Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) is a Japanese animated action-adventure comedy directed and co-written by Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. This feature marks Miyazaki’s theatrical debut and follows master thief Arsène Lupin III, who uncovers a conspiracy involving counterfeit money while attempting to rescue the kidnapped Princess Clarisse from the sinister Count Cagliostro. Lupin is aided by his loyal partners—Jigen, Goemon, and Inspector Zenigata—as they infiltrate Cagliostro’s castle and expose a plot built on deception, ancient technology, and greed. Visually, the film showcases Miyazaki’s early flair for dynamic movement, intricate environments, and imaginative action. The animation bursts with kinetic energy, from a high-speed Fiat 500 chase through mountain roads to an iconic clock tower duel. The art maintains a charming blend of realism and fantasy, enhanced by Yuji Ohno’s adventurous jazz score that complements the film’s romantic and suspenseful tones. Despite a ¥500 million budget (~$2.8 million) and initially modest returns (around ¥600 million domestically, under $700,000 overseas), the film’s theatrical performance was underwhelming. However, its reputation soared through festival re-screenings, home video, and critical rediscovery, transforming it into a beloved cult classic within the Lupin III franchise. Critically, Castle of Cagliostro is hailed as one of Miyazaki's most exhilarating works. It holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise directed at its storytelling finesse and memorable set pieces, especially the masterful car chase and daring rooftop sequences. The film earned the Ōfuji Noburō Award at the 1979 Mainichi Film Concours—one of the few animation honors of its time—and was later celebrated in retrospectives and reader polls, including being named the best anime by Animage in 2001. Its legacy is immense. Castle of Cagliostro laid the groundwork for Miyazaki’s cinematic style—combining adventure, strong character arcs, and thematic depth—and influenced animators like John Lasseter. Elements of its action framing resonated in Western films like The Great Mouse Detective and Indiana Jones. As the most acclaimed entry in the Lupin III series, it remains a milestone in animation and a testament to Miyazaki's visionary storytelling.