Anime is often synonymous with the bold and the bombastic: sprawling worlds, intricate mythologies, and stories that push the limits of animation. But sometimes, greatness comes in the guise of a crime caper. Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro, released in 1979, is one of those rare anime films that feels effortless in its charm. With breathtaking design, tight storytelling, and a warm beating heart underneath some incredible action sequences, it is both a standout in the Lupin franchise and a key early work in the career of its director, Hayao Miyazaki.

At the time of The Castle of Cagliostro, the Lupin the Third franchise was already well-known in Japan. Originally a manga created by Monkey Punch in 1967, the story of gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III has become a fixture of pop culture thanks to two TV anime series and a prior theatrical film, Mystery of Mamo. But The Castle of Cagliostro took a different approach. Miyazaki's approach softened Lupin’s edges and grounded the character in a more romantic, classical adventure. It was a departure that surprised longtime fans and laid the foundation for a film and a director that would influence generations to come.

Miyazaki’s First Steps as a Director

A Fairy Tale with Teeth

Hayao Miyazaki was not a stranger to Lupin the Third when he took on the project of helming Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro. He had already directed several episodes of the second Lupin the Third TV series under a pseudonym and had worked closely with key figures at Tokyo Movie Shinsha, the home of Lupin the Third anime. But The Castle of Cagliostro marked Miyazaki's debut as a feature film director. In interviews with Animage and Kinema Junpo, Miyazaki recalled how he wanted to return to a more playful and gallant version of Lupin, distancing the character from the more lecherous and violent interpretations of the past.

The story takes place in a fictional European country, where Lupin and his partners Jigen and Goemon arrive after pulling off a casino heist, only to find that the cash they stole is counterfeit. Their investigation leads them to the tiny nation of Cagliostro, where they uncover a sinister plot involving forged currency, an imprisoned princess, and a hidden treasure buried beneath an ancient castle. It is a light-hearted tale on the surface, but Miyazaki weaves in themes of nostalgia, lost youth, and moral conviction that give the film real emotional weight.

A Castle Full of Secrets and Style

The Most Famous Car Chase in Anime

Even in his first film, made prior to the formation of Studio Ghibli in 1985, Miyazaki’s love of architecture, nature, and tactile detail is evident. The castle itself is a marvel: towering, mysterious, and filled with mechanical traps and secret ages. The rooftops, bridges, and winding staircases are more than just backdrops for chase scenes. They are part of the narrative’s rhythm. Studio staff, including art director Yasuo Otsuka, later revealed in Japanese retrospectives that real-world locations in Europe inspired the film’s settings, particularly Monaco and northern Italy. This sense of place would go on to define much of Miyazaki’s later work, such as Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Howl’s Moving Castle.

One of The Castle of Cagliostro’s most iconic sequences, the car chase in the opening act, was storyboarded in a rush but became one of the most celebrated in anime history. The scene, which features Lupin driving a tiny Fiat 500 through hills, tunnels, and enemy fire, is still used today in Japanese animation schools as a masterclass in motion and pacing. According to a 2008 interview with Toshio Suzuki, the team had little time and budget. Miyazaki’s clear vision kept the production focused. The result is exhilarating, inventive, and an essential action anime sequence.

Performances that Brought the Story to Life

Clarisse and the Miyazaki Heroine Archetype

Voice actor Yasuo Yamada, who originated the role of Lupin in the original 1971 anime, returned to play the part, bringing a warmth and wit that fit Miyazaki’s reimagined version of the character. In a 1980 interview published in Animec, Yamada expressed surprise at how noble Lupin had become, saying, “This time, he’s more like a knight than a thief.” ing characters like Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko all retain their familiar charm but are used more sparingly to keep the spotlight on Lupin’s evolving sense of justice and responsibility. Even Inspector Zenigata, usually comic relief, is portrayed with genuine resolve.

The character of Clarisse, voiced by Sumi Shimamoto, became one of Miyazaki’s earliest heroines in the mold he would later refine. She is kind and gentle but also shows moments of courage that subtly redefine the damsel-in-distress trope. Clarisse’s quiet sadness and hope play against Lupin’s roguish persona, giving the film a wistful tone. In a 2013 NHK documentary, Miyazaki itted that he still felt emotionally connected to Clarisse, calling her “a girl I could never forget.” That emotional honesty is felt in every frame of their scenes together.

A Critical Darling in Hindsight

A Timeless Classic that Still Steals Hearts

When The Castle of Cagliostro opened in Japanese theaters in December 1979, it did modest business, ranking 15th at the domestic box office that year. However, critics took notice. Reviewers praised the film’s elegant staging and novel sense of humor. Over time, as Miyazaki’s fame grew, the film was revisited and reevaluated. It is now widely regarded in Japan as one of the finest animated films ever made, often appearing on best anime film lists. Internationally, Cagliostro found a second life. Although the film was not released in the United States until the early 2000s, its influence had already seeped into Western animation. Directors like John Lasseter and Steven Spielberg have cited it as a favorite.

Today, Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro is more than just a standout in a long-running franchise. It is a blueprint for how to make an action-adventure film with heart, humor, and meaning. It also serves as a time capsule, a glimpse into a young Hayao Miyazaki’s emerging worldview, shaped by animation’s limits and possibilities. That a film so full of warmth and detail was made under such intense deadlines makes its achievements all the more impressive. If you have never made the journey to Cagliostro before, then now is the time to spring into action.