Some "Lupin III" fans criticize the film for presenting a different characterization of Arsène Lupin III: he is seen as a nobler, more heroic character in the film, while in the manga he is portrayed as an arrogant, shrewd playboy (however the film has Lupin mentioning he was like that at the beginning of his career). Furthermore, the portrayal of a friendly Jigen, a funny Goemon and a desexualised Fujiko didn't sit well with fans (only Zenigata was spared criticism).
Because the film had such a tight production schedule (production took only four months), Hayao Miyazaki claimed he had to alter the script in post-production to complete the film on time for release. He has never revealed what his original scripted idea was ever since, and has only expressed dissatisfaction with the completed film.
The 100-minute film was produced in four months (July-November 1979).
The "Lupin III" creator, Monkey Punch, did not seek permission from Maurice Leblanc's estate to use the name of Arsène Lupin, and at that time Japan did not enforce trade copyrights. This led to copyright issues once Lupin's popularity spread to North America and Europe, (the name was still permitted in Japan however), and in English translations of the film, the protagonist was known as either "Wolf" (the direct meaning of "Lupin") or "Rupan" (the Japanese pronunciation of the word). The only one who refers to the protagonist as Lupin in the Streamline dub is Jodot, when he finds the calling card Lupin stuck to his back.