Flowers and Storms and a Thieves' Race note with the English title of It's a Purloin-a-palooza!.
In order to celebrate one of the world’s oldest profession (Thievery), a special event is taking place in Japan: The Thief Olympic Games and the Thieves Race, with scoundrels and rogues from all the world participating to this race from Hokkaido to the southern tip of Japan in Sakura Island. Needless to say, among these infamous outlaws there’s also the favorite team: Lupin the Third and Jigen Daisuke, who both emerged victorious from the last two Olympics and now are ready to win a third time. While Lupin makes note of the other dangerous participants, namely the American team lead by Turker and the Kosuinin Soviet team, Zenigata is furious for this turn of events, as the ICPO is monitoring the event but has forbidden him from interfering, and swears to arrest Lupin.
True to his word, he tries to do so just as the race starts but he’s nearly run over. The next important stop is at Hakodate, where Zenigata has put a massive barricade to keep Lupin from leaving Hokkaido, but the thief came prepared and not only he’s able to surpass the barricade but he also adapted his car so that it can cross the sea. Back on Honshu mainland, the race steadily continues, with many of the participants injured or killed in the heated battle. As for Lupin and Jigen, they escape the trap set in a tunnel, and the murderous methods of the Soviet and American team, which are seemingly joining forces. Meanwhile, in Sakura Island, under an old lighthouse lies a secret, highly technological lair where a heavily bandaged man is cared for by a butler while swearing revenge on Lupin. Turns out that this man is none other than Phantoma Mark III, the infamous leader of the former Phantoma Empire who was defeated in the past by Lupin, who stopped his plan to cause global flooding. Having barely survived the destruction of his base, now the elusive criminal seeks revenge on Lupin, claiming that the trap he prepared for him will surely end his life. Meanwhile, the race goes on, with the reporters making tasteless interviews with the injured racers while an exasperated Zenigata learns from his boss that they have orders from above to not interfere in the race, which is followed world-wide, all while watching the race on TV and asking Zenigata who’s going to win according to him, with the inspector claiming that Lupin will.
Meanwhile the thief finds himself in a pinch when Turker and the Kosuinin team join forces and try to crush Lupin’s car between their vehicles, but he manages to trick the duo and crash them in an airport, getting rid of his most dangerous opponents and he and Jigen proceed unopposed to Sakura Island, unaware that Phantoma is watching their progress with glee. However, Fujiko somehow has learnt of Phantoma’s involvement in the race and warns Goemon, who was meditating under a waterfall in the wilderness. As Lupin approaches the goal, unaware of both Zenigata’s presence and Phantoma’s trap, Goemon finds the hideout and, using Zantetsuken, slice the lighthouse in pieces, causing a tidal wave that seemingly submerges the underground lair while he calmly walks away. However, his intervention was too late: as Lupin and Jigen are about to cut the finishing line where Zenigata is waving the flag, a massive earthquake starts, and Lupin’s car is slowly swallowed by a veritable maelstrom of mud and stones.
Everyone flee in panic, while the car sinks under the astonished gaze of both Zenigata and Fujiko, who just arrived on a helicopter, with seemingly no hope of salvation for the duo… when Lupin, presses a button which eject his and Jigen’s seat from the car, allowing them to escape Phantoma’s trap and be rescued by Fujiko. On the helicopter, Lupin is angry at Phantoma, but he still admits that now there’s another proof that he’s the best thief around, with Jigen replying that this only means that Zenigata will chase him with even more effort, and just as he said the inspector still runs yelling after the helicopter leaving the ruined island.
This episode contains examples of:
- Absurdly Sharp Blade: Zantetsuken makes short work of a lighthouse tower in this episode.
- Ask a Stupid Question...: Mixed with Black Comedy, the announcer merrily asks a dying pilot how it feels to die onscreen, receiving only an unintelligible groan as an answer.
- Call-Back: When the villain is introduced, we're remembered of Lupin's first clash with Phantoma Mark.
- Dishing Out Dirt: Phantoma's trap causes a colossal, whirling sinkhole of dirt and stone to swallow Lupin's car with all the finishing line in a maelstrom of destruction.
- Eye Scream: Phantoma now has fake eyeballs, and has them plucked out and polished by his attendant.
- Expy: A heavily-disfigured, revenge-hungry villain previously encountered by the heroes who are responsible for his current state of things and is preparing a grand vengeance act to kill his enemy? When have we heard of that before?
- Kaizo Trap: Non-videoludic example, even if Phantoma and his base were disposed of by Goemon, the trap prepared for Lupin still goes on.
- Only Sane Man: In a way, Zenigata, who still tries to have Lupin arrested while his boss is willing to suspend every action because hey, the Thieves' Race is popular!
- Out of Focus: The episode is focused mostly on Lupin and Jigen, while Fujiko and Goemon play a minor but important role.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Phantoma's plan of vengeance will cause a tremendous devastation on the entire island, but Phantoma doesn't care, as long as Lupin dies.
- Screams Like a Little Girl: In the original dub, the Russian driver lets out an hilariously high-pitched squeal when he nearly burns himself with the lighter.
- Uncertain Doom: Though it's presumed that the tidal wave submerged the lab, it wouldn't be the first time that a villain like Phantoma cheats Death.
