After an acclaimed release in Japan last year, the CG animated film Lupin III: The First is coming to North America, with the first English dubbed trailer showing its fan-favorite cast of characters in action.
Voice actor Tony Oliver, who has portrayed the English of Arsene Lupin III in various anime series, television specials and animated movies since 2003, reprises his role as the eponymous master thief. He is joined by fellow English dub Lupin III veterans, including Richard Epcar, Lex Lang and Michelle Ruff. The English voice cast was confirmed by animation studio GKIDS this past July.
Based on the long-running Lupin III franchise created as a manga series by Monkey Punch in 1967, Lupin III: The First introduces the titular cat burglar and his cast of allies and rivals for a new generation of fans. The film won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Animation and was nominated for Animation of the Year.
After its successful opening in Japan, the animated film was officially picked up for a North American distribution deal by GKIDS this past March from Japanese animation studio TMS Entertainment.
Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the English voice cast for Lupin III: The First includes Tony Oliver, Richard Epcar, Lex Lang, Michelle Ruff and Doug Erholtz. The film is expected to be released in North America in late 2020.