Napoleon's Dictionary | Lupin III Encyclopedia

Japanese Title:: Rupan Sansei: Naporeon no Jisho wo Ubae
Jacket Color:: Red
Release Date:: 1991 August 09
Run Time:: 90 minutes

Synopsis

While Lupin does enjoy racing for the sport of it, the prize in an antique car grand prix across Europe is Lupin's only goal. The prize is a dictionary that once belonged to Napoleon. More importantly, the dictionary was also once owned by Lupin's family and contains the location of one of his family's most prized possessions. Lupin does not know what the possession is, but it is a matter of family pride. With the usual suspects on his trail, can Lupin outrace everyone to the treasure?!

"Are we there yet?" This is the phrase viewers of Napoleon's Dictionary will utter through most of the special. Lupin must participate in an antique car grand prix across Europe to reclaim the dictionary and the key to a lost Lupin family treasure contained within. However, the ride only manages to be mildly entertaining relying on gadgets and a few comedic moments to pass the time.

The special does manage to get a few pieces right; there are comedic touches that will have you laughing aloud. Save for Fujiko, all of the characters are heavily involved in the plot, and the plot itself is well paced and animated. Goemon fans will also enjoy his sword work at the end of the special.

What works the most is the actual treasure for this special; Lupin knows little about it other than it was spirited away from his grandfather by a neglected wife. When the treasure is revealed, the result is a familiar one but is given a unique twist not seen in other Lupin titles. One has to applaud the writers for producing a fresh ending, but the sum of this special's parts just does not add up to a title worth watching more than once.

Arsene Lupin III:

Yasuo Yamada

Jigen Daisuke:

Kiyoshi Kobayashi

Goemon Ishikawa XIII:

Makio Inoue

Fujiko Mine:

Eiko Masuyama

Inspector Zenigata:

Gorō Naya

Cast data provided by Anime News Network. Check their official page for any additional data not supplied through their API.

Director: