..:Favorite Moments - Movies/OVAs/Specials:..
- I talked about this in my headcanons page, but I have a special fondness for the opening of this movie because of the car Koichi drives. It's a vintage Volkswagen bug! It really makes me smile that he drove one canonically once.
- Now to tease the opening of this movie, it is wild. There's never been a proper explaination of why Lupin hid and disguised himself as a vampire, other then the animators probably thought it would look cool. I love how Koichi seemingly did some research on the proper way to get rid of a vampire, and the assumption that he had a hunch Lupin was going to do something like this! Hmm... A vampire hunting AU would make a cool fanfiction...
- That shot of him firing his gun before the title card comes onto screen. He looks so intense, and legitmately scary! This depiction of Koichi is really interesting, as he has some of his lovable goofiness he was known for in Part II, but also the intensity of his original manga self. This moment definetly favors the latter!
- Hoo, boy... Time for a serious fangirl moment! He looks so, so, so appealing in that short sleeve, button up shirt. What can I say? Koichi is not a character known for his fanservice, so I'll take what I can get!
- That face he makes when the computer's alarm goes off. I swear he looks like a frog there!
- Him falling into the hole (which is the gif at the opening of this page, I swear it's hypnotic to watch) and then the hissy fit that follows after it. Play the right music and you can imagine him dancing instead!
- Okay so, this moment is more of a Lupin and Jigen moment rather than a Koichi one, but I love how the two start arguing about his blood type. In Japan, blood types are kind of like zodiac signs, and can provide info about a person's personality type. Personally, I agree with Jigen that he's a type O -- A confident workaholic? That sounds like Koichi to me!
- His initial excitement at the truck is so cute. Something I love about his depiction in this movie is that he mistakingly thinks everyone is on his side, and not their own. I love that optimism!
- The scene where Koichi appears on Mamo's screen. He's casually interviewing, who I believe to be, a clone of Confucius and doesn't seem to notice anything unusual about the situation he's in. He has his eyes completely on the prize!
- During the attack on Mamo's island, Koichi's continued cluelessness about the situation and his upmost optimism in the police is absolutely adorable. The scene where he accidentally hops into the wrong boat is endearing as well.
- Now, for the sad moments. I feel so bad for him when he finally gets back to land. He looks absolutely devastated -- both physically and emotionally! It only gets worst when the commissioner tells him he's off of the Lupin case. I give a lot of props to Goro Naya here, as his voice acting is absolutely amazing in these moments and I get teared up everytime I see poor Koichi get emotional. Luckily, he's not too distraught for long -- I'm convinced that his stubbornness can override any other emotion!
- At the end of the movie, where Koichi and Lupin are handcuffed to each other and have to work together to escape the onslaught of missles coming their way. I love their brief exchange about Fujiko before it though, there's something about Koichi's response that feels very fatherly to me, like he was trying to make Lupin feel better. But hey, I would never act like Fujiko!
- This isn't so much of a favorite moment per se, but the entirety of Cagliostro is a very nostalgic watch for me because it was my introduction to the world of Lupin III and most importantly, Koichi! The scene where he's introduced always puts a smile on my face. On a different note, this movie has one of my all-time favorite designs for him. Every scene he's in he looks so handsome -- be still my heart!
- That subtle change in expression Koichi gives to the Count after he dismisses Koichi's concerns about Lupin. You can tell from the very beginning that he doesn't trust him!
- I really like the entirety of the scene where Koichi suspects something strange's going on after the brief, slowed change of movement in the windmill. It shows his attentiveness as a law enforcer, while also keeping the comedic side to his role for the series. Lupin's perspective, where the water leaving the fountain warps Koichi's face, is so funny!
- While I dislike the Count, I have a special dislike for Captain Gustav. He's a bigot and the way he insults Koichi after asking why he and his team aren't needed never fails to rile me up while watching that scene. You can tell that Koichi's hurt by his words, but he tries to be professional. I really want to give him a big hug here...
- Koichi's shock at learning that the fabled "gothic bills" are real is such a great scene. I love how he's 100% motivated to get to the bottom of the problem and to prevent its continuation. The moment where he and Lupin make a truce is cute too. Lupin's actually being pretty nice for once, but I don't blame Koichi for not wanting to shake his hand! He looks so adorably stubborn there.
- Koichi fighting off the Count's private army while he and Lupin are approaching the gyroplane. I love seeing him fight, and he's so take-charge in those moments, too!
- This is kind of a weird one, but the scene where Lupin signals to Fujiko and Clarisse that he's moving the plane upwards, I think Koichi looks so cute. All he does is blink! There's something about the way he's drawn there where he makes me think of a cat. I have no idea why!
- The scene where he confronts Interpol about his discovery of the gothic bills is a frustrating watch. Koichi is doing the right thing (and I have immense respect for him in those moments), but the politics and money surrounding the bills make Interpol do nothing. When he's returning to his temporary office, he looks so defeated. I wish I could give him a speech at that moment to encourage him.
- I also really like the moment where Fujiko calls him and gives him a "workaround" idea about the gothic bills. After such a depressing scene, it's great to see him energized about his job again!
- Oh my gosh, the scene where Koichi's showing off the gothic bills on live TV is one of his most endearing moments ever! He's so excited being able to call attention to this very serious issue, but his attempts at acting "surprised" by the discovery is so cute. I love the man to death, but acting really isn't his forte!
- His last scene in the movie is great too. I love how he says goodbye to Clarisse -- I really wish they had more scenes together outside that one moment.
- This is my least favorite theatrical Lupin production from the 20th century -- the story is underdeveloped and the truly terrible way they draw black characters in this makes it an uncomfortable watch -- but, there are some cute Koichi moments in this. I find his redesign in this movie to be interesting, as he has the same model as he does in Part III, but changed the color of his suit to be more conservative. (The loud pinks and blues were swapped for browns and reds) While this is more in character, I have to admit, I do kind of miss the loudness of his original Part III design!
- The opening of the movie, where Koichi arrives in a wrapped box to surprise Lupin, is really fun. I wonder who wrapped up the 'present', though?
- Koichi's reaction to Lupin's taunts in his interview. There's so much chaos in such a small moment!
- The Miss ICPO Beauty Contest is probably the most outrageous Koichi subplot to date, especially regarding the cinema side of the franchise. I love how he's trying his best to keep up with the women, and he looks so so handsome and cute in that white tuxedo! The idea of them becoming his team to arrest Lupin is a fun idea too.
- Later, when the truck breaks down. I've written about this many times, but I love seeing him in his suit shirt with his sleeves rolled up. I do feel bad for him though with how much his team actively dislikes him... Hehe, I'd love to go on an adventure with him!
- In Koichi's opening scene, I love the fact that he has a Sony (or, 'Somy', according to this film) Watchman that's chock-full of Lupin info. I've always had a soft spot for niche televisions, though knowing how Koichi's not the most tech-savvy person, a higher-up at the ICPO probably convinced him to use it...
- The moment where he's looking out at the skyline of the city during the sunset is one of my favorite shots of him in anything ever. The art and use of color is absolutely stunning, and Koichi's soft-but-serious expression compliments his design in this film perfectly. If you want to see it for yourself, check out the movie section in the gallery!
- That smirk before his plan is set in motion, and later how coolly confident he is while on the job. He's not going to let anyone bully him!
- The scene where he's walking away, I absolutely love how his trenchcoat is animated. It almost looks like a cape!
- - Him eating his sandwich, which is covered in mustard. I love mundane, quiet scenes with him -- but I also love scenes where he's tough too! I adore how skilled and quick he is at his feet in this film, with him being able to defeat the three cops with items that were on the table.
- He and Lupin accidentally recreating 'E.T.' shortly after the latter's arrest. It's adorable!
- His look of disappointment as he muses openly about the dullness of Lupin's most recent arrest, wishing it was a big adventure like all the previous times. He's so cute!
- Koichi happily, and excitedly, talking about his plans for the future once Lupin is in jail for good. It's quite the contrast from the brooding, quiet depiction previously in the movie, but I love it all the same. But, you know Koichi, you don't have to write a book to impress women, hehe.
- In the opening of the special when the gang's fiat fires up, I love how Koichi immeditately recognizes the motor and identifies it as the fiat.
- While I consider this to be one of the lower-tier specials, something I do really like about it's beginning are all the really nice close-ups of Koichi. They make excellent references for his 2000's design!
- I love how casually Koichi removes Lupin's mask. He's seen it all before!
- The reoccuring jokes about how the NYC police are inexperienced with dealing Lupin and how Koichi is used to all of this madness is funny. (Though, I can't help but to wonder if these were in-jokes about how formulaic this era was...)
- The scene where Lupin and Goemon indirectly mention Koichi's 'plot-armor' is funny as well. Lupin's not the only one that has it!
- I do feel bad for Koichi when he's at the airport, quietly venting to himself about how much he has to travel because of his job. Personally, I think it sounds rather exciting to be exploring all of these locations, but I do believe he deserves a break now and again!
- Koichi being surprised -- and confused -- by Lupin and Jigen fighting while the factory is being destroyed. I love how he watches this with concern and then tries to intervene. I get such big dad vibes here, "Boys! Stop fighting!"
- At the end of the special, Koichi looks oh-so-cute with that rain coat on. It looks a little small for him though, I'm worried he's going to catch a cold!
- I have complicated feelings towards Elusiveness of the Fog. As a Lupin fan, I think it's a fun special -- a definite highlight in the 2000's decade, with a great comedic reimagining of Kyosuke Mamou and an inspired time travel plot (I love Ofumi's character!) But, as someone who is head-over-heels in love with Koichi, they really missed the ball on his characterization. It's obvious they had no ideas for him, which is frustrating because of his love of Japanese history (seriously, he's much more observant than this special wants you to believe) but, there are some good moments featuring him, such as...
- One element I do like about the writing for Koichi in this special is that they depict him as a big car/motorcycle fan. They've implied this in other media, and it's been an enduring headcanon of mine, but I love how attached he gets to his moped and earlier in the special how he uses a jet ski. His appearence in the opening makes me think a little of Mystery of Mamo (Not Mamou!) where he's hiding underneath Jigen and Goemon's ship.
- The scene with his flip phone. It's bright orange, and he has a a mon as his wallpaper! I thought that was a super cute touch. Also, I'm really surprised the Norse army didn't investigate him, with all that strange and foreign technology...
- Him sleeping in the stone prison. He looks so cold there, I wish they gave him a blanket... His trench coat can only do so much! Shortly afterwards, the moment where he sees Lupin. He's so excited -- it must be nice seeing a familiar (but troublesome) face after all he's experienced!
- When he finally escapes from the 'cage', the momemnt where he is triumphantly riding on his bike in the morning is such a cool shot. They couldn't resist putting in a comedic moment though, with him falling into the swamp. I love his reaction when he sees Ofumi for the first time -- she really is the splitting image of her descendant!
- Theeeeeen he gets captured again -- that's just his luck in this special. But, I love when you see him in his new cell the relaxed pose he's in is super cute, but he jumps back to action as soon as he sees the war break out! I love how immeditately protective he becomes of the innocent civilians.
- During the epic battle, I love how happy he is to see his bike again. It's so cute!
- In his introductory scene, the way Koichi stumbles into the clinic is funny and cute.
- After the doctor reveals that he's Lupin, I absolutely love the animation during the cat-and-mouse chase sequence between him and Koichi. I also like the use of bold lines on Koichi here, which gives the animation a unique flare. There are a lot of fun moments here -- almost too many to list -- I think my favorite is how he hops out of the chair, and how his hands pop out of his trenchcoat. It's so well animated, and I love how energetically they depict Koichi here!
- Lupin imagining Koichi taunting him, which is the gif above.
- So, I'm like a lot of the Lupin III fanbase -- I have really mixed feelings about Green VS Red. I think the premise is great (Lupin did the Spiderverse concept first!) but the execution of it is confusing and (in my opinion) way too serious for an outrageous premise. But, regardless of my personal feelings towards the special, I am absolutely in LOVE with Koichi's design in this. I love how in some shots he's drawn more realistically, but the artists still kept elements of his classic design (mainly his big eyes!) Be still, my heart! On that note, there are a lot of lovely close-up shots of his eyes, which I also adore as well.
- I do really like the scene between Koichi and Kata, where they're talking shortly after the reveal he's been poisoned by the effects of the Ice Cube diamond (the plot of this is so complicated sheesh). It's a quiet moment between the two men, and I enjoy any moment with Koichi where he discusses his morals and perspective.
- Near the end of the movie, there's a quick scene where the animation becomes reminiscent of the original Monkey Punch manga. It's fast-paced and fun, and even though I was talking about how much I loved Koichi's dramatic design in this, seeing him be all cartoony again is always welcome. Personally, I don't mind when they draw his eyes so closed together, I think it's unique and cute!
- I have a sentimental attachment to this special, as this was the last time Goro Naya voiced Koichi in a full length production. It makes me a little sad watching it, especially near the end where he does his last, though still iconic, yelling of "Lupin!" Naya-san will always be my favorite voice actor of Koichi.
- The look of surprise that flashes on Koichi's face when the ambulance begins to drive on the closed bridge.
- To make another comment on these opening scenes, I love how much of an action hero they depict Koichi here. I particularly like how he hangs onto the side of cars like it's nothing -- forget action hero, he's a super hero here! Though, as with a lot of these specials, the writing forgets how capable of he is and quickly begins writing him as a buffoon. Sigh... Naturally, with every plot that implies that he died, I am not fond of!
- On a postive note, I really love the mentor relationship between Koichi and Asuka. The scenes between the two are very sweet (with him being very encouraging regarding her ninjutsu), to the extent I wish there was more moments with them in this special. Poor Koichi even was familiar with her infamous dog!
- I know I just wrote two entries ago that I don't like the "Koichi is dead" plots, but when he wakes up in his grave, I enjoy the way they animate his eyes here. It's very 'classic cartoon' for lack of a better description -- what can I say? I'm always a sucker for his eyes!
- After he rises from the grave and becomes a member of the living world again, Koichi swaps out his classic fedora for a green and yellow flat cap. I think he looks really nice with it, it's such a unique look for him!