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Lupin III: The First (2020) movie poster

Timeline

Lupin III: The First (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 93 min · Japanese
Echo score 85
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Directed by
Takashi Yamazaki
Starring
Suzu Hirose, Doug Erholtz, Alessandro D'Errico, J. David Brimmer, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Laurie Hymes

Suave thief Lupin III and his crew are on a dangerous mission to find the Bresson Diary, pursued by a shadowy organization attempting to resurrect the Third Reich's ideology. The adventure takes them across the globe, involving perilous tomb explorations, thrilling aerial chases, and daring escapes. Combining wit, cunning, and action, this pulse-pounding escapade offers excitement for both longtime fans and those new to Lupin’s world.

Action Adventure Mystery Crime Animation Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Lupin III: The First
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Lupin III: The First Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Lupin III: The First (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Bresson Entrusts His Family

    In German-occupied France, archaeologist Professor Bresson ensures the safety of his diary, believed to contain the key to the treasure known as the 'Eclipse,' by passing it to his family along with a valuable amulet. This act is a desperate attempt to protect the prize from falling into Nazi hands.

    Where
    France

  2. Bresson's Demise

    The situation escalates when German forces arrive, leading to Bresson's tragic death at their hands. As chaos ensues, his family attempts to escape, highlighting their determination to survive despite the looming dangers posed by Ahnenerbe's professor Lambert.

    Where
    France

  3. The Family's Escape and Crash

    While fleeing from Lambert, Bresson's family is pursued, resulting in a harrowing car crash. Tragically, only the infant daughter survives this horrific event, highlighting the heavy toll taken by the constant pursuit of the treasure.

    Where
    France

  4. The Diary Resurfaces

    Decades later, during a memorial exhibition for Bresson, his lost diary emerges. The event reignites interest in the 'Eclipse' treasure, setting the stage for a chain of events that draws in skilled thieves and treasure seekers alike.

    When
    1960s
    Where
    Exhibition Hall

  5. Lupin's Attempt to Steal the Diary

    Lupin III, intent on obtaining the diary, attempts to steal it but encounters unexpected challenges, including a clever young woman posing as a security guard and later Fujiko. This incident underscores the dangers and competition surrounding the treasure hunt.

    When
    1960s
    Where
    Exhibition Hall

  6. Lupin's Arrest and Escape

    Despite his efforts, Lupin is captured by Inspector Zenigata while attempting to secure the diary. However, fate takes a turn when his friends Jigen and Goemon stage a daring rescue, enabling Lupin's escape and further pursuit of the treasure.

    Where
    Prison

  7. The Call to Lambert

    Lupin reaches out to Laetitia, the security guard he had encountered, presenting her with a medal that connects them to the treasure. This pivotal moment leads Laetitia to summon her adoptive grandfather, Lambert, to aid in her quest for the diary.

    Where
    Laetitia's Home

  8. Fujiko's Betrayal

    Fujiko brings the diary to Ahnenerbe's renegade faction, including Lambert and their leader Geralt. However, her duplicity is soon unveiled, and she is captured, showcasing the infiltrative tactics being used by all the players in the search for the Eclipse.

    Where
    Ahnenerbe Hideout

  9. The Discovery of the Eclipse

    With the diary's contents revealed, Lupin and Laetitia learn about the Eclipse's true nature as a powerful artifact. The knowledge that it is hidden in the ruins of Teotihuacan becomes the catalyst for the ensuing race against Geralt and Lambert's team.

    Where
    Transport Plane

  10. Lupin's Surrender

    Lupin finds himself cornered and willingly surrenders to Geralt and Lambert, recognizing it as a strategic move. His quick thinking puts him in position for a potential rescue as Fujiko uses the distraction to make her own escape.

    Where
    Transport Plane

  11. A Desperate Alliance

    After a series of chaotic events aboard the plane, including Laetitia being thrown out and Lupin saving her, they team up with Inspector Zenigata. Their collective goal is to thwart Lambert and Geralt's ambitions, illustrating the shifting allegiances in their quest.

    Where
    Transport Plane

  12. The Activation of the Eclipse

    Geralt and Lambert locate the Eclipse's hiding spot but struggle to overcome its defenses without the diary. In a daring move, Lupin's team navigates traps to reach the Eclipse first, but soon realizes they have fallen into a deeper trap set by their foes.

    Where
    Teotihuacan

  13. Chaos Unleashed

    In a dramatic turn of events, Lambert utilizes the Eclipse to initiate chaos, hoping to solidify his control over its powers. His actions lead to a confrontation with Lupin's team, but the unexpected appearance of Zenigata complicates the situation.

    Where
    Ahnenerbe Headquarters

  14. The Final Confrontation

    Aboard the Eclipse, Lupin confronts Geralt, who seeks to exploit its power for nefarious purposes. As tensions rise, Lupin sabotages the device, unleashing a micro black hole that effectively eliminates Geralt but not without dire consequences.

    Where
    Eclipse

  15. A Bittersweet Farewell

    With victory at hand, Lupin's time with Laetitia comes to a poignant close, as he gifts her a gravity device and ensures her enrollment at Boston University. Their separation signals both an end and a new beginning for their intertwined fates in the treasure's legacy.

    Where
    Ahnenerbe Headquarters

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Timeline questions answered

Lupin III: The First Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Lupin III: The First (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

What is the Eclipse and why is it so important?

The Eclipse is an advanced power generator left behind by a long-lost civilization, hidden in the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan. The diary contains the knowledge needed to locate and activate it. The Nazis want it because it's an incredibly powerful weapon that could give them control over massive destructive capability.

Foreshadowing: The diary describes the Eclipse as an ancient treasure capable of granting immense power.

  • eclipse
  • bresson diary
  • teotihuacan
  • power generator
  • weapon
Q2

Why does Professor Lambert want the Eclipse?

Lambert seeks the Eclipse to gain immense power and profit from it. Though he works with the Ahnenerbe neo-Nazis, he appears to have his own agenda. His adoptive granddaughter Laetitia was originally meant to help him locate the Eclipse so he could claim its power for himself.

Foreshadowing: Lambert orchestrated Laetitia's theft of the diary under the false pretense of helping her education.

  • lambert
  • eclipse
  • profit
  • power
  • professor lambert
Q3

Who is Laetitia and what is her connection to the diary?

Laetitia Lambert is the infant daughter of Professor Bresson's family and his true granddaughter. During the Nazi pursuit in WWII, her family fled with the diary and amulet but died in a car crash caused by Lambert's pursuit. Lambert adopted her without knowing she was Bresson's granddaughter, using her to help steal the diary years later.

Foreshadowing: The infant daughter was the only survivor of the car crash that killed Bresson's family.

  • laetitia
  • bresson
  • granddaughter
  • lambert
  • adoption
Q4

Why does Lupin surrender to Geralt and Lambert?

Lupin surrenders deliberately as part of a strategic plan. Knowing he'd been led into a trap, he allowed himself to be captured so he could gather information while his team worked to rescue Laetitia. His surrender also created a distraction that allowed Fujiko to escape from captivity.

Foreshadowing: Lupin reveals he's aware of the trap while examining the diary on the transport plane.

  • lupin surrender
  • strategy
  • geralt
  • lambert
  • trap
Q5

How does Fujiko escape after being captured by the Nazis?

After delivering the diary to the Ahnenerbe hideout, Fujiko is discovered and captured by Geralt. However, when Lupin surrenders to Geralt and Lambert, he creates a distraction that allows Fujiko to slip away and escape to safety while the villains are focused on their new prisoner.

Foreshadowing: Fujiko's betrayal is discovered shortly after she delivers the diary.

  • fujiko
  • escape
  • capture
  • betrayal
  • ahnenerbe
Q6

Why does Inspector Zenigata team up with Lupin?

Zenigata reluctantly teams with Lupin because the situation has grown far beyond a simple theft. The neo-Nazi threat posed by Geralt and Lambert, who are attempting to acquire a devastating weapon, creates circumstances where Lupin's skills are necessary. Lupin also taunts Zenigata via radio to draw him into the conflict.

Foreshadowing: Lupin steals Interpol's helicopter and uses it to contact Zenigata.

  • zenigata
  • alliance
  • interpol
  • neo-nazis
  • geralt
Q7

How does Lupin defeat Geralt at the end?

Lupin infiltrates the Eclipse disguised as Hitler to get close to Geralt. When cornered, he reveals his identity and sabotages the Eclipse's controls, causing the device to unleash a micro black hole that consumes Geralt. This destroys the Eclipse but allows Lupin and his team to escape.

Foreshadowing: The Eclipse is described as a powerful device capable of dangerous energy release.

  • geralt
  • micro black hole
  • eclipse
  • defeat
  • lupin
Q8

What is the amulet's role in finding the Eclipse?

The amulet is a mystical artifact given to Bresson's family along with the diary. Together, the diary and amulet provide the key to unlocking the secrets of the Eclipse's location in Teotihuacan. Lambert seized the amulet during the WWII escape but couldn't find the diary, and later Lupin acquires the complementary amulet that matches Lambert's.

Foreshadowing: Bresson entrusts both the diary and amulet to his family before his death.

  • amulet
  • bresson
  • eclipse
  • teotihuacan
  • key
Q9

What was Lupin's grandfather's connection to Bresson?

Lupin's grandfather was a thief who attempted to steal the Bresson Diary years ago, just as Lupin does in the film. He actually helped Bresson discover the Eclipse but deliberately hid the diary to protect the treasure from falling into dangerous hands. He passed his medal down to Lupin as an heirloom.

Foreshadowing: Lupin carries a medal identical to the one taken by Lambert.

  • lupin grandfather
  • bresson
  • medal
  • eclipse
  • legacy
Q10

Why does Laetitia take control of the Eclipse?

When Geralt attempts to kill Laetitia, she instinctively grabs the Eclipse's controls and activates it, which inadvertently causes Lambert to be fatally injured in the process. This moment marks her transition from a pawn in Lambert's scheme to an active participant who helps determine the outcome of the conflict.

Foreshadowing: Lambert planned to use Laetitia to access the Eclipse's power.

  • laetitia
  • eclipse
  • control
  • lambert
  • activation

Movie threads

More Movies Like Lupin III: The First, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Lupin III: The First tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Globe-Trotting Treasure Hunts like Lupin III: The First

High-stakes animated quests for legendary artifacts, filled with daring escapes and ancient mysteries. If you enjoyed the high-flying adventure and archaeological mystery of Lupin III: The First, explore more movies like it. This section features animated films with similar high-stakes treasure hunts, daring heists, and thrilling chases across exotic locales.

  • thrilling
  • adventurous
  • daring
  • suspenseful
  • escapist
  • pulse-pounding
  • Tone: tense, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, action-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a clear objective: find the treasure before the villains do. The narrative is propelled by a series of action-packed sequences and puzzles, unfolding across multiple international locations. Character dynamics often involve a skilled team with complementary talents, facing off against a powerful antagonist with world-altering ambitions.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared core experience: a fast-paced, visually dynamic animated adventure built around a historical MacGuffin. They share a specific blend of high-intensity action, a tense but ultimately adventurous tone, and the excitement of a grand-scale quest.

Adventure Girl movie poster

Adventure Girl

1934
The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box movie poster

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box

2014
National Treasure movie poster

National Treasure

2004
National Treasure: Book of Secrets movie poster

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

2007
Journey to the Center of the Earth movie poster

Journey to the Center of the Earth

2008
Treasure Raiders movie poster

Treasure Raiders

2007
Treasure of the Four Crowns movie poster

Treasure of the Four Crowns

1983
Firewalker movie poster

Firewalker

1986

Movies with Charming Outlaws like the Crew in Lupin III: The First

Witty anti-heroes pull off impossible heists while thwarting dangerous conspiracies with global reach. Fans of Lupin III: The First who loved the dynamic of suave thieves battling a neo-Nazi conspiracy will find similar stories here. Discover movies featuring clever anti-heroes, intricate heists, and tense confrontations with powerful, evil organizations.

  • cunning
  • stylish
  • tense
  • high-stakes
  • suspenseful
  • witty
  • Tone: tense, cunning
  • Pacing: fast, stylish
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a skilled but morally grey protagonist or team taking on a job that unexpectedly pits them against a formidable foe—often a cult, corporation, or ideological group seeking power. The story is a cat-and-mouse game, with the outlaws using their wits and unique skills to survive and expose the conspiracy, often uncovering a dark historical secret in the process.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by a specific character dynamic and conflict type. The central draw is the clash between the nimble, charismatic outlaw and the slow, powerful, and ideologically driven antagonist. This creates a consistent vibe of stylish tension, clever problem-solving, and high-stakes action.

The Outlaws movie poster

The Outlaws

2017
The Adventurers movie poster

The Adventurers

2017
Out of Sight movie poster

Out of Sight

2010
American Outlaws movie poster

American Outlaws

2001
Out of Sight movie poster

Out of Sight

2006
The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos movie poster

The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos

2019
The Baytown Outlaws movie poster

The Baytown Outlaws

2013
On Guard movie poster

On Guard

1997

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Every angle

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