2026’s First Anime Theatrical Release is Just Days Away & It’s 30 Years In The Making

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For anime fans, 2026 is the year to finally watch those shows they’ve been meaning to get to. Let’s be honest, those “I’ll watch it later” promises often turn into never watching them at all – like finishing One Piece or rewatching the Evangelion movies. But 2026 starts strong with an exciting new anime movie that deserves to be seen right away.

Don’t worry, this isn’t another Demon Slayer movie – those characters deserve a break after dominating the box office for three years! Instead, get ready for Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline, a film decades in the making. It promises the exciting action, cool style, and memorable characters you’ve been craving – characters who are practically professional escape artists.

A Thief’s Legacy, Three Decades in the Making

The anime movie The Immortal Bloodline is special – it’s the first full-length Lupin the Third film created with traditional animation. This is a big deal for anime fans, as Lupin III has been a beloved, charismatic thief since 1967. Directed by Takeshi Koike, the movie isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It feels like a welcome return for longtime fans, offering all the unpredictable excitement they’ve come to expect from Lupin.

Why The Immortal Bloodline Is Worth the Hype

The story of The Immortal Bloodline follows a familiar Lupin formula: after narrowly escaping a series of assassination attempts, Lupin and his crew are tricked into traveling to a remote, unknown island. However, this trip isn’t a relaxing getaway. Their plane is shot down, and they quickly find themselves the targets of the island’s residents, old rivals, and a puzzling character named Muom—an immortal being who challenges Lupin both physically and intellectually.

The island is shrouded in a strange, dreamlike fog, adding to the tension. The movie pushes Lupin to consider deeper questions he normally avoids – like what it means to be remembered and whether someone like him, who lives for the thrill of the moment, can ever truly leave a lasting impact. This is a surprisingly thoughtful turn for the character, but it doesn’t sacrifice the exciting action and witty humor fans expect from the series.

Lupin III: The Gang’s All Here

One of the reasons the Lupin III series has stayed popular for so long is its memorable group of characters, and The Immortal Bloodline wonderfully reunites them all.

  • Lupin III (Kan’ichi Kurita): The master thief himself, as charming as ever and facing some of his greatest challenges yet.
  • Daisuke Jigen (Akio Otsuka): The chain-smoking sharpshooter who’s always got Lupin’s back.
  • Goemon Ishikawa XIII (Daisuke Namikawa): The stoic swordsman whose blade can slice through anything, including existential dread.
  • Fujiko Mine (Miyuki Sawashiro): The femme fatale who’s as likely to betray Lupin as she is to save him.
  • Inspector Zenigata (Koichi Yamadera): The lovable Interpol officer who’s spent decades chasing Lupin.

If you’re familiar with Takeshi Koike’s other Lupin movies, such as Jigen’s Gravestone or Goemon’s Blood Spray, you’ll know what to anticipate: stunning animation, intense action, and a mood that’s more serious than typical Lupin adventures. Koike excels at taking what makes the series great and enhancing it with impressive visuals and a more sophisticated story.

The movie first premiered in Japan on June 27, 2025, and earned $909,500 during its opening weekend. Now, fans in North America can finally see it! GKIDS is hosting special screenings for three nights, from January 4th to 6th, 2026. Viewers can choose to watch the film with original Japanese audio and English subtitles, or with an English dub. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this is a great opportunity to experience this beloved anime classic.

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2025-12-29 23:15