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Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) movie poster

Plot Summary

Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 106 mins · Japanese
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Directed by
Hajime Kamegaki
Starring
Miyu Irino, Minami Takayama, Megumi Hayashibara, Rikiya Koyama, Daisuke Namikawa, Kiyoshi Kobayashi

Tiny genius vs. Master thief. Conan Edogawa sets out to apprehend Lupin the Third, the suspect of stealing a jewel called Cherry Sapphire.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

In a dazzling Tokyo caper, Kaito Kid steals a fabulous diamond, but his methods signal a break from his usual playbook. Conan Edogawa hot on the trail seems close to catching him, yet a shadowy swordsman disrupts the pursuit by slicing Conan’s skateboard in half. Only after this sudden clash does Conan piece together a larger truth: the real architect of the evening’s chaos is Lupin the Third, a thief who is not acting freely but is coerced. Lupin’s predicament is tied to his beloved Fujiko Mine, who has been taken hostage with a dangerous collar around her neck that will detonate if Lupin fails to cooperate. The staged diamond heist, which Lupin quickly abandons, was never about the gem itself; it was a test of his abilities, aimed at something far more valuable: a legendary gemstone called the Cherry Sapphire, pursued by a shadowy employer who calls himself Alan Smithee.

As the puzzle widens, the police step in. The Tokyo Police, led by Inspector Megure, turn to Lupin’s would-be nemesis Koichi Zenigata for insight, enlisting the help of Lupin’s allies, including the capable Miwako Sato and the quick-thinking Wataru Takagi. Despite Zenigata’s precautions, Lupin—who has shown himself capable of outsmarting even the sharpest pursuers—disguises himself as Takagi and engineers a bold theft of the gemstone, slipping away with it as the night air hums around Tokyo’s skyline.

Meanwhile, a new player arrives in town: Italian pop sensation Emilio Baretti, whose arrival in Japan is meant to be simple publicity. But Conan notices something hidden in Baretti’s entourage—Daisuke Jigen, the famed marksman, among the group. In parallel, Ran Mouri’s friend Sonoko Suzuki arranges a pre-concert meeting with Baretti in his hotel, only to stumble upon Megure, his team, and Baretti’s manager, Claudia Belucci, along with his producer, Luciano Carnevale. A threatening letter has already warned Baretti to cancel the concert, yet Carnevale pushes ahead, insisting the show go on. Baretti’s perilous world becomes clearer when it’s revealed that Carnevale, affiliated with the Italian Mafia, uses the event as a cover for illicit dealings. As tensions rise, the concert becomes a backdrop for a much larger scheme.

The plot thickens as Conan and Lupin’s paths converge again during a clandestine tour of the Tokyo Skytree. Baretti, once more under pressure, pushes to end the arrangement, believing the danger stems from a plan to sabotage the show. A windstorm pushes them into peril, but Conan, Jigen, and Sonoko intervene just in time to save Baretti. The musician finally concedes that Carnevale orchestrated the threat to force the Japan tour into a high-stakes deal, and that the real objective is not the diamond but a powerful ore. The middleman behind the operation and the true owner of the Cherry Sapphire are revealed to be Daisuke Jigen and Goemon Ishikawa XIII—Lupin’s partners in the larger hunt. Lupin has been hired by the Vespanian government to retrieve a rare ore that makes stealth technology possible, a discovery that could shift the balance of power in a tense international landscape. The enigmatic Alan Smithee aims to use the ore to offset a neighboring nation’s military strength, a scheme that even Queen Sakura and her daughter Mira would not endorse.

As the chase ramps up, Smithee is caught in the crossfire of loyalties and betrayals. He attempts to flee with Conan as a hostage, but Lupin—together with Conan—races to thwart him. Carnevale, trying to escape, fires a minigun at the heroes and damages the flight controls, prompting a perilous sequence of decompression and a desperate struggle for survival. In the end, Lupin reveals that the Cherry Sapphire is crafted in part from Vespanian ore, a crucial detail that allows Conan and Lupin to turn the tables on the attackers. They bail out from the malfunctioning plane with parachutes and are rescued by a submarine crew, with Fujiko Mine and Ai Haibara lending their aid from the sidelines. A post-credits moment shows Baretti safely departing Japan, while Lupin encounters a familiar rival—Kaito Kid—who beats him to another Kansai temple treasure as payback for Lupin dressing as him, keeping the cycle of rivalry alive.

Throughout the film, the threads of deception, loyalty, and risk intertwine, painting a portrait of two legendary factions—Lupin’s roguish ingenuity and Conan’s relentless problem-solving—each chasing a prize that is not just a gemstone but a key to a much larger power struggle. The story moves through crowded streets, high towers, and moving convoys, never losing its core: a tension between freedom and coercion, between personal loyalty and the larger political stage, and between the thrill of the heist and the danger that follows when lives are put at stake. The cast of characters—ranging from the quick-witted Conan Edogawa and the suave Lupin the Third to the calculating Fujiko Mine and the roguish Kaito Kid—weaves a complex, cinematic tapestry that keeps the stakes high and the surprises coming until the final moments.

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:08

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Plot questions answered

Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why is Lupin forced to steal the Cherry Sapphire?

Lupin is coerced into the heist because Fujiko Mine has been captured and fitted with an explosive collar that will detonate if he refuses to cooperate. The mysterious employer Alan Smithee uses Fujiko's life as leverage, forcing Lupin to stage the diamond theft as a test of his abilities before targeting the more valuable Cherry Sapphire.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene shows Lupin abandoning the initial diamond theft, hinting that something more significant drives his actions.

  • lupin third
  • fujiko mine
  • hostage
  • cherry sapphire
  • coercion
  • alan smithee
Q2

What is the Vespanian ore and why does it matter?

The Vespanian ore is a rare mineral that enables stealth technology, making it extremely valuable for military applications. Lupin was secretly hired by the Vespanian government to retrieve this ore from the Cherry Sapphire, which is partially made from the material. The geopolitical stakes involve shifting the military balance of power against a neighboring nation.

Foreshadowing: The Cherry Sapphire is repeatedly described as something far more valuable than a simple gem, foreshadowing its unique composition.

  • vespanian ore
  • stealth technology
  • military
  • cherry sapphire
  • geopolitics
Q3

Who is Alan Smithee and what is his goal?

Alan Smithee is a shadowy employer who orchestrates the heist by coercing Lupin through Fujiko's capture. His true goal is to obtain the Vespanian ore embedded in the Cherry Sapphire to develop stealth technology that would offset a neighboring nation's military strength. He operates from behind the scenes, hiring Lupin while also working with Italian mafia connections.

Foreshadowing: Smithee's identity is revealed gradually through the convergence of multiple factions, with his motives tied to the larger political scheme.

  • alan smithee
  • employer
  • stealth tech
  • military balance
  • vespanian
Q4

Why is Fujiko Mine in danger throughout the movie?

Fujiko Mine is held hostage by Alan Smithee's organization with a dangerous collar around her neck that will explode if Lupin fails to complete the assigned tasks or attempts to betray them. This creates constant personal stakes for Lupin, who must balance completing the mission with saving Fujiko's life.

Foreshadowing: The early reveal of Fujiko's captivity establishes the emotional motivation that drives Lupin's reluctant cooperation throughout the film.

  • fujiko mine
  • hostage
  • explosive collar
  • danger
  • lupin
Q5

What is Emilio Baretti's role in the plot?

Italian pop singer Emilio Baretti arrives in Japan for a concert, unaware that his tour is being used as a cover for illegal dealings by his producer Luciano Carnevale, who is affiliated with the Italian Mafia. Daisuke Jigen infiltrates Baretti's entourage as part of Lupin's coordinated operation, and the concert venue becomes a key location where the various schemes converge.

Foreshadowing: Conan notices Jigen among Baretti's group early on, signaling the connection between the seemingly unrelated concert and the heist.

  • emilio baretti
  • concert
  • italian mafia
  • jigen
  • lupin crew
Q6

How does the Cherry Sapphire save the plane?

During the climactic mid-air confrontation, Alan Smithee fires missiles at the aircraft. Lupin reveals that the Cherry Sapphire is partially made from Vespanian ore, which has properties that allow him to counter the missile strikes and stabilize the plane. This turns the gemstone into a crucial tool for survival rather than just a prize.

Foreshadowing: The ore's significance is revealed earlier when Jigen and Goemon are identified as the true owners of the Cherry Sapphire with knowledge of its composition.

  • cherry sapphire
  • plane
  • missile
  • vespanian ore
  • escape
  • climax
Q7

How does Lupin disguise himself as Takagi to steal the gem?

Lupin exploits the chaos during the police pursuit by disguising himself as Inspector Wataru Takagi, using his mastery of disguise to blend in with the police force. This allows him to get close to the Cherry Sapphire under the guise of official business and execute the theft in plain sight before escaping into the Tokyo night.

Foreshadowing: The disguise works because Zenigata has already enlisted Takagi's help, making Takagi's presence at the scene believable.

  • lupin
  • takagi disguise
  • theft
  • cherry sapphire
  • police
Q8

Why do Conan and Lupin work together against Smithee?

Although Conan initially pursues Lupin as a suspect, they eventually team up because their interests align against the greater threat. Both want to stop Alan Smithee, who has taken Conan hostage and represents a dangerous criminal organization. Their combined efforts, Conan's detective skills and Lupin's heist expertise, prove necessary to survive the mid-air confrontation and thwart the villain.

Foreshadowing: Conan realizes early on that Lupin is coerced rather than acting voluntarily, planting the seeds for their eventual cooperation.

  • conan
  • lupin
  • alliance
  • smithee
  • team up
  • hostage
Q9

Why does Kaito Kid appear in the post-credits scene?

The post-credits scene shows Kaito Kid beating Lupin to treasure at a Kansai temple, serving as payback for Lupin previously dressing as the Kid during the heist. This playful exchange reinforces the ongoing rivalry between the two master thieves and sets up their classic cat-and-mouse dynamic for future encounters.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes Kaito Kid's involvement with his unusual methods, hinting at the rivalry that resurfaces at the end.

  • kaito kid
  • post credits
  • rivalry
  • treasure
  • lupin
Q10

Is the Cherry Sapphire the original target or was it changed?

The initial diamond theft that Kaito Kid performs is revealed to be merely a test orchestrated by Alan Smithee to evaluate Lupin's abilities. The real target was always the Cherry Sapphire, a legendary gemstone that contains the valuable Vespanian ore needed for stealth technology. Lupin quickly discards the diamond once the true objective is revealed.

Foreshadowing: Lupin abandons the diamond almost immediately after obtaining it, signaling that it was never the primary goal.

  • cherry sapphire
  • diamond
  • target
  • test
  • lupin
  • alan smithee

Movie threads

More Movies Like Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie, by Mood & Story

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

Rival Genius Movies like Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie

Brilliant minds clash in a dangerous, high-stakes game of wits. If you enjoyed the clever cat-and-mouse game in Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie, explore these other films featuring brilliant rivalries. These movies pit masterminds against each other in high-stakes situations, full of strategic plays and intellectual tension.

  • clever
  • rivalry
  • high-stakes
  • strategic
  • tense
  • calculated
  • Tone: tense, calculated, playful
  • Pacing: fast, strategic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically center on a protracted duel between highly intelligent characters. The plot unfolds as a series of moves and countermoves, where outsmarting the opponent is the primary conflict. The journey is as much about respecting the rival's skill as it is about defeating them, often leading to a complex relationship between adversaries.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core focus on intellectual rivalry as the main driving force. They feature a similar mix of tension, playful respect between foes, and a narrative structure built around clever strategies and high-stakes challenges.

Complex Heist Movies like Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie

Intricate plots where a simple heist unravels into a much larger conspiracy. Fans of the intricate conspiracy and high-flying action in Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie will enjoy these similar stories. Discover films where elaborate capers reveal deeper mysteries, involving multiple factions and international intrigue.

  • suspenseful
  • complex
  • conspiracy
  • high-stakes
  • adventurous
  • unraveling
  • Tone: tense, adventurous, mysterious
  • Pacing: fast, unraveling
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a clear goal, often a MacGuffin, but rapidly introduces complications from external forces like shadowy organizations or rival gangs. The story involves piecing together a larger puzzle, dealing with betrayals, and adapting plans on the fly. The journey is a chaotic race against time through a landscape of hidden motives.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific plot structure where a caper serves as the entry point to a sprawling conspiracy. They are united by their fast pace, complex plots with multiple actors, and a blend of action with cerebral problem-solving.

Every angle

Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie 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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