Anime Colony: Lupin III: Die! Nostradamus

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  Rating: PG-13
  U.S. Distribution Rights: none
  Genres: Comedy, Action

Lupin III: Die! Nostradamus (OVA)

Description: Master thief Lupin III steals a huge diamond in Rio and hides it in a doll, only to have the doll taken by a brash young girl. Shortly thereafter, the girl is kidnapped by a group of heavily-armed mercenaries. It turns out that the girl is the daughter of a powerful and egotistical American millionaire, and the mercenaries work for the so-called "Church of Nostradamus," which is pursuing a secret agenda. Lupin and his friends become involved in a deadly conflict with this very dangerous cult led by Nostradamus.

Overall Grade: 93% (A)

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The Lupin III: Tokyo Crisis (TV) Review

Reviewer: Clyde Adams III
Episodes reviewed: subtitled

Grade: 93% (A)

This is an exciting, funny comedy adventure, well plotted, full of action, and highly recommended. The production values are very high. The art is especially good. In the character designs and art, there is little of the grotesque exaggeration of features typical of many early Lupin anime works. Fujiko in particular, who has a nude scene in the film, has never looked lovelier. The film takes us to many exotic locales-- the Amazon jungle, Rio de Janeiro, a Caribbean island-- that are painted very prettily.

The pacing is very well done, kept fast but not frenetic. Characterization is very shallow. The millionaire, with his presidential ambitions, seems a bit of a buffoon, though not unsympathetic. The suspense is real; Nostradamus, with his brutal mercenaries and his mind control machines, is formidable foe, and we do not learn until late in the film what he is really after; but we identify strongly with Lupin as he struggles..