Something I really like about the original Lupin III manga (1967-1969), and which was unfortunately lost in the later releases like the aizouban volumes and the english translation localization of Tokyopop, is the way Monkey Punch decides to organize the chapters. Although the manga has arcs/stories of one or two parts, the manga is divided into "Series" in which, depending on these, each chapter shares a common topic.
The versions that can currently be read have the chapters out of order, but there is nothing to worry about, since these stand on their own episodically and in some cases, the chapters that were originally two parts were converted into a single chapter, so you can just jump to any chapter of any series that catches your attention here.
Some examples of these are:
(The following chapter names mentioned here are from the Tokyopop edition which can be fully read on Mangadex)
Rat Clan Series: Set of chapters in which Lupin and his gang face the Rat/Nezumi clan.
•Chapter 69 - “Straight Flush”
•Chapter 31 - “You Dirty Rats”
•Chapter 70 - “The Rat Clan and The Sea”
•Chapter 71 - “To Old Acquaintance Being Shot”
All Cast Series: Several chapters in which the whole gang (Goemon, Fujiko, Jigen and Lupin) works together.
•Chapter 56 - “Triple Play”
•Chapter 57 - “The World on a String”
•Chapter 58 - “Camera Tricks”
•Chapter 59 - “Medal of Dishonor”
Young Man series: Series of chapters focused mostly on young adolescents or young adults getting involved in the world of crime. (My favorite).
•Chapter 36 - “Tough Love”
•Chapter 67 - “To Live and Die in Japan”
•Chapter 73 - “The Think System”
Psychodelic Series: Chapters focused on, as the title implies, stories with psychedelic elements such as hypnosis or alusinations.
•Chapter 48 - “The Dream Sequence”
•Chapter 51 - “What the Skull Wants”
•Chapter 61 - “Death and Duality”
•Chapter 62 - “Double your Guns”
•Chapter 52 - “The Mind is a Mansion”
The Confession Series: Chapters totally focused on Lupin's past and his relationship with his fucked up family.
•Chapter 37 - “Lupin The Third Vs. Arsene Lupin”
•Chapter 38 - “Inheritance”
•Chapter 40 - “A Chip Off the Gold Block”
If this description or the plot of any of these characters sounds familiar to you, it is It is because these chapters were the total inspiration for the “Lupin Zero” mini-series, also highly recommended.
please share this or i'll die. <\3
