LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline on Digital March 24, Blu-ray July 21

Here’s a return that fans of the gentleman thief have been waiting nearly three decades to see: LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline, from legendary director Takeshi Koike (Redline), arrives on major digital platforms March 24, 2026, with a Blu-ray release following July 21 from GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Studios, a Radial Entertainment company. The film marks the first traditionally animated feature in the Lupin III franchise in nearly 30 years, since Lupin III: Dead or Alive in 1996, bringing Koike’s signature stylish action back to the series he last touched six years ago. When Lupin and his allies follow a strange invitation to an uncharted island only to have their plane shot down, they find themselves stranded, hunted by the island’s inhabitants, past enemies, and a monstrous immortal being known as Muom who threatens to destroy Lupin’s legacy itself. For fans who’ve followed the world’s greatest thief since 1967 and for those discovering the thrill of the chase for the first time, The Immortal Bloodline promises a chapter worthy of the legend.

The Return to Traditional Animation#

LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline represents a milestone that longtime fans will immediately recognize as significant.

The Lupin III franchise has experimented with formats over the decades, most recently with LUPIN III: The First, the first film in the franchise animated in 3DCG. That film demonstrated the character could work in new visual styles, but something was lost in translation for purists who connected with the hand-drawn aesthetic that defined the series’ golden era.

The Immortal Bloodline corrects course. This is the first traditionally animated Lupin III feature film in nearly 30 years, returning to the visual language that Monkey Punch’s original manga established and that generations of animators refined. The choice signals respect for the franchise’s roots while Takeshi Koike’s involvement ensures the traditional approach doesn’t mean retreating to safe territory.

Takeshi Koike’s Signature Style#

Koike returns to the LUPIN THE IIIRD franchise after six years, bringing the visual sensibility that made Redline a cult classic.

His previous Lupin work established a grittier, more stylized take on Monkey Punch’s characters, emphasizing the pulpy noir elements that the original manga contained but that lighter adaptations sometimes softened. Koike’s Lupin operates in a world of genuine danger, where the comedy coexists with violence that carries weight.

The Immortal Bloodline infuses Koike’s signature stylish action with what the announcement describes as “the classic pulpy tones of Monkey Punch’s work.” The result promises an exhilarating sci-fi tour de force that honors the source material while pushing into territory that only Koike’s sensibility could navigate.

The immortality premise, the monstrous being called Muom, the toxic fog settling over stranded characters, all suggest the darker Lupin that Koike specializes in, the version that reminds audiences why the gentleman thief has endured for over five decades.

The Premise#

The setup strands Lupin and his allies in contained nightmare scenario.

After fending off a series of skilled assassins (suggesting enemies are already mobilizing before the main plot begins), Lupin III and his band follow a strange invitation to an uncharted island. The invitation is obviously a trap. Lupin presumably knows it’s a trap. He goes anyway, because that’s what Lupin does.

When their plane is shot down, the gang finds themselves stranded, transforming what might have been a heist into survival horror. The island’s inhabitants hunt them. Past enemies reappear. And Muom, a monstrous immortal being, threatens to destroy not just Lupin but his legacy itself.

The toxic fog settling over them adds environmental pressure to the human and supernatural threats. Lupin must confront his greatest enemy in his most daring escapade yet, stakes that the franchise has earned the right to claim after decades of adventures.

The Lupin III Legacy#

Few characters in anime and manga history have left a mark as indelible as Lupin III.

Created by the legendary Monkey Punch in 1967, the cool, mischievous, and hilarious “Red Jacket” Lupin won millions of hearts and built a devoted global fanbase that has only grown over more than five decades. The character’s appeal crosses generations, each era discovering what their predecessors loved and finding new dimensions in the gentleman thief’s adventures.

The franchise’s film history includes landmarks that defined anime itself. LUPIN III: The Mystery of Mamo launched the feature film era in 1978. LUPIN III: The Castle of Cagliostro in 1979 served as the directorial debut and first feature film from Hayao Miyazaki, a beloved classic that introduced many Western viewers to anime’s potential. The series continued through television incarnations, specials, and films including LUPIN III: The First‘s 3DCG experiment.

The Immortal Bloodline joins this lineage with full awareness of what came before, a new chapter that must honor five decades while finding its own identity.

The Blu-ray Package#

The July 21 Blu-ray release includes bonus features that document the film’s reception and creation.

Director & Cast Post-Screening Talk provides insight into the creative process from Koike and the voice cast, presumably recorded after a theatrical screening in Japan.

Stage Greetings capture the promotional appearances that accompany major anime releases, the ritual of talent meeting audiences that’s central to Japanese film culture.

Teasers & Trailers collect the marketing materials that built anticipation for the film’s release.

GKIDS’ involvement signals quality presentation that anime collectors have learned to trust. Their track record, from Studio Ghibli’s North American distribution to Oscar-nominated international animation, ensures The Immortal Bloodline receives treatment worthy of the franchise’s legacy.

Who Should Mark These Dates#

If you’ve followed Lupin III since the beginning: The first traditionally animated feature in nearly 30 years represents return to the visual language that defined the character’s classic era.

If Takeshi Koike’s work excites you: His return to the franchise after six years, bringing the style that made Redline legendary, promises action that no other director could deliver.

If you discovered Lupin through Castle of Cagliostro: Koike’s grittier approach offers different pleasures than Miyazaki’s, but the gentleman thief’s appeal transcends any single interpretation.

If darker, pulpier anime appeals to you: The immortality premise, the survival horror setup, the monstrous threat, all suggest Koike pushing the franchise toward territory the lighter adaptations don’t explore.

If you’re discovering Lupin for the first time: The Immortal Bloodline provides entry point that connects to five decades of adventures while standing on its own terms.

March 24 and July 21 Continue the Chase#

LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie – The Immortal Bloodline arrives on major digital platforms March 24, 2026, with Blu-ray following July 21 from GKIDS with distribution by Shout! Studios.

The world’s greatest thief. An uncharted island. A monstrous immortal being. The first traditionally animated Lupin III feature in nearly 30 years. Takeshi Koike’s signature style meeting Monkey Punch’s pulpy vision.

Five decades of adventures led here. Immortality itself stands in Lupin’s way. And the legend continues.

March 24 begins the chase. July 21 brings it home.