What a riot. Take two older long running series mix them together and what do you get? Well you get the anime mash up that pits the pint sized detective against the best thief in the world in Lupin III Vs. Detective Conan. In this smash up you get the best of both series in a feature length movie that sees the two groups working together to protect the life of a Princess and solve the case of her murdered mother and brother.
I watched both series when they were on [adult swim] when it was actually good and thought they were both fun to watch but I wasn't a huge fan so when they stopped airing on [adult swim] I didn't really keep up with the series but then I saw that this was made available with subs so decided to watch it since it was a movie. I'm glad I did. Lupin vs Conan (shortened title is best) combines the best of both series and gives us a well thought out sometimes funny sometimes series but always good feature length movie. Plus there is also the always lovely Fujiko Mine for eye candy relief.
This movie finds both groups working together and separately to protect the life of a Princess who is now the heir apparent to her country's throne after her mother the Queen was accidentally killed by the Prince in a hunting accident. Not being able to live with himself for what he did the Prince kills himself leaving his sister as the next in line for the throne against the wishes of the people.
The Princess goes to Japan to attend a party that her mother was supposed to attend. At the Party and after the party the rest of both gangs are introduced in parts Fist it's Conan and the Detective as Conan discovers a plot to kill the Princess. Followed by Ran and Fujiko being introduced after the Princess decides to Run Away from everything and switches places with Ran who she runs into on the street and after being discovered again by Conan is rescued by Fujiko who's real purpose is to look after the Princess for the free day of relief. While all of this is taking place in Japan back in make believe country of Vesparia where he is thinking of snatching the Queen's crown but decides to steal a more valuable newly discovered ore that is the next thing for Stealth technology.
Soon the whole gang finds their way to Vespania were all three groups are responsible for actually solving the real murder of the Queen and the Prince. Turns out it's....well that would be too easy. But every thing is wrapped up nicely and while there are the series moments the movie is also full of fun and laughter and surprisingly it all works out rather well even if the killer known half way through it. It's the proving it that matters.
I'll definitely be looking to rent this if it gets licensed in NA and hey if [adult swim]was smart (not likely) they would get the rights to it so that they could air it one night out of respect to the old series that they used to carry. Odds of that happening though well yeah I'd have better lucking winning the lottery.
Enjoy the trailer:
