, centered on Fujiko.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata and the Two Lupins
A 54-minute episode of the Lupin the IIIrd line that follows Fujiko's Lie and leads directly into The Immortal Bloodline.
- Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline
The finale of the Lupin the IIIrd line, which ties it into The Mystery of Mamo. Watch it after the other IIIrd entries.
- The Mystery of Mamo
The first film, released while Part II was airing. Lupin crosses paths with Mamo, a mysterious man who claims to be immortal. The 2025 Immortal Bloodline film was made as its lead-in.
Story order
Lupin has no single timeline, and the origin stories contradict each other. This list only puts the connected pieces together: the classic TV series, the Lupin the IIIrd line ending in Mamo, the modern Parts IV to 6 with their extras, and the two Conan crossovers. The other films and the yearly TV specials are standalone, so slot them in anywhere (see release order).
- Lupin ZERO
A prequel about a 13-year-old Lupin in early-1960s Tokyo and how he meets Jigen. Another origin story that doesn't match the others.
- Lupin the 3rd Part I (green jacket)
The first series. It starts dark and adult under director Masaaki Ōsumi; partway through, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata take over and the tone gets lighter and funnier.
- Return of Pycal (optional)
A 50-minute OVA bringing back Pycal, the magician villain from Part I. Standalone otherwise. Optional.
- Lupin the 3rd Part II (red jacket)
The long-running classic: 155 episodic heists around the world, and the version most people picture. Episodes 145 and 155 were directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
- Lupin the 3rd Part III (pink jacket)
The third series, with a pink jacket and a looser, more cartoony style. Episodic like Part II.
- The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
A stylish, adult reimagining centered on Fujiko, from director Sayo Yamamoto, showing the gang meeting for the first time. Starts the 'Lupin the IIIrd' line. Contains nudity.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone
A 50-minute film in the gritty style of Fujiko Mine, picking up after it with Lupin and Jigen as new partners.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon's Blood Spray
Second film of the Lupin the IIIrd line, centered on Goemon.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko's Lie
Third film of the Lupin the IIIrd line, centered on Fujiko.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata and the Two Lupins
A 54-minute episode of the Lupin the IIIrd line that follows Fujiko's Lie and leads directly into The Immortal Bloodline.
- Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline
The finale of the Lupin the IIIrd line, which ties it into The Mystery of Mamo. Watch it after the other IIIrd entries.
- The Mystery of Mamo
The first film, released while Part II was airing. Lupin crosses paths with Mamo, a mysterious man who claims to be immortal. The 2025 Immortal Bloodline film was made as its lead-in.
- Lupin the 3rd Part IV (blue jacket)
Lupin in Italy, opening with his surprise wedding to the heiress Rebecca Rossellini. Aired in Italy first. Starts the modern run that continues into Part 5 and Part 6.
- Part IV extra episodes (optional)
Two extra Part IV episodes that weren't part of its 24-episode Japanese broadcast. Optional.
- Italian Game (optional)
TV special no. 25, a Part IV spin-off. Around 40 minutes are new; the rest reuses Part IV footage. Watch after Part IV. Optional.
- Lupin the 3rd Part 5
Lupin in France, joined by Ami, a teenage hacker, and facing his old partner Albert. Follows on loosely from Part IV.
- Is Lupin Still Burning? (optional)
A 50th-anniversary OVA released with Part 5 that revisits the original series and its villains. Optional.
- Prison of the Past
TV special no. 27 and the latest. Mostly standalone, though Detective Yata from Part 5 returns.
- Lupin the 3rd Part 6
Episodes 1–12 pit Lupin against Sherlock Holmes in London; episodes 13–24 follow Tomoe, a woman tied to Lupin's past. Episode 0 is a send-off for Jigen's longtime Japanese voice actor.
- Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan
A crossover TV special with Detective Conan. Followed by a 2013 crossover film.
- Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan: The Movie
The second Conan crossover, a sequel to the 2009 special.
Release order
Everything in the order it came out, including all 27 yearly TV specials. Nobody needs to watch it all this way, but it shows how much there is.
- Pilot Film (optional)
A 15-minute pilot made before the TV series. A curiosity for fans. Optional.
- Lupin the 3rd Part I (green jacket)
The first series. It starts dark and adult under director Masaaki Ōsumi; partway through, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata take over and the tone gets lighter and funnier.
- Lupin the 3rd Part II (red jacket)
The long-running classic: 155 episodic heists around the world, and the version most people picture. Episodes 145 and 155 were directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
- The Mystery of Mamo
The first film, released while Part II was airing. Lupin crosses paths with Mamo, a mysterious man who claims to be immortal. The 2025 Immortal Bloodline film was made as its lead-in.
- The Castle of Cagliostro
Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film: Lupin tries to rescue a princess from a scheming count in a tiny European country. The most famous Lupin story and a classic first watch.
- Lupin the 3rd Part III (pink jacket)
The third series, with a pink jacket and a looser, more cartoony style. Episodic like Part II.
- The Legend of the Gold of Babylon
The third film, a treasure hunt for the legendary gold of Babylon. Standalone.
- The Fuma Conspiracy
The gang helps Goemon rescue his fiancée from a ninja clan. Made on a small budget with a one-off replacement voice cast in Japanese. Standalone.
- Bye Bye, Lady Liberty
The first of the yearly TV specials that aired almost every summer until 2013. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- The Hemingway Papers
TV special no. 2. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Steal Napoleon's Dictionary!
TV special no. 3. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- From Russia with Love
TV special no. 4. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Voyage to Danger
TV special no. 5. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Dragon of Doom
TV special no. 6. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Farewell to Nostradamus
The fourth film, released in theaters the same year as that summer's TV special. Standalone.
- The Pursuit of Harimao's Treasure
TV special no. 7. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Dead or Alive
The fifth film and the only one directed by creator Monkey Punch himself: Lupin goes after a treasure on an island ruled by a military coup. Standalone.
- The Secret of Twilight Gemini
TV special no. 8. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Island of Assassins
TV special no. 9. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Tokyo Crisis
TV special no. 10. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- The Columbus Files
TV special no. 11. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Missed by a Dollar
TV special no. 12. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Alcatraz Connection
TV special no. 13. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Return of Pycal (optional)
A 50-minute OVA bringing back Pycal, the magician villain from Part I. Standalone otherwise. Optional.
- Episode 0: First Contact
TV special no. 14. An origin story about how the gang first came together. Lupin has several origin stories that don't agree with each other; this is one of them.
- Operation: Return the Treasure
TV special no. 15. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Stolen Lupin
TV special no. 16. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Angel Tactics
TV special no. 17. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Seven Days Rhapsody
TV special no. 18. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- The Elusiveness of the Fog
TV special no. 19. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Green vs Red (optional)
An offbeat OVA that plays on Lupin's green- and red-jacket eras. Optional.
- Sweet Lost Night
TV special no. 20. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan
A crossover TV special with Detective Conan. Followed by a 2013 crossover film.
- The Last Job
TV special no. 21. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Blood Seal: Eternal Mermaid
TV special no. 22. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
A stylish, adult reimagining centered on Fujiko, from director Sayo Yamamoto, showing the gang meeting for the first time. Starts the 'Lupin the IIIrd' line. Contains nudity.
- The Secret Page of Marco Polo
TV special no. 23. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Princess of the Breeze
TV special no. 24. A standalone feature-length adventure; watch it any time after you know the gang.
- Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan: The Movie
The second Conan crossover, a sequel to the 2009 special.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone
A 50-minute film in the gritty style of Fujiko Mine, picking up after it with Lupin and Jigen as new partners.
- Lupin the 3rd Part IV (blue jacket)
Lupin in Italy, opening with his surprise wedding to the heiress Rebecca Rossellini. Aired in Italy first. Starts the modern run that continues into Part 5 and Part 6.
- Part IV extra episodes (optional)
Two extra Part IV episodes that weren't part of its 24-episode Japanese broadcast. Optional.
- Italian Game (optional)
TV special no. 25, a Part IV spin-off. Around 40 minutes are new; the rest reuses Part IV footage. Watch after Part IV. Optional.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Goemon's Blood Spray
Second film of the Lupin the IIIrd line, centered on Goemon.
- Lupin the 3rd Part 5
Lupin in France, joined by Ami, a teenage hacker, and facing his old partner Albert. Follows on loosely from Part IV.
- Is Lupin Still Burning? (optional)
A 50th-anniversary OVA released with Part 5 that revisits the original series and its villains. Optional.
- Goodbye Partner
TV special no. 26: Jigen appears to turn on Lupin. Standalone.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Fujiko's Lie
Third film of the Lupin the IIIrd line, centered on Fujiko.
- Prison of the Past
TV special no. 27 and the latest. Mostly standalone, though Detective Yata from Part 5 returns.
- Lupin III: The First
The first fully 3DCG Lupin film, directed by Takashi Yamazaki: Lupin races Nazi treasure hunters for the Bresson Diary. Standalone and a good modern entry point.
- Lupin the 3rd Part 6
Episodes 1–12 pit Lupin against Sherlock Holmes in London; episodes 13–24 follow Tomoe, a woman tied to Lupin's past. Episode 0 is a send-off for Jigen's longtime Japanese voice actor.
- Lupin ZERO
A prequel about a 13-year-old Lupin in early-1960s Tokyo and how he meets Jigen. Another origin story that doesn't match the others.
- Lupin the 3rd vs. Cat's Eye
A crossover film with the thief sisters of Cat's Eye, released straight to streaming. Standalone.
- Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata and the Two Lupins
A 54-minute episode of the Lupin the IIIrd line that follows Fujiko's Lie and leads directly into The Immortal Bloodline.
- Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline
The finale of the Lupin the IIIrd line, which ties it into The Mystery of Mamo. Watch it after the other IIIrd entries.
Explained
Do I need to watch in order?
No. Lupin is mostly self-contained heists, and creator Monkey Punch never set a strict continuity; the TV series, specials and films often contradict each other on details like how the gang met. Two parts reward watching in order: the Lupin the IIIrd line (Fujiko Mine through The Immortal Bloodline) and the modern Parts IV, 5 and 6, which share recurring characters.
What's with the jacket colors?
Fans name the eras by Lupin's jacket: green for Part I (and Lupin the IIIrd), red for Part II and most of the TV specials, pink for Part III, blue for Parts IV and 5. Part 6 brings back green.
What is the Lupin the IIIrd line?
The mature line that began with The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012) and continued in director Takeshi Koike's films: Jigen's Gravestone, Goemon's Blood Spray, Fujiko's Lie, Zenigata and the Two Lupins and The Immortal Bloodline (2025). It's grittier and more connected than the rest of the franchise, and the final film was made to lead straight into The Mystery of Mamo (1978).
What are all these TV specials?
From 1989 to 2013 a feature-length Lupin special aired on Japanese TV almost every year, with a few more in 2016 and 2019 (27 numbered specials in all, plus the 2009 Conan crossover). They're standalone adventures of varying quality. Several have more than one English title, because older dubs renamed them (for example, From Russia with Love is also From Siberia with Love).
Which dub should I watch? Is there anything new?
Part II's English dub covers only 79 of its 155 episodes and rewrites the script as broad comedy, so many fans watch it subtitled. The Castle of Cagliostro has more than one English dub. Parts IV, 5 and 6 aired on Toonami in English. No new Lupin TV series had been announced as of autumn 2026; the most recent releases are the 2025 Lupin the IIIrd films.