Rupan Sansei Manga

For all people that don’t read japan comics i must explain the meaning of word “manga”, it means “comics” in japanese and the reading of books, in Japan, and which also of comics is turned over respect at West.

Lupin III 1^st adventure on comics (in japanese Lupin III it’s read “Rupan sansei”) appears for once in 10^th August of 1967 on pages of weekly comics review “Weekly Manga Action” (publisher: Futabasha), the autour is Kazuhiko Kato, better known with stage-name of Monkey Punch. He creates the personage as probable descendant of famous Arsene Lupin, much known and admired in Japan. The comics, realized with a fresh and immediate design, is able to of a strong and fascinating expressiveness and of a marked grotesque rendering, it is destined, for images and for clear sex allusions, to an adult audience; the success is clamorours, but, it gets in large measure by high-school students. Monkey Punch shall publish Lupin III plates for five years, last one on 27^th April of 1972, with a total of 129 episodes. In 23^th June of 1977 he shall publish 2^nd manga series, “shin Rupan sansei” (new Lupin the 3^rd), always on “Weekly Manga Action” until on 28^th May of 1981, a total of 188 episodes.

In Italy it has been published whole Lupin III 2^nd manga series in italian (since April ’94 until October ’96). The publisher was Star Comics, the review was “Mitico” and the italian series was composed of 29 regolar volumes together 2 specials.

Since January 1997, on monthly comics review “Action second” (publisher: Futabasha), it has begun 3^rd MANGA SERIES. The supervisor is Monkey Punch, the screenwriter is Takaguchi and the design is of Shusay. The manga is very different from original, most of all graphic level more near at animated Lupin III. Color jacket is green like 1st TV series, while  in the original manga Lupin has always worn a red jacket.

In Italy: in 1999 fall it’s been released by Kappa Edizioni an adventure-comics of Lupin III completely realized in Italy, supervisor: Monkey Punch, design: Gianmaria Liani, screenplay and direction: Andrea Baricordi,  the title is “Lupin III e il violino degli Holmes” (“Lupin III and Holmes’ violin”).
In 2001 fall it begun a new comics series on 9 volumes: Lupin III Millennium, it made in Italy by italian authors and it published by Kappa Edizioni.
On September 2002 it began in Italy original 1st manga series, on 13 volumes, published by Orion (Sta Comics) from Chuokoron-shinsha version of 1989.

In USA: On december 1st manga series will be published in USA by Tokyopop, on 14 volumes, from Chuokoron-shinsha version of 1989.

Other pages:

• • Made in Japan: last reprints
  • 1st series by Monkey Punch (1967):

• • • Lupin III – italian version list by Orion/Star Comics (109)
    • Lupin III – Futabasha episode list (129)
    • Lupin III – Chuokoron-sha episode list (109)
    • Lupin III – american version list by Tokyopop (109)

• • 2nd series by Monkey Punch (1977):

• • • New Lupin III – italian episode list by Star Comics (184)
    • New Lupin III – Futabasha episode list (189)
    • New Lupin III – Chuokoron-sha episode list (184)
    • New Lupin III – Chuokoron-sha episode list (184)
    • Lupin III – World’s Most Wanted – american version list by Tokyopop (184)

• • Rupan Kozou (Lupin trainee or Lupin Jr.) by Monkey Punch (1978)
  • Lupin III by Shusai & Takaguchi (1997)
  • Lupin III Y by Manatsuki Yamakami (1998)
  • Made in Italy:

• • • Lupin III – Il violino degli Holmes (1999 Kappa Edizioni)
    • Lupin III Millennium (2001 Kappa Edizioni, 9 volumes, 9 stories)