This was the second hour-long video that followed in the edgy footsteps of A Woman Called Fujiko Mine. As with the previous video, this is about Lupin and company facing down an unstoppable assassin.

The axe-wielding assassin feels a little underbaked and inconsistent (at one point he starts talking about being tired but it's unexplained and never returned to). But if you want a bunch of mass-murdery action, this is more than happy to give it to you.

On a bright note, while the previous video reduced Fujiko Mine to damsel-in-distress eye candy, this one gives us back the normal Lupin III sexy trickster.

A very beautiful and interesting piece of anime with a proper story! Right from the beginning up to the very end, it has incredible written all over it. The animation is prepossessing. and the same can be said about its story.

One of the best anime I have ever seen - these 10 stars are for some of the most beautiful animation/music and an amazing plot. Utterly impressed.

Another spin-off from the TV series; The Woman Called Fujiko amine. Almost identical in following the story format of Daisuke Jigen's Gravestone, but swapping around characters and their predicaments. Not as plot heavy this time around, where it's the quietly unassuming samurai Goemon Ishikawa's turn (just like in The Fuma Conspiracy) to take on the limelight. It looks like he has met his match to the point his skilful, breakneck blades have less of an effect. Quite an eye-opening experience, which had him trying to find his inner-self through spiritual meditation after such devastating defeats that he can't help but relive. Giving into this torment, it shows a vulnerability never really shown before. His foe is an ex-soldier turned assassin, Hawk, whose brute mountain man appearance reminded me of Bluto from Popeye. An unstoppable force who goes about his business in a causal manner; donning a wide-brim hat, bulging biceps and side-holsters packing axes. To beat this opponent, it's going to take something unconventional. The encounters between Goemon and Hawk are a full-on assault, surprisingly gory and magnificently illustrated, although another highlight is Goemon going to work slicing through some crime underworld figures. It's a beautiful sight!

It's a boldly violent, and reflective tale where the signature playful elements of humour and adventure are toned down for something rather focused and adult-laced. The sharply concise chase narrative had little distractions, providing exhilarating action scenes of destruction and carnage. Again like Jigen's Gravestone, the script had Lupin and co playing secondary to the title character. Flashy animated visuals simply pop with vivid creativity and personality adding to the OVA's suave and flooring style. I really love Takeshi Koike's direction and refreshing vision for this franchise.