An interesting callback to the early days of Lupin III.
Released on April 3rd, 2002, Lupin III: Return of the Magician (Japanese: ルパン三世『生きていた魔術師』) is the second OVA of the Lupin III series. Also known as Return of Pycal, this special revolves around the return of Pycal, the magician shown in the first series, as well as seven crystals from Ancient Greece with certain powers. There are quite a few throwbacks to the early days of Lupin scattered throughout this special.
Contains the following tropes:
- Back from the Dead: Pycal is back, now with seemingly genuine magical powers and a bone to pick with Lupin.
- Continuity Nod: Of sorts. The entire premise of the OVA revolves around the literal return of Pycal, who fought against the team in the second episode of Part I of the anime, which was inspired by the seventh chapter in the original manga series.
- Doing in the Scientist: The original manga story and its TV adaptation had explained Pycal's abilities with science. Here, however, they seem to be almost pure magic, with little, if any science involved.
- Fanservice Extra: In the beginning, a trio of magician girls perform at the party, changing into a series of card suits-themed outfits, only to suddenly appear stark naked as a sign that Lupin has struck. All three of them are uniformly buxom and attractive, as well as averting the Nipple and Dimed trope.
- Invincible Villain: This time, Pycal seemingly is an invicible, powerful sorcerer.
- Medium Blending: Flashbacks to the original story aren't shown as clips of the episode in question. Instead, pages from the original manga story are shown.
- Ms. Fanservice: There's a very noticeable amount of it, not only from Fujiko (who is shown twice in naked form), but also from a couple of minor characters.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Zenigata, in the first act, actually tries to murder Lupin, revealing that he actually is an impostor.
- Our Vampires Are Different: Halfway through, the group theorize that Pycal has, somehow, become a Vampire, because ne never appears before sunset. In the climax, Pycal's seemingly Weakened by the Light and falls to his death while trying to fly away from his lair over the sea.
- Shameful Strip: Lupin reveals his presence by suddenly depriving the three girls performing at the party (implied to be the owner's daughters) of their clothes mid-show, causing them to squeal embarassed and cover themselves.
- Shout-Out: To various Greek myths, such as Orpheus' harp and the Sirens' song from The Odyssey, in lampshaded form.
