On Feb. 3, a collaboration event with the popular manga and anime series Lupin III titled “Isetan x Lupin III: Lupinissimo in Isetan 2016” began at the Isetan Shinjuku Flagship Store. The event, which runs until Feb. 8, features outfits themed after the characters on display in the seventh floor event space.
An opening ceremony was also held on the first day. Staff behind the series gathered on stage including Sega Sammy Holdings CEO Hajime Satomi, Nippon TV Operations Executive Yoshio Nakayama, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings President Hiroshi Onishi, and TMS Entertainment CEO Yoshiharu Suzuki. Joining them on stage as a guest was the voice of Lupin III in the anime, Kanichi Kurita.
The festivities are part of Isetan’s 130th anniversary celebration. Because of the wide popularity of Lupin III that spans from kids to adults, there was huge excitement over the collaboration from the very beginning. President Onishi said that he wanted to make an event that would serve as a reference point for making efforts with the industry of anime and other Japanese culture content inside a department store with a long history, which hints at his expectation of also creating a business opportunity.
During the ceremony, Kanichi Kurita slipped into a Lupin III voice here and there, so there was a perfect amount of playfulness with the crowd too. He talked about a special announcement that was recorded just for the occasion. The announcement was recorded with him and the voice of Inspector Zenigata, Koichi Yamadera. He talked about how he says in the announcement, “Why are Lupin’s cheaper?” at the fact that Zenigata’s outfit is more expansive than Lupin’s. Their comical announcement was also played, with replicas of their costumes unveiled at the very end. This October will mark the 30th year since the TV series Lupin III began airing. The revamped Lupin wears a blue blazer, and the stage switches to Italy.
It’s a given that the event would have Lupin III merchandise lined up, and the lineup is enormous. First off there are the regulars like clear files, towels, and figures, and there are even artsy items like canvas clay woodblock prints. They may be pricy, but they are indispensable collector’s items for fans. They are even signed by series author Monkey Punch.
Further captivating are the fashion items. There’s a lineup of items themed after Lupin and Zenigata, and new character Rebecca is even included too. The series is expressed through fashion that includes, of course, jackets, Japanese fashion, and girly items. There are also Lupin’s striped trunks, a perfect present for your Valentine.
Other popular items include a selection of ukiyo-e prints and wine. The wine is an Isetan Mitsukoshi original item from the Republic of San Marino. The cool collaboration wine even comes in a Lupin III package. Also for sale are glasses and tin badges, and there are crane games where you can win a Fujiko Mine figure ahead of its release. The event is only on for a short time, so it’s sure to be packed.
Source: animeanime
Source article written by Takaroku