Reception
The film received generally positive reviews from critics.
In a positive review, Matthew Allan of The Rolling Tape found the film to be a fun adventure, despite not having seen any previous Lupin media, saying “I went in quite blind, but I still found The Immortal Bloodline to be a fun adventure, and Koike’s passion for the franchise shines throughout.”
Tito W. James of comicon.com felt “Immortal Bloodline is a heist film, spy thriller, globetrotting adventure, and sci-fi horror film all rolled into one. The action is top-notch; delivering shootouts, showdowns, and car-chases that put Hollywood to shame. Muom and his interpreter are great villains and strike the right balance between creepy and campy” but added “janky CGI fodder-enemies add a noticeable blemish on such a great-looking film”
Reviewing for But Why Tho?, LaNeysha Campbell writes “Lupin III: The Immortal Bloodline is a visual treat that fittingly brings together the threads of Koike’s other cinematic Lupin III films in an exciting penultimate culmination that spans a decade. Despite some shortcomings, the film is a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as trust, immortality, and what it means to truly live. The film’s philosophical depth provides a more introspective look into Lupin’s character, highlighting what makes him so endearing.”
In another review, Robert Ewing of The People’s Movies says “Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline is a bold yet ambivalent conclusion to Takeshi Koike’s Lupin the IIIrd franchise, which began over eleven years ago. It features a thematically rich second half, stunning animation, and exhilarating action. However, it is held back by its B-movie narrative and problematic portrayal of its sole adult female character, Fujiko Mine. Ultimately, it results in a serviceable film that leaves you desiring more.”
In a more negative review, Media.com reviewer DoctorKev praised the action sequences but felt the film was overall disjointed, and would offer little to nothing for viewers who hadn’t seen the previous LUPIN THE IIIRD installments, concluding “[The Immortal Bloodline] is a deeply flawed film that’s saved by some phenomenal action animation, but the plot is all over the place and full of holes only partially fillable with knowledge of the 1978 movie it’s been designed to prequelise.”
