Rupan Sansei: Dead or Alive
| Lupin III: Dead or Alive |
|
| Directed by |
Kazuhiko Katō |
| Written by |
Hiroshi Sakakibara |
| Starring |
Kurita Kanichi |
| Music by |
Takayuki Negishi |
| Release date(s) |
April 20, 1996 |
| Running time |
97 min. |
| Language |
Japanese |
Lupin III: Dead or Alive (ルパン三世 DEAD OR ALIVE, Rupan Sansei: Deddo oa Araibu?) is a 1996 anime film. It is the fifth and latest feature film in the Lupin III franchise. The North American release was done by FUNimation; the film is available both individually and as part of the "First Haul" box set.
Summary
Lupin has set his sights on a the national treasure of the country of Zufu, placed for safe-keeping on a mysterious floating island by the country's late king. The island's super-intelligent defense mechanism, however, proves to be too much for Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon to handle by themselves. The key seems to be linked to the princess of Zufu, the only surviving member of the royal family. She is held prisoner by Zufu's current ruler, General Headhunter, who recently acquired rule over the country when he secretly pulled a coup d'etat and executed the country's king and prince. When Lupin's gang kidnaps the princess to get hold of the key, they pull in trouble by way of a deadly Zufu police agent named Olèander and a million-dollar bounty placed on Lupin's head by the psychotic Headhunter. Now, Lupin must find a safe way to the treasure, dodging bounty hunters at every turn.
Production
In spite of his director's credit, Monkey Punch only directed the opening and ending sequences; the rest of the film was primarily handled by the assistant director. He added he found the experience too demanding, and has no desire to direct any animation again. Monkey Punch has discussed this in both written interviews[1] and on the brief video interview on the Dead or Alive DVD as released by FUNimation.
References
External links