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Lupin III: World's Most Wanted / 新ルパン三世 #2
Lupin III: World's Most Wanted, Vol. 2
Lupin World's Most Wanted, Vol. 2
- GenresManga
184 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2004
12 people want to read
About the author
Monkey Punch
203 books43 followersKazuhiko Katō known by the pen name Monkey Punch (モンキー・パンチ) was a Japanese manga artist, best known for his series Lupin III.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 16, 2024
What’s this? Lupin III Vol. 2 is less misogynistic than its predecessor? Did Monkey Punch have a sudden epiphany mid-drawing? Did a woman on the street slap some sense into him? Whatever the reason, the second volume feels almost... respectable. Don’t get me wrong—it’s still chaotic, ridiculous, and more morally questionable than Lupin’s wardrobe choices, but at least it seems like the women might survive the encounter with their dignity intact. Progress!
And now, let me confess: as a child, I had a massive crush on Goemon Ishikawa XIII. Re-reading this volume, it’s painfully obvious why. In a cast of absolute lunatics, Goemon is the only one who isn’t operating on what I can only describe as cursed energy. He’s calm, composed, and somehow still human while Lupin is, as always, one ridiculous outfit away from being sectioned. Child-me looked at Goemon and thought, “Ah, a man with honor and actual self-control. A rarity.” Adult-me rereads these pages and thinks, “You really had your priorities straight, kid.”
This volume also feels tighter than the first. Sure, the “plots” (again, using the term generously) are still all over the place, but there’s something smoother about the transitions between thefts, betrayals, and the occasional sword fight. The humor hits better, too—possibly because it doesn’t rely entirely on Lupin being the human equivalent of a red flag. And the moments when Goemon or Jigen sigh heavily and look at Lupin like a tired parent dealing with a sugar-high toddler? Priceless.
Of course, it’s still Lupin III, so don’t expect sense or subtlety. The art remains delightfully chaotic, the pacing is more erratic than Zenigata’s approach to law enforcement, and Lupin is still doing his best to make you question why he’s the protagonist. But for all its madness, there’s a strange comfort here. It’s like the franchise finally found its footing—or at least bought sturdier shoes.
In conclusion: Less offensive, slightly more coherent, and a reminder that my childhood crush on Goemon was the healthiest decision I made in the ’90s. Would recommend to anyone who wants a little madness in their life, as long as they’re prepared to look at Lupin and think, “This man needs to touch grass.”
And now, let me confess: as a child, I had a massive crush on Goemon Ishikawa XIII. Re-reading this volume, it’s painfully obvious why. In a cast of absolute lunatics, Goemon is the only one who isn’t operating on what I can only describe as cursed energy. He’s calm, composed, and somehow still human while Lupin is, as always, one ridiculous outfit away from being sectioned. Child-me looked at Goemon and thought, “Ah, a man with honor and actual self-control. A rarity.” Adult-me rereads these pages and thinks, “You really had your priorities straight, kid.”
This volume also feels tighter than the first. Sure, the “plots” (again, using the term generously) are still all over the place, but there’s something smoother about the transitions between thefts, betrayals, and the occasional sword fight. The humor hits better, too—possibly because it doesn’t rely entirely on Lupin being the human equivalent of a red flag. And the moments when Goemon or Jigen sigh heavily and look at Lupin like a tired parent dealing with a sugar-high toddler? Priceless.
Of course, it’s still Lupin III, so don’t expect sense or subtlety. The art remains delightfully chaotic, the pacing is more erratic than Zenigata’s approach to law enforcement, and Lupin is still doing his best to make you question why he’s the protagonist. But for all its madness, there’s a strange comfort here. It’s like the franchise finally found its footing—or at least bought sturdier shoes.
In conclusion: Less offensive, slightly more coherent, and a reminder that my childhood crush on Goemon was the healthiest decision I made in the ’90s. Would recommend to anyone who wants a little madness in their life, as long as they’re prepared to look at Lupin and think, “This man needs to touch grass.”
May 24, 2019
Such a funny book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews