The first known home release was the French VHS release of Lupin VS the Clone known as Lupin III in 1981 by Super Vision. In both Japan and the US, the first TV episodes that were released were "Wings of Death - Albatross" and "Farewell My Beloved Lupin" in 1983 and 1993. The first versions of Lupin VS the Clone and The Castle of Cagliostro by Toho Video in Japan were cut down to 90 minutes due to tape technology at the time prevented the full version from getting released, later these were re-released in their intended run times. A 9 minute version of VS the Clone was also made for the Super 8 format.
In Japan, most releases outside of past VHS releases are handled by VAP. VAP being the home media department of co-producer NTV. The exceptions are The Plot of the Fuma Clan and The Legend of the Gold of Babylon along with the live action films where Toho has the rights while the Lupin the IIIrd Universe were released by Kadokawa. The Legend of the Gold of Babylon is the only main movie that does not have a Blu-ray in Japan but had International releases and HD broadcasts on TV.
Yamato Video has handled releases in Italy since roughly 2001 with Dynit and Shin Vision handled a few movies and TV Specials until Yamato got full rights. Unlike the other companies, Yamato Video works with other distributors such as Dolmen, CG and Anime Factory. Originally in the US, it was handled by Streamline Pictures until they closed down, then the series was split between Funimation who handled the TV Specials and two movies while Pioneer handled Lupin the 3rd Part 2 and The Mystery of Mamo. Pioneer changed into Geneon then closed its US branch after reaching 79 episodes and the last Lupin release from Funimation being The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. Currently Discotek has handled the series however GKIDS handled The First while Sentai released Lupin the 3rd Part 6 and Lupin Zero. The UK has a smaller market with the three anime distributors Manga (now Crunchyroll), MVM and Anime Limited handled releases in the past outside of The Castle of Cagliostro that was handled by StudioCanal. Currently Anime Limited as the rights. In Germany, Crunchyroll has home media rights.
Due to the amount of home media releases that the series has over its history, this list is not complete. Various VHS releases including Hong Kong/Taiwan releases (non-bootleg) are currently unknown.
All images belong to TMS/NTV/YTV.
Other[]
In Japan, there were special releases that contained bonus features such as textless openings and endings, trailers and other contents.
| Format | Release Date | Title | Publisher | Catalog Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VHS | March 1, 1989 | Lupin the 3rd Secret File | Toho | ??? | Pilot Film, Trailers of Mystery of Mamo, Castle of Cagliostro, Legend of the Gold of Babylon, The Fuma Conspiracy |
| VHS | 1989 | Lupin III Secret File 2: Sound Collection | Toho | TA-1949 | Clean OP/EDs to Part I, II and III, eyecatches from Part II, openings of The Mystery of Mamo, Castle of Cagliostro, The Legend of the Gold of Babylon, The Fuma Conspiracy, ending of The Mystery of Mamo |
| Laserdisc | March 1, 1989 | Lupin the 3rd Secret File | Toho | TLW-2135 | Pilot Film, Trailers of Mystery of Mamo, Castle of Cagliostro, Legend of the Gold of Babylon, The Fuma Conspiracy |
| Laserdisc | 1989 | Lupin III Secret File 2: Sound Collection | Toho | TLW-2144 | Clean OP/EDs to Part I, II and III, eyecatches from Part II, openings of The Mystery of Mamo, Castle of Cagliostro, The Legend of the Gold of Babylon, The Fuma Conspiracy, ending of The Mystery of Mamo |
| Laserdisc | March 1, 1995 | Lupin the 3rd Trailers History | VAP | VPLY-70519 | Trailers of Part I, Part II, The Mystery of Mamo, The Castle of Cagliostro, Part III, Legend of the Gold of Babylon, Bye-Bye Liberty - Close Call!, Mystery of the Hemingway Papers, Steal Napoleon's Dictionary, From Russia with Love, Orders to Assassinate Lupin and Burn, Zantetsuken! |
| Laserdisc | 1996 | Lupin the 3rd Secret File | Toho | TLW-2475 | Contains Secret File 1 & 2 contents with a trailer of Strange Psychokinetic Strategy but the Pilot Film is cropped |
