Lupin has been sentenced to death – but even though his execution was carried out, he's alive and back in action! The thief is manipulated by Fujiko into stealing the Philosopher's Stone for her benefactor, the mysterious Mamo – but just who is this guy and what does he want with such a thing? The Mystery of Mamo is a big, boisterous globetrotting adventure that builds to a bombastic, surreal sci-fi finale, illustrated with an eye-catching (almost ligne claire) art style. It also explores the Lupin-Fujiko relationship – is it just shallow, based on manipulation and lust, or is there something more? and how does that wishy-washiness affect Jigen and Goemon?
This movie is much more in tone with the racier, wilder manga – produced as Part II aired, Mamo took advantage of the looser guidelines available to theatrical films. Even if exaggerated, it's a good example of the ribald and goofy tone emblematic of the series. Perhaps especially when compared to the next year's film...