Enduring the tests of time and never staying without a new anime series for too long, Lupin is long beloved as an anime. However, while it may seem like it should be an adaptation of a lengthy manga series, Lupin is actually fairly original in its anime form—and much more jarringly dark in the manga.
Alternative Titles:
- Rupan Sansei
- Lupin III
- ルパン三世
Year Anime Premiered: 1971
Animation Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsa; TMS Entertainment; Telecom Animation Film
Number of Seasons: 7+ 10 Movies +3 OVAs
Source Material Country of Origin: Japan
Source Material Available: Manga
Is It Officially Licensed Past Where The Anime Ends?: Yes
Is It Fan Translated Past Where The Anime Ends?: Yes
Entry Last Updated: March 12th, 2025
Where To Start The Lupin the 3rd Manga After The Anime?
The only answer as to where to begin the Lupin the 3rd manga after any of the anime is Chapter 1.
While Lupin the 3rd is based on a manga series, the anime is really not often adapting that manga series.
In the first three Lupin anime series, you will see a manga chapter adapted here and there, tapering off as the anime continued on to the point where Part 4 and Part 6 really didn’t adapt anything from the manga at all. Although, Part 4 does have its own manga adaptation separate from the main manga series, but it only adapts the events of the anime.
It is also very important to know that the Lupin story you know and love from the anime is very different in the manga. The manga is darker in every possible way. The characters are more brutal and even a little evil—Lupin himself included. There is a lot more sex and violence. There are a lot of more dark stories going on, and that silly, cocky sort of vibe you get from the anime is much less of a thing in the manga, often replaced by pure malice.
As the anime is so different from the manga, you will also find that any single chapter of the manga they adapted to the anime is also greatly changed. They neuter out all the darker elements, changes the character personalities to fit in line with their anime counterparts, and often alter the chapters so that more of the core cast appear.
Is The Lupin the 3rd Manga Over?
The original Lupin the 3rd manga is complete. It ended in 1969 with Volume 14, Chapter 109.
The sequel manga, Shin Lupin the 3rd, is also complete. It ended in 1981 with Volume 17, Chapter 180.
The sequel to Shin Lupin, Lupin the 3rd S, is also complete. It ended in 1997 with Volume 1, Chapter 5.
The sequel to Lupin the 3rd S, Lupin the 3rd Y, is also complete. It ended in 2003 with Volume 20, Chapter 221.
Various Lupin Spin-off Manga
- Lupin the 3rd Italiano (2015) – Adaptation of the story of the Part 4 Lupin anime.
- Lupin III: Neighbor World Princess – Isekai Lupin story
- Juusan Daime Ishikawa Goemon – Goemon spin-off
- Inspector Zenigata – Zenigata spin-off
- Lupin Jr. – Spin-off about Lupin’s son.
