Lupin III: The Movie: Immortal Bloodline Coming To UK Cinemas

Lupin III is one of the most iconic characters in anime and manga. Originally created by Monkey Punch, the Gentleman Thief has been stealing hearts and a whole lot more for over 50 years. Anime Limited have announced that his latest caper Lupin III: The Movie: The Immortal Bloodline will come to cinemas in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Saturday, 21 February 2026.

The movie is directed by Takeshi Koike, the visionary behind the classic Redline. It is the first traditionally animated film in the franchise in over 30 years. The film is a continuation of Koike's unique interpretation of the franchise, that began with The Woman Named Fujioko Mine, and included Jingen's Gravestone, Goemon's Bloodspray and Fujiko's Lie. The film also references past adventures such as The Secret Of Mamo.

You won't need an encyclopedic knowledge of the Lupin franchise to enjoy the new film, but it will definitely reward long-time fans.

The film combines Koike's trademark kinetic visual flair with the pulp tones of characters inspired by James Bond and MAD Magazine, with a dash of Ridley Scott's Prometheus to create Lupin III: The Movie: The Immortal Bloodline, an action-packed sci-fi adventure than connects celebrated capers past and present, forcing Lupin and co to confront foes from their past, and their legacy. Koike will also appear in a specially recorded video intro that will be shown exclusively in cinemas.

First appearing on the page back in 1967, the character was the grandson of the legendary literary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.  Lupin made the jump to the small screen in 1971, and would go on to star in six further TV series. Annual TV specials were released between 1989 and 2013. Lupin and the gang also graduated to the big screen, starting with The Secret Of Mamo in 1978. It was followed by The Castle Of Cagliostro in 1979, which is famously the feature debut of one Hayao Miyazaki. The franchise also gave a start to legendary filmmakers, including Isao Takahata (Grave Of The Fireflies),  Seijun Suzuki (Branded To Kill) and modern breakouts like Takashi Yamazaki  (Godzilla Minus One). 

Lupin was last seen on the big screen in Lupin III: The First, his first ever CGI animated movie. The Immortal Bloodline is very much a return to the franchise's roots- and it goes beyond the animation.

Lupin III The Movie: The Immortal Bloodline will screen in Japanese with English subtitles from February 21.