Every year they come out with a new Lupin the Third special. I have watched up to 14 of them and Lupin III episode 0 First Contact has to be the best one so far. The story is about how Everyone of the main characters in Lupin III franchise met each other for the first time. Lupin III , Fujiko , Jigen, Goemon and Inspector Zenigata are the characters in the story. Lupin, Fujiko and Goemon are all after the same artifact and Jigen is working for the mafia that has the treasure. Inspector Zenigata is following a lead on the criminal Fujiko. The setting Takesplace In New York.

The story is probally not as acurate on how they met but other than Goemon meeting Lupin im not to sure how Jigen and Fujiko met up with Lupin. What story does that is interesting is that it stays true what would happen when they did meet and how they interact with each other. And they pull this off really good. The setting in New York through me off a little bit because I would imagine they would meet up in Japan but mabey to make the story more intersting New York was the best bet

The animation is great it has more of that new anime style while staying true to the character designs. Some of goemon scenes cutting up stuff is really kool to watch.

Sound is great the music has top notch jazz stuff. Voice Acting was off the hook. What I really liked to have seen was the great Yasou Yamada (1995) voice Lupin in this special because It was truly worthy of him. Im not taking anything away from Kurita because his voice acting of Lupin was something really special especially the scenes with Jigen and Lupin III.

The characters were the best part of the special. They were portrayed exactly how they should be in every special. Lupin III being himself taking nothing serious, Jigen being himself very serious and Stuborn, Goemon also being very stuborn and slashing away at everything In sight when fighting Lupin. Fujiko with her charm and seducing ways to backstab people and Inspector Zenigata who is brilliant and tough yet clumsy but always giving Lupin III headaches.

I Really enjoyed this special. I would reccommend Lupin III episode Zero First Contact to anyone Lupin fan or not, Especially If you are looking to get into the Lupin Franchise because this is a great watch.