Lupin III: Return of Pycal (2002 Video) User Reviews

Not the greatest Lupin III film...

[coyote13 · 5/10 · 9 December 2004]

Ikiteita majutsushi (aka The Return of Pycal, The Return of the Magician) isn't terrible, by any means. It's a good-looking production, with handsome artwork and is very nicely animated (other than some 3-D animation that sticks out like a sore thumb). The character writing is excellent, as is the voice acting (after having been doing Lupin and his gang for so long, I'd expect nothing less from the actors!). Its problem is in the writing and pacing...

At less than 50 minutes it feels very much like a 90+ minute movie that you're missing half of. It sets up just fine, only to end about the point you expect everything to really get going. It's really a pity, because Pycal/Piker is a great villain from both the first Lupin series, and the manga, but here he's basically wasted; in fact, everyone is. It's interesting to see once or twice, but it's not a Lupin feature that you're going to want to pull off the shelf time and time again.

Decently enjoyable, but does have it's drawbacks.

[psychogoatee · 6/10 · 9 October 2009]

Return of Pycal is a decent Lupin OVA, but it does have it's drawbacks.

It starts off pretty quickly with Lupin doing a flashy robbery, making women's clothing disappear, and doing magic tricks dressed up as a clown. This leads into a gunfight in a hall of mirrors with Zenigata, who is acting very strangely...

This is the return of Pycal, the villain from the 2nd episode of Lupin III, as you'd figure. It's entertaining to have him back, he's a stylish villain. This has some other nice callbacks to the first Lupin series, such as Lupin's green jacket, and Fujiko's motorcycle animation from the original show's ending credits.

This OVA also has a slow paced, laid back feel reminiscent of some of the first Lupin episodes. This isn't a problem by itself, but combined with the short length it is a drawback.

Fujiko is sexy as always, sporting a character design closer to the first series in this one. Her amusing obligatory playing the seduction card on Lupin is a standout scene.

Lupin comes across as cool and confident like usual, trying to collect some crystals to thwart Pycal. Jigen and Goemon are solid, but in fairly small roles. Zenigata has a very small part in this, but the screen time he does get is entertaining.

The problem however really comes about 46 minutes in, when the credits start to roll. This ends abruptly, with questions unanswered, and it feels like we're missing a third act to come. We do get a few minutes of decent stuff after the credits, but unfortunately this only makes things more confusing.

So, if you're a Lupin fan this is worth watching, but it does leave you wanting much more.

Pretty bad

[enricoshapka · 5/10 · 6 October 2022]

Lupin iii film 7

Very forgettable film I gotta say. Animations and drawings are good, but other than that nothing special. From what I've read this is a continuation from the anime, but as a stand-alone film it's pretty bad. There's lots of fan service with Fujiko, that's honestly the most memorable moment. Zenigata appears for like 5min. The villain is pretty pathetic. Don't let this influence your feelings about Lupin, other movies are the complete opposite.

Now have to exceed: Very forgettable film I gotta say. Animations and drawings are good, but other than that nothing special. From what I've read this is a continuation from the anime, but as a stand-alone film it's pretty bad. There's lots of fan service with Fujiko, that's honestly the most memorable moment. Zenigata appears for like 5min. The villain is pretty pathetic. Don't let this influence your feelings about Lupin, other movies are the complete opposite.

A Decent Lupin OVA

[emasterslake · 7/10 · 26 July 2005]

This is one of the few Lupin OVAs. It has to do with the return of Pycal the Magician. Who appeared in the first TV series and Manga.

The whole OVA has to do with him getting revenge on Lupin the 3rd.

This Lupin Anime is decent, but still good to watch.

The downside it's not as long as the other average Lupin TV specials or movies.

The upside it's the first lupin anime to contain the most CGI.

So anyways it's not a must get for most fans. But the animation and visuals are kinda cool to view in my opion.

I hope other Lupin Animes will have the similar CGI in this one. Cause that would be cool! please note that this Lupin anime has mild nudity in it. So I'd recommend 16 or older to see this one.

I give it A- and 7/10 stars for almost perfect.