The Castle of Cagliostro, Hayao Miyazaki

The Castle of Cagliostro is a 1979 Japanese animated action comedy film co-written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki in his feature-length directorial debut. It is the second film featuring Monkey Punch’s master thief Arsène Lupin III, from his manga series Lupin III. The film was Miyazaki’s first time directing a theatrical feature after having previously worked as an animator for Toei Animation and TMS Entertainment and directing several shows including Lupin III and two episodes of Lupin III Part II.

The Castle of Cagliostro follows gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III, who successfully robs a casino – only to find the money to be counterfeit. He heads to the tiny country of Cagliostro, the rumoured source of the bills, and attempts to save the runaway Clarisse from the Count Cagliostro’s men. Lupin enlists his associates, Jigen and Goemon, and sends his calling card to the Count to get Inspector Zenigata, his longtime nemesis, to the castle. After becoming trapped in the dungeon under the castle, Lupin and Zenigata form a pact to escape and foil the Count’s counterfeit operation and save Clarisse from her forced marriage to the Count.

This is stylish, witty, fast paced and has a european sensability. Lupin is that 1960’s lovable rogue who’s always one step ahead of his nemesis, Inspector Zenigata. It’s certainly toned down from the more sexually explicit manga, but doesn’t loose any of the humour in the translation.