YMMV / Lupin III: The First

• Awesome Music: The new rendition of the Lupin theme sounds absolutely delightful and fits perfectly whenever it's used throughout the film. The rest of the film's score is also a treat to listen to, filled with big band jazzy goodness.
• Estrogen Brigade: Jigen's design in this movie received near-memetic levels of appreciation from the internet for how (especially) ruggedly handsome he is.
• Fandom Rivalry: Although there are people enjoying both, there's a good helping of Lupin III: The First fans that harp on Earwig and the Witch by deeming that Lupin did a better job at translating the 2D anime characters into lively and well-textured 3D versions of themselves unlike the more uncanny and plasticky results of Earwig.
• Friendly Fandoms: Due to both films having involvement from Marza Animation Planet, fans of this film tend to get along with fans of Studio Ghibli's Earwig and the Witch and Sonic the Hedgehog (2020). It helps that GKIDS handled the North American release for both Lupin III: The First and Studio Ghibli's films and that Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki had a history with the Lupin III franchise. Meanwhile, the Lupin III franchise is owned by Sega, the company that made Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic has had a lot of influence from Lupin, particularly with the fan favourite character Rouge the Bat.
• Heartwarming Moments:
  • When Jigen catches Laetitia as she falls from Fujiko's plane, his hat flies off. Laetitia manages to catch it and put it back on his head. Look closely and you can see Jigen smile as he gently sets her down on the back of the Fiat, and even says "You're welcome, miss." when she thanks him.
  • Lupin uses his grandfather's cane and top hat - left in the third trial after Lupin I presumably tested the trap - to make it through the Laser Corridor, then pays his respects before planting the cane in the floor and hanging the hat on it.
  • After revealing that he teamed up with Lupin's gang and completely took over the Brazil base prior to Gerard arriving, Zenigata thanks Laetitia for playing her part, only to correct himself and refer to her as Miss Bresson.
  • The flashback to Lambert and Laetitia's first meeting. Little Laetitia is adorable. Lambert also shows that he isn't a completely heartless monster.
  • It's revealed in the end that Lupin swiped Laetitia's thesis from her apartment and sent it to Boston University on her behalf, giving her a replacement approval letter after Lambert ripped up the original. He also gives her the anti-gravity device for her to study despite how great it would be for use during heists.
• Spiritual Successor: To The Castle of Cagliostro, with both features having Lupin's gang and Zenigata get involved with a treasure hunt and a Moe supporting character plays a major role. Director Takashi Yamazaki was a big fan of Cagliostro and cites the film as an influence on The First.
• Tear Jerker:
  • Lambert's death. Despite being a Nazi co-conspirator seeking a WMD, his sacrifice finally demonstrates that he really does love his adopted granddaughter.
  • After the climax, Lupin thinks that he's going to die for real, so he addresses his grandfather one last time.
  • A mix of this and Heartwarming happens at the end credits, which begin with a final message from Kazuhiko Katō.
    I'd like to keep sending Lupin out for adventures all over the world.
    July 2017
    Monkey Punch
• Visual Effects of Awesome: The film has been praised for its realistic graphics that don't fall into the Unintentional Uncanny Valley and smooth animation that are faithfully blended with Lupin III's signature style, comparable in look and quality to a Disney/Pixar film.

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