This could have worked as a two-part episode. The plot was all over the place, but comprehensible plots were never Miyazaki's strong point. The whole "fake Lupin" thing could have had a set-up, like Lupin relating his experiences when he thought he had "Disguise Syndrome". That episode, "The Two Faces of Lupin", was better because it had the thief pushed to his limits.
The "anti-war" element was clumsy, and Miyazaki was clearly trying to write a different story. The anti-war element worked better in "The Winds of Morocco are Hot", and showed a Lupin who wasn't exactly a peace advocate, but who was wise enough not to get involved in political conflict.
Still, his characterization is too heroic. He's less himself here, and more like Assane Diop (who's a good character in his own right, but very different).
Even while playing the disguised Lupin, this is Goro Naya's episode. He really shows his range where, when showed the photo of Maki, Lupin-as-Zenigata says, "And this cutie... I mean, and the girl is?", and a little later tells the chief he's going. His voice here is almost like he's doing an impression of Yasuo Yamada but not quite. It's an inspired choice and really shows that a talented voice actor he is.
The art is good; art and animation are where Miyazaki is strongest, and we get some really impressive visuals here. The movement is really fluid. I like the part where a train comes to an abrupt start and Lupin-as-Zenigata is squashed by the commuters. There are some really lovely flourishes in the animation.
Unfortunately, other than that it doesn't offer much.
We don't learn who this warmonger is or why he's making these robots.
The best part of the story was where, when Maki offers him coffee, Lupin-as-Zenigata tells her "no sugar". That was a nice touch.
'The Castle of Cagliostro' was Miyazaki's better Lupin outing because it had a big mystery behind it, exciting set pieces, clever twists and relationship developments between the characters, particularly between Lupin and Zenigata. Here Miyazaki was trying to cram something too big into something too small.
'Cagliostro' also had an anti-war message that wasn't as preachy, in a scene where Zenigata tries to get ICPO to move against the Count while the Cold War was going on and the American and Soviet delegates started fighting. That was important because it tied into the plot.
The ending had the main characters doing nothing exciting except ride around in the Fiat. I liked the Fiat in the movie, but in this episode it just bugged me.
The episode was just a bunch of creative ideas thrown around.
I'd have loved it if there were more Zenigata-centered episodes from that era. He's probably the most interesting character on the show.
The "anti-war" element was clumsy, and Miyazaki was clearly trying to write a different story. The anti-war element worked better in "The Winds of Morocco are Hot", and showed a Lupin who wasn't exactly a peace advocate, but who was wise enough not to get involved in political conflict.
Still, his characterization is too heroic. He's less himself here, and more like Assane Diop (who's a good character in his own right, but very different).
Even while playing the disguised Lupin, this is Goro Naya's episode. He really shows his range where, when showed the photo of Maki, Lupin-as-Zenigata says, "And this cutie... I mean, and the girl is?", and a little later tells the chief he's going. His voice here is almost like he's doing an impression of Yasuo Yamada but not quite. It's an inspired choice and really shows that a talented voice actor he is.
The art is good; art and animation are where Miyazaki is strongest, and we get some really impressive visuals here. The movement is really fluid. I like the part where a train comes to an abrupt start and Lupin-as-Zenigata is squashed by the commuters. There are some really lovely flourishes in the animation.
Unfortunately, other than that it doesn't offer much.
We don't learn who this warmonger is or why he's making these robots.
The best part of the story was where, when Maki offers him coffee, Lupin-as-Zenigata tells her "no sugar". That was a nice touch.
'The Castle of Cagliostro' was Miyazaki's better Lupin outing because it had a big mystery behind it, exciting set pieces, clever twists and relationship developments between the characters, particularly between Lupin and Zenigata. Here Miyazaki was trying to cram something too big into something too small.
'Cagliostro' also had an anti-war message that wasn't as preachy, in a scene where Zenigata tries to get ICPO to move against the Count while the Cold War was going on and the American and Soviet delegates started fighting. That was important because it tied into the plot.
The ending had the main characters doing nothing exciting except ride around in the Fiat. I liked the Fiat in the movie, but in this episode it just bugged me.
The episode was just a bunch of creative ideas thrown around.
I'd have loved it if there were more Zenigata-centered episodes from that era. He's probably the most interesting character on the show.
