How did this young boy become notorious gentleman thief “Lupin III”?

Since the initial serialization of Monkey Punch’s globally renowned “LUPIN THE 3rd” manga in 1967, Lupin III has taken the world by storm and has appeared in various media. However, despite his longstanding status and notoriety as the world’s greatest thief, there was once a time when even Lupin III, was young and inexperienced.

Loosely based on Young Lupin III from the original manga, LUPIN ZERO will tell a nostalgic, yet brand new original story, finally lifting the veil cast upon Lupin III’s humble beginnings. Set during the era in which the original series was first published, the anime depicts Young Lupin III running around the streets of 1960’s Japan during the country’s economic boom.

Production studio, Telecom Animation Film Co., Ltd., (responsible for several other LUPIN THE 3rd series titles) will handle the animation for the series, which will feature a retro and unique art style inspired by the past. Music for the show will be written by Yoshihide Otomo (Ama Chan, INU-OH), with arrangements of Takeo Yamashita’s musical works from LUPIN THE 3rd PART 1.

A young boy climbs the staircase to villainhood. What was he thinking and what steps did he take?

This is the untold origin story of the world’s greatest thief.