Monkey Punch Manga Katsudou Dai Shashin: Crime Mate Special

Monkey Punch Manga Katsudou Dai Shashin: Crime Mate Special was released in 2005 by TMS Entertainment as a high-quality commemorative project. It serves as a tribute to the prolific career of Kazuhiko Kato, better known by his pen name Monkey Punch, and his most iconic creation, Lupin III. The release was designed to revisit the aesthetic roots of the original manga, bridging the gap between the character's printed origins and the studio's long-running animation legacy.

The visual direction for this special focuses on replicating the gritty, kinetic energy that defined Monkey Punch’s signature style during the late 1960s. By employing a production approach that prioritizes character design fidelity, the studio aimed to evoke a sense of nostalgia among long-time readers while introducing a new generation to the irreverent tone of the original Crime Mate series. It is regarded by collectors as a sophisticated archival effort that honors the historical impact of the Lupin III franchise.