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Lupin III: The First (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Lupin III: The First (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 93 mins · Japanese
Echo score 84
Directed by
Takashi Yamazaki
Starring
Suzu Hirose, Daisuke Namikawa, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Miyuki Sawashiro, Kanichi Kurita

The legendary gentleman thief Lupin III is back in a thrilling, globe-trotting adventure. He and his skilled team must race against time to find the secrets hidden within the Bresson Diary. Their mission is complicated by a dangerous organization seeking to exploit the diary’s contents and revive the Third Reich. The stakes are high as Lupin and his companions navigate perilous situations and confront formidable adversaries in this action-packed pursuit.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (13)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Lupin III: The First (2019)

Where can you watch Lupin III: The First? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 main characters · contains spoilers

Lupin III: The First Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Lupin III: The First (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Laetitia Lambert (Laëtitia) – Suzu Hirose

    An archaeology student who is the granddaughter of Professor Bresson and is drawn into the hunt for the Eclipse. Despite being adopted by Lambert, she holds crucial knowledge about the diary and the book’s rightful owner. Her resilience and curiosity push her to navigate danger and seek a path to study in Boston.

    • 💡 Protagonist
    • 🧭 Scholar
    • 🛡️ Determined
  • Arsène Lupin III – Kanichi Kurita

    A charismatic master thief who orchestrates a clever counterplay against Lambert and the antagonists. He uses wit, charm, and resourcefulness to protect his friends and oppose the misuse of the Eclipse’s power. His actions reveal a code that values freedom and clever problem-solving over brute force.

    • 🕶️ Masterminds
    • 🗡️ Thief
    • 🛡️ Ally
  • Goemon Ishikawa XIII – Daisuke Namikawa

    A skilled swordsman whose calm, precise nature provides a steady counterpoint to Lupin’s schemes. He contributes decisive operations and a steadfast sense of honor as the team navigates danger. His presence underscores a balance between tradition and daring action.

    • ⚔️ Swordsman
    • 🧭 Loyal
  • Daisuke Jigen – Kiyoshi Kobayashi

    A cool-headed marksman whose sharp shooting and quick thinking keep the crew safe under pressure. He offers reliable support and practical strategy during high-stakes chases. Jigen’s calm demeanor helps to anchor the group amid chaos.

    • 🎯 Marksman
    • 🧭 Trusted
  • Fujiko Mine – Miyuki Sawashiro

    A cunning operative who leverages duplicity and charm to advance her own interests. She repeatedly tests loyalties and uses information as a bargaining chip. Her actions complicate the plan but also create openings for the team to exploit.

    • 🕵️‍♀️ Manipulator
    • 🗺️ Opportunist
  • Inspector Koichi Zenigata – Koichi Yamadera

    The tireless investigator chasing Lupin, who shifts from pursuer to ally as the stakes escalate. His persistence and wry humor keep the pursuit grounded, even as the plot grows more fantastical. He ultimately joins forces with Lupin to thwart the villains.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Detective
    • 🧭 Loyal
  • Lambert – Kotaro Yoshida

    A cunning antagonist who adopts Laetitia to obtain the diary and Eclipse. His relentless ambition drives the pursuit, and his manipulation exposes the fragility of loyalty. He believes control of the Eclipse will cement his power.

    • 🗡️ Villain
    • 🧭 Manipulator
  • Adolf Hitler – Mitsuru Takakuwa

    A central antagonist who aims to resurrect the Third Reich using the Eclipse. His pursuit represents the darkest outcome of power—corrupting science and history for domination. He serves as a catalyst that intensifies the conflict among all factions.

    • 👑 Dictator
    • 🧪 Dangerous
  • Geralt – Tatsuya Fujiwara

    An Ahnenerbe leader whose pursuit of the Eclipse reveals a deeper plan to reshape history. Calculating and ruthless, he moves the plot toward a catastrophic confrontation. His schemes hinge on exploiting others’ ambitions to reach the artifact.

    • 🧭 Strategist
    • 🧨 Antagonist
  • Professor Bresson –

    The arheologist who entrusts his diary and amulet to his family, sparking the entire quest. His work and the Eclipse’s legend drive generations of characters to chase or defend the artifact.

    • 🎓 Archeologist
    • 🕰️ Catalyst
  • Laëtitia's Father – Takeshi Hayakawa

    Laëtitia’s parent figure, offering support and grounding as tensions rise around the Eclipse and the diary. His role provides a familial anchor to the young archaeologist’s journey.

    • 👨‍👧 Family
    • 🛡️ Support
  • Laëtitia's Mother – Yuki Kazu

    Laëtitia’s mother, whose presence highlights the personal stakes in the search for history and safety for her child. She represents the everyday life touched by global intrigue.

    • 👩‍👧 Family
    • 💖 Support
  • Hans – Osamu Taira

    An Ahnenerbe operative aligned with Lambert’s faction, contributing to the broader threat that Lupin and friends must outmaneuver. His role adds to the high-stakes network of agents in pursuit of the Eclipse.

    • 🧭 Operative
    • 🗡️ Enemy

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

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Setting

Where and When Does Lupin III: The First Take Place?

The setting of Lupin III: The First (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1940s, 1960s

The film spans two eras: the 1940s amid Nazi occupation and the later 1960s when the diary and Eclipse re-emerge in a modern treasure hunt. The 1960s reframe the stakes with Lupin, Zenigata, and friends attempting to thwart Lambert and Geralt. Each period shapes the motives and risks around power, history, and legacy.

Location

German-occupied France, Teotihuacan ruins, Berlin, Boston

The story begins in German-occupied France, where a trapped diary and a mysterious amulet spark a dangerous chase. It then shifts to Teotihuacan's ancient ruins, the hidden home of the Eclipse's power, before moving through Berlin and a shadowy Ahnenerbe base. In the 1960s, the pursuit returns to Boston as Laetitia studies archaeology and Lupin’s gang fights to outmaneuver their enemies.

  • 🎖️ WWII backdrop
  • 🏛️ Archaeology
  • 🗺️ Global chase
  • 🚁 Adventure

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

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3 major themes

Lupin III: The First Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Lupin III: The First (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Power and Technology

    The Eclipse embodies a monumental leap in energy and control, capable of reshaping outcomes on a global scale. The story probes the ethical cost of wielding such technology, especially when used by ruthless regimes or careless collectors. It asks who should decide how such power is used, and what safeguards, if any, can prevent catastrophe.

  • Legacy

    Family history drives the plot: Bresson’s diary, Lambert’s adoption of Laetitia, and Lupin’s ancestral ties to the case reveal how the past informs present choices. Characters wrestle with whether they should claim a lineage’s power or protect others from it. The pursuit becomes a test of responsible stewardship versus self-interest.

  • Deception

    Disguises, misdirection, and shifting loyalties propel the drama, blurring lines between ally and foe. The cast relies on wits and doubles to outsmart adversaries, while the truth remains elusive. Trust is earned through demonstrated action, not appearances.

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:19

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Character & theme questions

Lupin III: The First Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Lupin III: The First (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The story unfolds across multiple global locations. It begins in German-occupied France during WWII, then shifts to the ancient Teotihuacan ruins in Mexico, moves through Berlin and a secretive Ahnenerbe base, and concludes in 1960s Boston where Laetitia studies archaeology.

  • locations
  • settings
  • Teotihuacan
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • France
Q2

What time periods does the story span?

The film spans two distinct eras: the 1940s during Nazi occupation when the diary and Eclipse were first hidden, and the 1960s when the artifacts re-emerge in a modern treasure hunt. This dual timeline shapes the motives and stakes around power, history, and legacy.

  • 1940s
  • 1960s
  • time period
  • WWII
  • 1960s era
Q3

What is the Eclipse artifact in the story?

The Eclipse is a powerful device hidden within the Bresson Diary, capable of reshaping outcomes on a global scale. It represents a monumental leap in energy and technology that several factions, including neo-Nazi elements, seek to control for domination.

  • Eclipse
  • Bresson Diary
  • artifact
  • power
  • technology
Q4

What are the main themes explored?

The movie explores three core themes: Power and Technology, examining the ethical costs of wielding immense power; Legacy, showing how family history and the past inform present choices; and Deception, featuring disguises, misdirection, and shifting loyalties that blur lines between allies and enemies.

  • themes
  • power
  • technology
  • legacy
  • deception
  • ethics
Q5

Who is Laetitia and what is her role?

Laetitia is an archaeology student and the granddaughter of Professor Bresson, who was adopted by the antagonist Lambert to gain access to the diary. Despite this complicated past, she holds crucial knowledge about the Eclipse and becomes a key figure in the hunt, driven by curiosity and resilience.

  • Laetitia
  • character
  • archaeology
  • Bresson
  • granddaughter
Q6

Who are the main villains in the film?

The primary antagonists include Lambert, who adopts Laetitia to obtain the Eclipse; Geralt, the ruthless Ahnenerbe leader seeking to reshape history; and Hitler, representing the darkest aspect of power as he aims to resurrect the Third Reich. Each embodies different facets of ambition and corruption.

  • villains
  • Lambert
  • Geralt
  • Hitler
  • antagonists
  • Ahnenerbe
Q7

What is the Ahnenerbe organization?

The Ahnenerbe is a shadowy historical organization depicted in the film as pursuing the Eclipse to reshape history. Led by Geralt, they operate from a secret base and work to exploit the artifact's power, representing the dangerous intersection of historical obsession and extremist ideology.

  • Ahnenerbe
  • organization
  • secret society
  • Geralt
Q8

Who is Lupin III and what drives him?

Lupin III is a charismatic master thief who orchestrates a clever counterplay against the villains. His motivation blends his ancestral ties to the case with a personal code that values freedom, clever problem-solving, and protecting his friends. He opposes the misuse of the Eclipse's power through wit and resourcefulness rather than brute force.

  • Lupin III
  • thief
  • protagonist
  • motivation
  • character
Q9

What does the film say about power and technology?

The movie probes the ethical cost of wielding transformative technology like the Eclipse, questioning who should decide how such power is used. It shows how ruthless regimes and careless collectors seek to exploit it, while exploring what safeguards, if any, can prevent catastrophic misuse.

  • power
  • technology
  • ethics
  • responsibility
  • Eclipse
Q10

How does legacy factor into the narrative?

Legacy drives the plot through Bresson's diary, Lambert's adoption of Laetitia, and Lupin's ancestral ties to the case. Characters grapple with whether to claim a lineage's power or protect others from it, making the pursuit a test of responsible stewardship versus self-interest.

  • legacy
  • family
  • Bresson
  • ancestry
  • heritage
Q11

Who is Inspector Zenigata and what is his role?

Inspector Zenigata is the tireless investigator who persistently chases Lupin III. However, as the stakes escalate, he shifts from pursuer to ally, ultimately joining forces with Lupin to thwart the villains. His persistence and wry humor ground the pursuit even as the plot grows more fantastical.

  • Zenigata
  • inspector
  • police
  • ally
  • chase
Q12

What is the significance of Teotihuacan in the story?

The Teotihuacan ruins in Mexico serve as the hidden home of the Eclipse's power. This ancient archaeological site provides the mystical backdrop for where the artifact's true nature is revealed, connecting the movie's themes of history and legacy to pre-Columbian civilization.

  • Teotihuacan
  • ruins
  • Mexico
  • archaeology
  • ancient

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.

Globetrotting Heist Adventures like Lupin III: The First

Witty ensembles pull off impossible capers against dangerous rivals. If you enjoyed the clever team dynamics and high-stakes action of Lupin III: The First, explore more movies with charming thief crews on impossible missions. This section features similar action-packed stories of witty ensembles, intricate capers, and globe-trotting adventures against dangerous rivals.

  • clever
  • thrilling
  • action-packed
  • witty
  • adventurous
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, witty, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, action-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a well-defined crew as they plan and execute an elaborate heist or mission, often involving a valuable artifact or secret. The story is structured around assembling the team, overcoming obstacles, and outsmarting a persistent foe. The journey is marked by a series of set pieces—chases, puzzles, and narrow escapes—that showcase each member's unique skills.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific mix of high-energy action, witty character banter, and a globe-trotting sense of adventure. They prioritize the thrill of the chase and the charm of a cohesive team over deep moral dilemmas, creating a consistently fun and tense experience.

Artifact Race Thrillers Similar to Lupin III: The First

Heroes must find a powerful relic before it falls into evil hands. Fans of Lupin III: The First will enjoy these movies centered on a desperate race against time to find a dangerous artifact. Discover similar thrilling stories where heroes and villains clash over historical secrets with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

  • urgent
  • high-stakes
  • thrilling
  • dangerous
  • historical
  • race against time
  • Tone: tense, urgent, dangerous
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is linear and goal-oriented: find the MacGuffin before the villains do. The journey unfolds as a series of clues and challenges, moving from one exotic location to the next. Tension is maintained through constant pressure from the rival faction, leading to confrontations, betrayals, and thrilling action sequences that escalate until the final confrontation.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their clear, high-stakes objective and the relentless pacing of a competition. They create a consistent mood of urgency and global scale, blending action, adventure, and historical intrigue into a cohesive and exciting package.

Every angle

Lupin III: The First (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Lupin III: The First in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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