A brand-new entry in the Lupin the Third franchise, titled LUPIN THE IIIRD: Two Lupins and Zenigata, will begin streaming on FOD, d Anime Store, and other platforms starting June 20, 2025. Directed by Takeshi Koike, known for his bold and gritty reinterpretation of the series in the LUPIN THE IIIRD line (2014–), the upcoming title is a prequel to the theatrical film LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Immortal Bloodline, set to hit theaters on June 27.

This installment focuses on Inspector Zenigata as the main protagonist in a high-stakes buddy action story. Set in the frozen lands of the Robieto Federation, the plot kicks off with a terrorist bombing at an airport, and the prime suspect is none other than Lupin the Third—or is he?

As Zenigata closes in on his target, he finds himself confronting a second Lupin, who claims innocence. Torn between duty and truth, Zenigata must unravel the mystery behind this doppelgänger in a gripping tale of identity, justice, and deception.

Teaser Visual and Tagline Spark Speculation Among Fans

The teaser visual shows Zenigata, dressed in a trench coat and donning a bullet-scarred fedora, staring ahead with intense determination. Beside him is Lupin, holding his signature Walther P38. The tagline reads:
“Could it be... that the one stolen is you?”
—a cryptic hint that suggests the story may challenge perceptions of self and reality.

Lupin Movie Marathon and Easter Eggs in TV Drama Stir Fan Excitement

To celebrate the release of the film and prequel series, WOWOW will broadcast a trilogy of earlier LUPIN THE IIIRD films—Daisuke Jigen’s Gravestone, Goemon Ishikawa’s Spray of Blood, and Fujiko Mine’s Lie—starting June 22. Additionally, the 1987 classic The Plot of the Fuma Clan will be available via FOD, d Anime Store, and DMM TV from June 13.

Interestingly, fans first caught wind of the new title when an unfamiliar blue poster appeared in episodes 9 and 10 of TBS’s drama series Mikami Sensei, which aired earlier this year. The drama’s screenwriter Roba Shimori, a long-time Lupin fan, and director Yohei Miyazaki subtly inserted Lupin-themed elements throughout the series—including the namesake character “Tsugimoto” (a nod to Jigen), Lupin merchandise-filled sets, and voice cameos from Kanichi Kurita (Lupin III) and Daisuke Namikawa (Goemon).

Miyazaki later commented:
“The blue poster was handed to us late in production—no title, but unmistakably Koike’s style. I had a hunch: Is this a new LUPIN THE IIIRD entry featuring Zenigata and not one, but two Lupins? We proudly placed it in the set, and fans noticed right away.”

Source : ORICON NEWS