Alright folks, it’s time we return to The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. This distinctive series’ last episode was mostly unusual in terms of how not unusual it was – that is, it was pretty darn close to a classic Lupin adventure, from its heavy focus on Lupin and Jigen, to its consistent portrayal of Fujiko as an unattainable prize, to its ultimately straightforward grave-robbing narrative. If it had any single thematic intent, it was to emphatically reiterate that to people like Lupin and Fujiko, the ownership of valuable objects is nearly meaningless – it is only the chase for those objects they revere, the covetous glee of wanting something precious that isn’t yours. This show has regularly contrasted that thief’s creed with various characters’ attitudes towards Fujiko herself, and in episode five, she used the power of her unattainability to spin Lupin like a little toy top. In the end, these two chases collapsed into one resolution, as the team’s need to abandon the blue peacock led to Fujiko disappearing into the sunset as well.
As fun as it was, I’ve been informed that episode is basically the only “traditionally Lupin” installment in this series. With that in mind, let’s see where Fujiko’s journeys take us next, as we navigate power, gender, crime, and much else on this thrilling ride!
