“Lupin the Third: The Tale of the Wolf” is one of the most significant and beloved entries in the “Lupin III” franchise. Originally created by Monkey Punch, the series has garnered a vast following due to its blend of action, humor, and complex characters, all while being infused with a strong sense of adventure. However, for many fans, particularly those outside Japan, it is the English-language versions that have helped introduce the franchise to the West. Among these versions, the Streamline Dub of Lupin the Third: The Tale of the Wolf stands out as one of the most memorable and iconic English adaptations.
This article will provide an in-depth review of the “Streamline Dub” of Lupin the Third: The Tale of the Wolf, examining its impact on the Western audience, the unique characteristics of the adaptation, and how it has influenced the popularity of the Lupin III series in the U.S.
The Lupin III Legacy
Before diving into the specifics of the Streamline Dub, it’s essential to understand the “Lupin III” franchise as a whole. First published as a manga in 1967 by Monkey Punch (Kazuhiko Kato), Lupin the Third quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The series follows Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of the legendary French master thief Arsène Lupin, as he embarks on various high-stakes heists, often in the company of his loyal allies, such as Jigen, the sharpshooter, Goemon, the sword master, and Fujiko Mine, the femme fatale. They are often pursued by the dogged and determined Inspector Zenigata.
The series blends action, slapstick comedy, and a touch of noir, with Lupin himself often portrayed as a charming rogue who outwits his foes using his ingenuity, resourcefulness, and charm. Lupin III has become a quintessential example of Japanese animation, influencing countless shows and movies over the years.
Introduction to the Streamline Dub
Streamline Pictures, an American company that was instrumental in the 1990s in bringing Japanese animation to a Western audience, is perhaps best known for their English dubs of popular anime films and series. Founded in 1988, Streamline was responsible for the English adaptations of several seminal anime titles, such as Akira, The Wings of Honnêamise, and, most notably for our purposes, Lupin the Third: The Tale of the Wolf (1994).
The Streamline Dub of Lupin the Third: The Tale of the Wolf is not the first English adaptation of the Lupin III franchise, but it is arguably one of the most influential. Streamline took significant liberties with the dub to make it more accessible and entertaining for American audiences. While some purists may criticize these adaptations for deviating from the original source material, others appreciate the creative liberties taken to bring a distinct flair to the anime.
The Plot of The Tale of the Wolf
Released in 1994, The Tale of the Wolf (originally titled Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo in Japan) is an adventurous heist film that follows Lupin III on one of his most outrageous missions yet. The story centers around Lupin’s quest to track down a mysterious scientist named Mamo, who is said to possess the key to immortality.
The film’s central conflict involves Lupin’s pursuit of an enigmatic man named Mamo, who is rumored to have discovered a secret that can grant him eternal life. The plot takes Lupin and his companions on a whirlwind journey, filled with high-octane action sequences, elaborate heists, and comical exchanges between characters.
In The Tale of the Wolf, the main antagonist is the mysterious and immortal Mamo, who seeks to control the world through his incredible scientific advancements. However, what makes the plot truly interesting is the interplay between Lupin’s ability to outwit his enemies and the classic tropes of anime action, creating an engaging mix of thrills and humor.
The plot also touches on themes of immortality, the pursuit of power, and the consequences of meddling with nature—all explored through Lupin’s typical antics and out-of-the-box thinking.
Streamline Dub: A Bold and Unique Adaptation
The most interesting aspect of the Streamline Dub is its approach to translating Japanese culture and humor into something more familiar and accessible to Western audiences. Streamline Pictures, led by the creative vision of Carl Macek (best known for his work on Robotech), was keen to make the dialogue snappy, fast-paced, and reflective of the Western film noir tradition. As a result, the dub altered certain aspects of the script, sometimes significantly, to better align with American sensibilities.
The character voices in the Streamline Dub are also noteworthy. The voice actors, including Tony Oliver (Lupin), Richard Epcar (Jigen), and others, delivered performances that were both fitting and exaggerated, creating a tone that both captured the spirit of the original Japanese series and gave the characters a Westernized flair. The exaggerated humor and stylized voices added a distinct layer of entertainment, setting the dub apart from more traditional English-language adaptations of anime.
Lupin III’s Dynamic Characters in the Streamline Dub
One of the greatest strengths of the Lupin III franchise is its memorable cast of characters. The Streamline Dub’s interpretation of these characters was designed to be in tune with the original performances but with certain tweaks for a Western audience. Let’s take a look at how the characters were portrayed in the dub.
- Arsène Lupin III – In the Streamline Dub, Lupin is voiced by Tony Oliver, who brings a certain charm and wit to the character. Lupin’s charismatic and mischievous nature is amplified through Oliver’s playful performance, making him a delight for fans of the series. The dub also emphasizes Lupin’s smooth-talking, flirtatious side, which fits well with the swashbuckling thief archetype.
- Daisuke Jigen – Richard Epcar’s portrayal of the sharpshooter Jigen is a notable standout. Jigen is usually depicted as the no-nonsense, grizzled veteran who serves as Lupin’s loyal sidekick, and Epcar’s voice performance conveys this with a gravelly, deep tone. The voice captures Jigen’s cool and collected persona, adding depth to his relationship with Lupin.
- Goemon Ishikawa XIII – In contrast to Jigen’s gritty portrayal, Goemon, the swordsman, is voiced in the Streamline Dub by Greg Dykstra. Goemon is typically portrayed as stoic and serious, with his demeanor often providing comic relief in contrast to the more lighthearted characters. Dykstra’s performance adds an interesting contrast to the other characters, emphasizing Goemon’s unwavering commitment to his honor and martial arts skills.
- Fujiko Mine – Fujiko, the femme fatale who frequently plays both the love interest and antagonist to Lupin, is voiced by actress and voice director Michelle L. Lee in the Streamline Dub. Lee’s portrayal highlights Fujiko’s seductive nature while also showing her manipulative tendencies. Fujiko’s chemistry with Lupin is palpable, as she often alternates between being his partner in crime and betraying him for personal gain.
- Inspector Zenigata – The unrelenting Inspector Zenigata, voiced by Dan Lorge in the Streamline Dub, brings a lot of humor to the series. Zenigata’s obsession with catching Lupin makes him a perfect foil to Lupin’s crafty nature. His bumbling but determined personality is emphasized, making him both a source of tension and comic relief throughout the movie.
Cultural Localization and Humor in the Streamline Dub
One of the defining features of the Streamline Dub was its approach to cultural localization. Streamline Pictures made the decision to adapt many of the humor and cultural references to resonate with American audiences. In some instances, this led to altered jokes, puns, and references that were more in line with Western pop culture.
For example, rather than using obscure Japanese references that might have confused American viewers, the Streamline Dub opted to insert references to American film and pop culture. In doing so, the humor became more relatable for Western audiences, allowing them to connect with the material more easily. While this approach certainly made the dub more palatable for English-speaking viewers, it also led to criticisms from purists who felt that the essence of the original script was diluted.
The Music: A Fusion of East and West
The music in The Tale of the Wolf also received some alterations for the English dub. While the original soundtrack, composed by Yuji Ohno, maintained a distinct jazzy and orchestral sound, the Streamline Dub included certain Western musical cues to match the tone of the dub. The jazzy, upbeat themes were retained, but the incorporation of Western-styled jazz and pop elements helped to bridge the cultural gap between Japan and the U.S.
This fusion of East and West in the soundtrack served as an additional layer to the localization process, providing a unique sonic experience for viewers who were unfamiliar with the original score.
Impact on Lupin III’s Popularity in the West
The Streamline Dub played a pivotal role in introducing the Lupin III franchise to a larger audience outside of Japan, particularly in the United States. Prior to the dub’s release, Lupin III had been somewhat obscure in Western countries. However, the bold and engaging English adaptation made it more accessible and enjoyable to American viewers. The success of The Tale of the Wolf in English helped lay the foundation for the subsequent popularity of the Lupin III franchise in the U.S., sparking interest in the series as a whole.
The Streamline Dub’s success also contributed to the growing interest in anime during the 1990s, paving the way for other iconic series like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon to enter mainstream American television. Many fans who first encountered Lupin III through the Streamline Dub went on to explore the original Japanese version and other Lupin-related media, creating a loyal fanbase that persists to this day.
Conclusion
The Streamline Dub of Lupin the Third: The Tale of the Wolf remains one of the most significant English adaptations of a Japanese anime series. By combining fast-paced dialogue, snappy humor, and memorable voice performances, the dub introduced a new generation of fans to the world of Lupin III. The dub’s cultural localization and unique approach to character voices created a distinct version of the anime that resonated with Western audiences.
While the Streamline Dub may not perfectly capture every nuance of the original Japanese material, its impact on the international popularity of Lupin III is undeniable. It helped to create a bridge between Japanese anime and Western audiences, contributing to the ongoing legacy of one of the most iconic characters in the history of animation.
