Lupin III: Seven Days Rhapsodynote is the eighteenth Lupin III Made-for-TV Movie. It was originally shown on September 8, 2006, and was released by Discotek in December of 2023. It was directed by Hajime Kamegaki, who would go on to direct Lupin III vs. Detective Conan and Travels of Marco Polo - Another Page. It is one of the rare TV specials to have had some animation done in-house at TMS Entertainment.
Lupin III is up to his usual tricks, planning an elaborate scam at the nation's largest race track that will net him millions in a week's time. While waiting for the day to arrive, Lupin is hired by a teenager named Michelle to steal a legendary diamond, the Goddess's Teardrop. Meanwhile, an old compatriot from Jigen's past has asked him for help on a job stealing a secret weapon out from under a powerful international security firm; said firm happens to be headed by an old figure from their past. And complicating things even further, Fujiko has her own plans for the world's largest jewelry exhibition, which just happens to be hosting the Goddess's Teardrop. The schemes begin twisting together as the week wears down and things grow more complicated, not including the ever-present complication of Inspector Zenigata interrupting the whole affair. Can all of the gang member wrap up their threads before the race deadline?
Complete spoilers below — don't read further if you don't want to know how this caper turns out!
This TV movie features examples of:
- 2D Visuals, 3D Effects: The Goddess's Teardrop is has clearly been modeled in 3D, ridiculously realistic and shiny compared to the rest of the normal animation.
- Absurdly Sharp Blade: Goemon cuts so, so many things into pieces during this special that should not be able to be cut by a mere katana.
- Arms Dealer: Cuicc and his "security firm" Mix, who makes and sells weapons, and has major political influence with various defense departments around the world.
- Catchphrase: With all of the sword swinging Goemon does, "Once again, I have cut a worthless object" gets trotted out a lot. Hilarously subverted towards the end of the special after Fujiko has had enough, when he starts in, only for her to interrupt him angrily.
- Denser and Wackier: Though it has a few serious moments, the tone of this special is high on comedy and gags. Even The Comically Serious Goemon has trouble keeping a straight face towards the end.
- Distracted by the Sexy: Everyone who describes the Goddess's Teardrop to Lupin shows him how big it is by holding their hands at chest height, and since it is a big diamond, Lupin begins imagining other things...
- Fake-Out Opening: The special begins with Lupin cheating to win a horse race while Jigen makes off with the winnings, only for Zenigata to find them out, leading to a spectacular chase with Lupin on horseback...only for it to be revealed the the entire segment is merely Lupin explaining to Jigen how the heist he's planning is going to go. With puppets. Including one of the horse. That Lupin makes whinnying sound effects for. Jigen is less than amused.
- Genre Savvy: As Zenigata's helicopter comes crashing down, Goemon wonders if the inspector will be okay. Lupin Hand Waves it, saying he'll be fine. Sure enough, Zenigata gets caught on a flagpole on the way down and continues to rant at the thieves as they pass by.
- Hopeless with Tech: Lupin is slackjawed after Goemon pulls out a cell phone in Thailand. It turns out Fujiko made him carry it so she keep in contact with the samurai regarding her plan.
- Imagine Spot: The opening sequence is this; Lupin imagines his racetrack plan going perfectly. He even imagines Zenigata figuring out one of his tricks! Of course, reality sets in a week later.
- Implausible Fencing Powers: Goemon gets some of his usual moments, but as Fujiko's plans proceed, his sword skills get used for trite things, and eventually are not needed. When the alarm goes off at the exhibition, Goemon's first move is to eagerly offer to cut open the case.
- Playing with Fire: The henchmen named Fire has metal orbs that eject flames and explode as needed. He is not fire-proof himself though, as he finds out the hard way when he pushes Fujiko too far.
- Three Lines, No Waiting: Lupin's been hired to steal a gem, Jigen's going out to exact revenge with an old group of friends, Fujiko is planning a massive jewel robbery... and of course, all of them tie together in the end.
- Took a Level in Badass: After everything goes wrong with her scheme, Fujiko is done with Fire and the other henchmen. She takes them out so hard even Goemon is awed.
- When You Coming Home, Dad?: Cuicc claims he got involved with Mix to provide everything for his daughter and wife, but in the end he chose his firm and power over Michelle. He didn't even show up to his own wife's funeral.
- Wise Beyond Their Years: Michelle is only sixteen, but she's already facing some tough choices in life that occasionally forces her to act older than her age, due to her father being the head of Mix.
- Wrong Side of the Tracks: Lupin and Jigen start out staying at a hotel in one. As they walk to get ice at the local convenience store, two cars gunfighting drive by and Jigen absentmindedly stops a purse robbery. When Lupin asks the owner of the store if he gets robbed at least three times a week, the owner calmly responds no... he gets robbed five times a week.
