Digital Nexus takes us for three days to Cagliostro, the smallest independent state in the world. Appointment on March 4,5,6 in the selected cinemas to visit his Castle and meet again, after years, the most famous thief in the world. In a remastered and restored version in 4K, the feature film that celebrates the creative flair of Monkey Punchand the directorial debut of the undisputed king of Japanese animation Hayao Miyazaki.
In the movie LUPINE III – THE CAGLIOSTRO CASTLEthe protagonists are Lupin III and his faithful companion Jigen. Together, they managed to identify the source of the counterfeit banknotes that brought the world economy to its knees: Cagliostro, the smallest state in the world governed by the count of the same name. Inside the stone walls of the castle, the count holds the beautiful Clarisse prisoner, who holds the key to access a treasure of inestimable value. Lupine wishes to free the girl, punish the wicked and, of course, secure her treasure. In this extraordinary adventure, there is no shortage of other key characters of the saga such as the seductive one Fujiko and the tenacious Ispettore Zenigata.
Polished video, but historical dubbing, with the voices that have accompanied us since the first trip to Cagliostro. And with the Milanese premiere enriched by the presence of its director, Aldo Stella (who also voices the gardener in the feature film), accompanied by the Count, the iconic voice of Pegasus, Ivo de Palma.
The most attentive will have already noticed two important details. Lupine III still has the green jacket, in fact this film is included in the narrative arc of the first season, where our hero still does not wear the one that definitively consecrated him to the anime-loving public: the red one. The historian Fiat 500 white from the animated series, takes on its definitive color: yellow.
Fujiko Mine has now already been “undressed” from the role of femme fatale of the first episodes, and above all in this feature film she appears much less sexualized and very combative, independent and “badass”, very far from the girl always in trouble who must be saved by Lupine. Not to mention the unusual blonde/orange color of her hair.
Ivo De Palma’s clean, ringing and cutting voice glues you to the screen, which also stands out in an astonishing way in the Count. Combined with Miyazaki’s unique trait, which is very reminiscent of all his high-ranking characters (for example the officers in Porco Rosso), with the typical mustache, there is that combination of “Studio Ghibli” epicness that makes it a small all-round masterpiece.
Another touch of class from the Maestro, which is very nostalgic, are the settings but above all the whole mechanics. L’Direct debit of the Count, has its own illustrative mold, the curvatures, the cambers, the holy hand that conceived and designed each vehicle of Laputail Howl’s Castle… in short, all gems that, both inside and around the Castle, will have the amarcord effect of these milestones of animation.
In short, this Anime at Cinema project, exclusive to Nexo Digital (distributed in collaboration with media partners Radio Deejay, MYmovies.it, ANiME GENERATION e Lucca Comics&Games) brought an unmissable cult film back to the big screen that is worth seeing over and over again to grasp every detail. It’s a feature film suitable for everyone, even those approaching Lupine III for the first time, but it’s a pearl that fans definitely shouldn’t miss!
Thanks Denise Paradiso for the collaboration.