For the start of what would eventually prove a perennially prolific and iconic franchise, Lupin III's first jump to animation stumbles about considerably in getting to its classic tone and formula. By all accounts, bringing on Miyazaki as a new director more on-board with broadening the appeal played a big part. Cutting back on the sleaze and cynicism and dialing up the plucky cat-and-mouse adventure worked out well. I did miss that 30s yellow Mercedes from the early episodes, though.