TMS Entertainment Announces North American Rights to Animated Feature “LUPIN THE 3rd: THE FIRST” Acquired by GKIDS

LOS ANGELES (March 26, 2020) – TMS Entertainment, announced that they have licensed to GKIDS the North American distribution rights for the animated feature LUPIN THE 3rd: THE FIRST, a new animated feature from director/screenwriter Takashi Yamazaki (Stand by Me Doraemon, Dragon Quest: Your Story). LUPIN THE 3rdfranchise, originally created by Monkey Punch, began in 1967 and has spanned a variety of manga, TV, game, theme park ride, and musical adaptations. GKIDS will release LUPIN THE 3rd: THE FIRST theatrically in both Japanese and an all-new English language dub.

”Lupin III has been stealing hearts of audiences of all ages for over 50 years, and we’re proud to be able to present the latest evolution of the world’s greatest thief,” said TMS Entertainment, Vice President Masami Tokunaga. “We are truly excited to be collaborating with GKIDS to bring this amazing film to our fans in North America.”

“As someone who has been a fan of Lupin III since The Castle of Cagliostro, I was blown away by quality of animation and storytelling in LUPIN THE 3rd: THE FIRST,” said GKIDS President David Jesteadt. “Director Takashi Yamazaki has taken such incredible care and detail in creating Lupin’s first adventure in CG, and I am hopeful that audiences fall in love with the film as much as I have.”

SYNOPSIS

The iconic “gentleman thief” Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3rd one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in a thrilling new caper that is sure to delight fans old and new.