Veteran voice actor Akio Otsuka stunned the audience with a flawless impression of Goemon Ishikawa at a stage greeting held in Tokyo on June 28 to celebrate the release of the all-new anime film LUPIN THE IIIRD THE MOVIE: Fujimi no Ketsuzoku. He was joined onstage by cast members Kanichi Kurita, Daisuke Namikawa, Miyuki Sawashiro, Koichi Yamadera, Aoi Morikawa, comedy duo Kukikaidan (Mogura Suzuki and Katamari Mizukawa), and director Takeshi Koike.

Daisuke Namikawa has voiced Goemon since 2011. During the event, it was revealed that all the regular cast members are capable of doing a Goemon impression. They each took turns showcasing their version of the character’s voice. First up was Kanichi Kurita, who plays Lupin. He delivered the line, “Lupin, don’t say such foolish things!” in a Goemon-like voice, prompting Namikawa to react with mixed emotions, saying, “That’s pretty good… I don’t know how to feel about this, but it’s great…”

Next was Akio Otsuka, son of Chikao Otsuka—the original voice of Goemon. Akio confidently performed the iconic line, “Once again, I have cut down something worthless.” The crowd erupted in applause, and Namikawa couldn’t help but praise him, exclaiming, “That was so cool!” Koichi Yamadera added with a nod, “Well, your father was the original after all.”

Later in the event, when asked about his “greatest enemy,” Namikawa jokingly responded, “People who impersonate Goemon. I never know when they might steal my role!”

The film is the first 2D theatrical anime installment in nearly 30 years since Lupin III: Dead or Alive in 1996. Set on a mysterious, uncharted island, the tagline reads, “You still don’t know the real Lupin.” The story is positioned as both a new chapter and a return to the franchise’s roots.

As Lupin and his crew head toward the Bermuda Triangle, their plane is shot down upon approaching the island, crash-landing them in a deadly zone. There, they confront Muom, the island’s ruler, who aims to dominate the world through selection and elimination, under the banner of immortality. Faced with an enemy who cannot be killed by guns or swords, Lupin must engage in a battle of wits, staking his past, his pride, and his very identity as a thief.

Source : ORICON NEWS