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The Best Episodes of Lupin the 3rd Season 1

Every episode of Lupin the 3rd Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Lupin the 3rd Season 1!

Binge this in 9h 35m•Peaking at 7.6/10

Follow the exciting adventures of Arsene Lupin III, the grandson of the world's greatest thief, Arsene Lupin. Together with Daisuke Jigen, Goemon Ishikawa and his love interest Fujiko Mine, he carries out the greatest robberies

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 1 - Is Lupin Burning...?!
    7.0/10(200 votes)

    #1 - Is Lupin Burning...?!

    S1:E1

    The Hida Speedway has been completed and Lupin is looking to take top prize at the first race. The race is actually a trap designed by the Scorpion Gang who are intent on killing Lupin and eliminating all criminal competition.

    Director:Masaaki Osumi
    Writer:Tadaaki Yamazaki

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  2. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 2 - The Man They Called a Magician
    7.2/10(172 votes)

    #2 - The Man They Called a Magician

    S1:E2

    Fujiko has stolen something from a man named Pycal, and he wants it back. Pycal is a magician who is able to shoot flames from his hands, walk on air, and deflect bullets with ease. Lupin goes up against Pycal in hopes of saving Fujiko. (Pycal first appeared in chapter 7: "Magician" of the original manga series.)

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 3 - Farewell My Beloved Witch
    6.4/10(148 votes)

    #3 - Farewell My Beloved Witch

    S1:E3

    A boat collision ruins Lupin and Fujiko's quiet boating expedition. They discover a woman named Linda in the other boat just as gunmen on a larger boat attack them. After avoiding the gunboat, they learn that Linda is the assistant to a world-renowned expert on nuclear fission. She lived on an island with the doctor, which also housed the "Kirein Killers" ("Killers of the Sea"). Lupin and Jigen try to storm the island to save the Doctor and discover Linda's mysterious secret.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 4 - One Chance for a Prison Break
    7.6/10(156 votes)

    #4 - One Chance for a Prison Break

    S1:E4

    Lupin and Fujiko successfully pull off a heist; that is, until Zenigata manages to shoot Lupin with a tranquilizer dart. Zenigata hauls Lupin off to jail. Despite Fujiko's best efforts, she cannot break Lupin out of prison, and Jigen provides no help, claiming that Lupin can leave whenever he wants. One year passes, and Lupin's still in jail with his execution date getting closer. Fujiko and the others try to help Lupin get out of jail.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 5 - The Coming of Goemon the Thirteenth
    7.2/10(142 votes)

    #5 - The Coming of Goemon the Thirteenth

    S1:E5

    Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth direct descendant of the famous samurai highwayman Ishikawa Goemon. Goemon's mentor has given him a mission; find Lupin and use the invincible Zantetsuken eliminate him. Neither Goemon nor Lupin know that Goemon's mentor and Fujiko are actually working together.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 6 - Rainy Afternoons are Bad
    6.7/10(133 votes)

    #6 - Rainy Afternoons are Bad

    S1:E6

    One rainy afternoon, a man seeks Lupin's help on behalf of a young woman. The woman is actually Fujiko, who is after a diamond known as "The Star of Killamanjaro". The diamond was implanted into the chest of a mob boss. This boss had his memory wiped but died days before it was to be restored. Now, Lupin and the gang are after the ambulance carrying the corpse and the diamond in it. Zenigata is in charge of the ambulance and its escort, and he attempts to prevent Lupin from stealing the diamond.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 7 - A Wolf Calls a Wolf
    7.1/10(137 votes)

    #7 - A Wolf Calls a Wolf

    S1:E7

    Three scrolls contain the secret of creating a blade like the Zantetsuken. Lupin wants to steal them as a matter of family pride because his grandfather, Arsene Lupin, stole them back in the 19th century. Lupin's father stole a dagger from a swordsman that was forged using the same process. The swordsman challenged Lupin II to a duel and lost. But, he managed to steal the scrolls for himself. Now, Lupin plans to steal the scrolls back, but to do so, he must face Goemon and Fujiko, who have their own plans for acquiring the scrolls.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 8 - The All-Together Playing-Card Operation
    7.3/10(126 votes)

    #8 - The All-Together Playing-Card Operation

    S1:E8

    Napoleon once owned a deck of fortune-telling cards that are now in the hands of a millionaire known as Mr. Gold. Lupin plans to steal them during Mr. Gold's birthday party, and Zenigata plans to stop him. Lupin succeeds in stealing the mysterious cards.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 9 - Killer Sings the Blues
    7.6/10(135 votes)

    #9 - Killer Sings the Blues

    S1:E9

    Lupin and the gang aim to steal the blue prints for a new computer. In their way is a man skilled with the machinegun and his hit-man partner named Poon, who used to be Fujiko's partner in the past. Lupin succeeds at his mission, but not before Poon and Fujiko come face to face. Poon's boss shoots Fujiko before they can have a proper reunion. Lupin manages to get Fujiko back to their hideout, but she is near death. Poon and his boss follow Lupin and manage to oust him from the hideout, which leaves the dying Fujiko inside. Lupin tries to get back to the hideout to save Fujiko's life.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 10 - Hunt Down the Counterfeiter!
    6.7/10(118 votes)

    #10 - Hunt Down the Counterfeiter!

    S1:E10

    Lupin and Baron Ukraine are both after the world's most skilled counterfeiter. Lupin would have no problem beating the Baron, but the Baron has hired a man called Flinch along with Fujiko and gave them instructions to kill Lupin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 11 - When the Seventh Bridge Falls
    7.0/10(122 votes)

    #11 - When the Seventh Bridge Falls

    S1:E11

    Someone is posing as Lupin and blowing up bridges, causing a lot of damage and injuries. Lupin and Jigen discover that the bomber is trying to force an armored car to travel along a route of his choosing. They track down the bomber, but he forces Lupin and Jigen to attempt to rob the armored car. He threatens to kill a girl he kidnapped named Lisa unless Lupin and Jigen perform the job.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 12 - Who Had the Last Laugh?
    6.7/10(106 votes)

    #12 - Who Had the Last Laugh?

    S1:E12

    Fujiko is racing against a criminal organization to acquire a pair of gold statues that are owned by a snowbound village in the mountains. Lupin makes plans to acquire the statues, as well. The village elder considers selling the statues in an effort to help his village.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 13 - Beware the Time Machine!
    6.8/10(118 votes)

    #13 - Beware the Time Machine!

    S1:E13

    Mamo Kyosuke claims that Lupin will disappear from the world in four days. He claims that he is a time traveller from 2874 seeking revenge. Apparently, Lupin XIII destroyed the Mamo clan on March, 2874. Kyosuke has travelled back in time to destroy Lupin III and prevent his clan's future destruction. Kyosuke backs his claims up by travelling into the past and killing the builder of a castle causing it to disappear in front of Lupin's eyes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 14 - The Emerald's Secret
    6.5/10(114 votes)

    #14 - The Emerald's Secret

    S1:E14

    Lupin and Fujiko are both after the legendary Eye of the Nile emerald. It is going to be a wedding gift presented at a wedding being held on a yacht. Lupin and Fujiko learn that Catherine Burgess, Queen of Hollywood, has lured them there to liven up her otherwise dull wedding party.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 15 - Let's Catch Lupin and Go to Europe
    7.4/10(113 votes)

    #15 - Let's Catch Lupin and Go to Europe

    S1:E15

    Zenigata has been invited to an international police convention in Europe; his chief wants him to go, but Zenigata does not want to since Lupin has declared that he will steal a gold bust within the next three days. Zenigata vows to catch Lupin before going to the convention. Lupin learns of this and begins to hatch a scheme that involves him being captured by Zenigata intentionally.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 16 - Operation Jewel Snatch
    6.8/10(109 votes)

    #16 - Operation Jewel Snatch

    S1:E16

    Fujiko goads Lupin into stealing a large shipment of diamonds. Lupin takes the task despite Jigen's protest that Fujiko is playing them for fools. Of course, Jigen is right.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 17 - Lupin Caught in a Trap
    7.4/10(111 votes)

    #17 - Lupin Caught in a Trap

    S1:E17

    Fujiko invites Lupin and the gang to a famous night club owned by the sexy Hoshikage Rinko. Only Goemon refuses. This was a wise move as Rinko places timebombs on Fujiko, Jigen, and Lupin. They must cough up 3,000,000,000 JPY within twenty-four hours if they want the bombs removed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 18 - Keep an Eye on the Beauty Contest
    6.9/10(110 votes)

    #18 - Keep an Eye on the Beauty Contest

    S1:E18

    Smith is an art thief that is selling stolen paintings under the guise of a beauty contest.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 19 - Which of the Third Generation Will Win!
    7.1/10(112 votes)

    #19 - Which of the Third Generation Will Win!

    S1:E19

    Inspector Ganimard III is the grandson of Lupin I's archnemesis. He has come to Japan has the head of security for the 1972 France Fair but also intends to restore his family's honor by arresting Lupin III. Ganimard publicly baits Lupin into trying to steal the Fair's exhibits by insulting Lupin's family pride. Ganimard is convinced that reason and science will capture Lupin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 20 - Catch the Phony Lupin!
    6.8/10(109 votes)

    #20 - Catch the Phony Lupin!

    S1:E20

    Someone is committing thefts under Lupin's name. Lupin follows the imposters back to their island hideout. He has apparently stumbled into a whole island of thieves.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 21 - Rescue the Tomboy!
    7.0/10(109 votes)

    #21 - Rescue the Tomboy!

    S1:E21

    Rie is being held captive though she does not realize it. She believes the man holding her is a friend of her father, Ken Makita. Lupin shows up to rescue her. Rie does not want to be rescued by Lupin and does not understand why he is trying to. Lupin's father was a friend of Rie's father. The "friend" is Jooji Takigawa; he is holding Rie hostage in an attempt to get her father out of retirement to do his bidding.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 22 - The First Move Wins Computer Operation!
    6.9/10(106 votes)

    #22 - The First Move Wins Computer Operation!

    S1:E22

    Gordon, an FBI computer specialist, is in Japan to operate a computer capable of predicting crimes and determining how to stop them. The Metropolitan Police Department hopes that this will finally help them capture Lupin. Zenigata is unimpressed and warns that the machine will not be able to stop Lupin. For once, Zenigata and Lupin see eye to eye. Lupin sets out to prove that the computer is no match for his intellect.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Lupin the 3rd Season 1 Episode 23 - The Great Gold Showdown!
    7.1/10(111 votes)

    #23 - The Great Gold Showdown!

    S1:E23

    A disputed horde of recently discovered ancient gold coins draws the attention of Lupin and company. As the ownership of the coins is disputed, Lupin decides to settle the matter on his own by stealing them from the Dai Nippon Bank. This time, Zenigata decides not to wait for Lupin to carry out the hit but to counterattack by locating and raiding his hideout. After a dispute with his chief, he also offers him a letter of resignation in case of a further failure, and vows to stop Lupin on his own in one final showdown.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Is Lupin Burning...?!" is the best rated episode of "Lupin the 3rd" season 1. It scored 7/10 based on 200 votes. Directed by Masaaki Osumi and written by Tadaaki Yamazaki, it aired on 10/24/1971. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Man They Called a Magician".