Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo

Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo

Year: 1978

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Soji Yoshikawa

CrimeComedyAdventureDramaAnimation

An extraordinary master thief builds a world‑class art collection, only to find his ambitions tangled with a beautiful rival. To win her affection he daringly confronts a seemingly immortal, ruthless recluse, risking his life to uncover the hidden agenda behind the wealthy recluse’s secret plans.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 20th century

The narrative unfolds in a contemporary era with modern institutions and technology—air forces, nuclear power, and high-stakes espionage. Immortality and cloning technologies are central motifs that blend sci-fi elements into a worldly, action-packed pursuit. The setting supports bold cross-border chases and high-tech confrontations across diverse locales.

Location

Transylvania, Giza Necropolis, Paris, Caribbean island, Colombia

The action spans several iconic locations: Castle Dracula in Transylvania, the Giza Necropolis in Egypt, and the streets of Paris. The crew then flees to a Caribbean island fortress and a base in Colombia, driving a globe-trotting chase. Each locale provides distinct backdrops for heists, escapes, and confrontations with Mamo's forces.

🗺️ European settings 🧭 Globe-trotting 🏰 Castle sequences 🌍 Global chase

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:17

Main Characters – Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978)

Meet the key characters of Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Arsène Lupin III (Yasuo Yamada)

Lupin is a charismatic and clever thief who leads the gang through a globe-spanning chase. He thrives on freedom and improvises plans to outsmart enemies, especially Mamo. His relationship with Fujiko adds complexity as he balances desire with loyalty to his crew.

🎭 Charismatic thief 🧠 Master planner 💘 Romantic & loyal

Inspector Koichi Zenigata (Gorô Naya)

Zenigata is the relentless pursuer of Lupin, never backing down from the chase. He uses wit and persistence to close in on Lupin, even as the targets slip away. His pursuit creates the cat-and-mouse energy that drives many confrontations.

🕵️ Relentless investigator 🎯 Persistent pursuer ⚖️ Lawful foil

Fujiko Mine (Eiko Masuyama)

Fujiko is Lupin's enigmatic partner and love interest, adept at disguises and manipulation. She pursues the Philosopher's Stone for her own reasons, sometimes betraying Lupin to secure advantage or a client. Her charm and cunning make her a wild card whose loyalties shift as the plot requires.

💃 Femme fatale 🧠 Strategic thinker 💔 Romantic complicator

Daisuke Jigen (Kiyoshi Kobayashi)

Jigen is Lupin's steady marksman and loyal ally, offering calm focus and precise action in dangerous situations. He challenges plans that rely on Fujiko's schemes and brings a pragmatic approach to danger. His loyalty remains solid even as plans change or betrayals occur.

🎯 Sharpshooter 🤝 Loyal partner 🧊 Calm under pressure

Goemon Ishikawa XIII (Makio Inoue)

Goemon is a sword-wielding samurai who upholds a personal code of honor. He provides formidable combat and a counterbalance to Lupin's improvisation, enduring setbacks and seeking to regain his edge. His loyalty to the group remains strong, even when plans shift.

⚔️ Samurai honor 🗡️ Sword master 🤖 Stoic ally

Mamo (Kō Nishimura)

Mamo is a centuries-old mastermind who manipulates events to test Lupin's skills and Fujiko's loyalty. He claims immortality through cloning and reveals a vast, almost god-like plan to repopulate the Earth. His arrogance collapses as Lupin thwarts his scheme, culminating in a dramatic confrontation.

🧬 Cloning mastermind 🧠 Intellectual tyrant 🌌 Ancient power

Flinch (Shozo Iizuka)

Flinch is one of Mamo's ruthless henchmen who destroys Lupin's hideout and pursues the gang. He represents the brutal, immediate threat posed by Mamo's organization. His clashes with the crew escalate the stakes, pushing Lupin to outsmart a new wave of danger.

🗡️ Henchman 🔥 Ruthless enforcer 🏃‍♂️ Quick to act

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:17

Major Themes – Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978)

Explore the central themes of Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗺️ Adventure

Lupin's quest spans multiple countries, from Transylvania to Colombia, driven by a perpetual chase with Zenigata. The globe-trotting setup creates momentum and variety in action and settings. The team improvises to outwit threats, turning near disaster into opportunities. The journey itself is as important as the jewels or stones they seek.

🧬 Immortality

The mastermind Mamo pursues immortality through cloning technology that keeps him alive for millennia. The film explores the costs of such power—deception, manipulation, and a god-like hunger for control. Lupin's values clash with Mamo's hunger for eternal life, highlighting the fragility of unlimited power. The climax reveals that even vast lifespans cannot substitute for genuine connection or moral choice.

💘 Love & Betrayal

Fujiko's pursuit of wealth and a mysterious client complicates her relationship with Lupin, oscillating between ally and betrayer. The couple's dynamics drive key turning points, including betrayals that fracture trust within the crew. The tension between loyalty and self-interest adds emotional weight to the action-heavy plot. Betrayal ultimately tests Lupin's resolve and his willingness to protect his friends.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:17

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Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo Summary

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Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo Summary

Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo Timeline

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Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo Timeline

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