Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo

Mamo Karano Chousen ('Mystery of Mamo' or 'Lupin Vs. The Clone') is the best adaptation of Monkey Punch's Manga. Unlike the acclamed 'Castle of Cagliostro', This film is very true to its original form. The main characters often quarrel, which is rarely or never seen in any other of the Lupin III films, this is something that is present in the Manga that never made it to the movies. It also has higher Sexual content then most of the other Lupin films, again this is almost eliminated totally from the other films. It has a great artistic style, its not as ground breaking as 'Cagliostro', but it by far is better animated then most other Anime titles of the era. I've shown this film to many of my friends, and they have become Lupin fans as well. The sad part is this great film is rare and hard to find, even in the Anime community. This is by far my favorite Animated Film, and my favorite Lupin adventure! The english Dub is wonderful as well!

Lupin III is Japan's longest running anime series, spawning five movies, three television series, annual Television specials which continue to this day and even a live-action movie. One of the films, "Castle Of Cagliostro", in fact, is considered an animation classic by most critics on both sides of the Pacific. However, before "Cagliostro" there was "Mamo". Mamo is based more on the traditional Lupin as created by manga artist Monkey Punch-so those who are used to the kind anti-hero in COC might be in for a slight shock. This Lupin is more of a womanizer and a trickster than Miyazaki's version. The plot doesn't flow as well as COC's, and is kind of drawn out with a couple false endings. The visuals aren't as good as COC either, with some rough-looking animation in spots and action scenes that don't flow as well. Anyway, it's still a good movie, especially for fans of Monkey Punch's take on the character(as opposed to Miyazaki) just overlong. A word to the wise though-the DVD doesn't have the Japanese track, something which some anime fans might not like. The dub is OK voice wise, but the script has obviously been rewritten slightly-something which becomes blatantly obvious when you hear, over a radio, George Bush and Boris Yeltsin chatting, something really out of place in a 1978 film....

Lupin iii film 9

A very different film. This time Fujiko is the main protagonist. There's lots of action, but the film is more centered on the psychological side. The story is just crazy, nonsense after a while honestly. The whole film is abstract. I personally like the drawings, especially Fujiko, despite the difference from the usual.

I really like some things in this film; the fact that they as a team quarrel for Fujiko, so Lupin has to choose his friends or Fujiko; and Fujiko character is great in this film, both her and Lupin give up on immortality for the other. For the first time you can feel both love each other at the end.

There's lots of nude parts and fan service compared to other films.

I was traumatized with this movie in my childhood. But I couldn't understand a content enough for the first time because I was child. Now, I became an adult while keeping disliked creepy design. Although I was a big fan of Lupin the 3rd series, it was only a movie I disliked. Now I felt it was creepy absolutely.

Although I was afraid it why I didn't know before, I understood it now. I didn't think it had such a magnific theme.

The Mystery of Mamo is the first movie in the Lupin the 3rd series. It's been a critically polarizing film ever since it's release in 1978. So, is this theatrical debut worth the time? Well, let's find out.

The film starts with the master thief, Lupin the 3rd, seemingly being executed. However, the police inspector Zenigata doesn't believe he's really dead. His assumption turns out to be true as Lupin steals the fabled Philosopher's Stone in Egypt.

The Philosopher's Stone is then stolen from him by his on-off lover, Fujiko Mine and she brings it to her mysterious benefactor, Mamo. But when they find out that the stone is fake, Mamo is determined to track down Lupin and his colleagues, the expert gunman Daisuke Jigen, and the warrior priest, Goemon Ishikawa XIII. But it becomes a three-way free for all with Inspector Zenigata determined to have them all arrested.

So what did I like about this movie? Well, the animation and the action is very creative and well executed. It blends in with the story and characters very well. Speaking of, the chemistry between the characters is probably the best part about this film. The villain, Mamo, probably has the most intimidating voice I've ever heard, regardless of whether you watch the dubbed or subbed version. And it's even better when you see what Mamo looks like.

So what didn't I like? Well, the third act was a little clunky. While the animation still made it visually pleasing, the plot seemed to spiral out of control and became a little too weird for me. Though I can't say much more without spoiling it. And I never thought I'd say this, but I didn't like the nudity. I just thought it was out of place with the rest of the film.

So, in the long run, The Mystery of Mamo is a flawed, but extremely well made Lupin film. If you're a fan of the manga, then this will probably be one of your favorite movies in the series. It's fun, it's weird, it truly is Lupin the 3rd