Legendary Lupin III Composer Yuji Ohno Has Passed Away

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Yuji Ohno, the celebrated jazz musician and composer famous for his work on the Lupin III anime series—including its iconic opening theme—has died at age 84. Lupin III, created by Kazuhiko Kato (known as Monkey Punch), first appeared in Weekly Manga Action in 1967 and remains incredibly popular today, with new installments still being released almost 60 years later. Many fans feel Ohno’s music is essential to the manga and its subsequent anime adaptations and films, and the series’ theme song is considered a timeless anime classic.

The anime Lupin III centers around Lupin, a charismatic thief and the grandson of the famous Arsène Lupin. He announces his heists with calling cards and steals valuable items in spectacular fashion. He’s often joined by his loyal sharpshooter, Jigen, the seductive and resourceful Fujiko, and the master swordsman Goemon, whose blade can cut through anything. Hot on their trail is Inspector Zenigata, determined to finally capture the elusive thieves. Though the series follows a familiar pattern, it remains a beloved classic of the action comedy genre.

Influential Jazz Musician Yuji Ohno Dies at 84

Yuji Ohno, the musician known for his work on the Lupin III anime series, died of natural causes on May 4th, according to his website. He began contributing music to Lupin III with Lupin III: Part II in 1977 and created many memorable tracks for the show. A pianist from a young age, Ohno taught himself jazz in high school and played in bands at Keio University, including the Light Music Society and a jazz quintet led by clarinetist Koji Fujika. Beyond Lupin III, his film scores included Kon Ichikawa’s The Inugami Family and Junya Sato’s Proof of the Man, both released in 1977. He also composed music for other anime series like Captain Future, A Time Slip of 10000 Years: Prime Rose, and Space Adventure Cobra.

One of composer Yuji Ohno’s most celebrated achievements was his music for Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, a fan favorite in the Lupin III series. Released in 1979, the film was the first directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who later co-founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. Although it didn’t perform well in theaters initially, The Castle of Cagliostro gained a dedicated following over time and has inspired countless creators, including John Lasseter, a co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, who cited Cagliostro as a key influence on his work.

The latest Lupin movie, Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline, came out in 2025. It’s a prequel to the very first Lupin film, The Mystery of Mamo, which was released in 1978, and it was well-received by both critics and audiences. People especially praised its stunning visuals, exciting action, and memorable villains. The film was directed by Takeshi Koike, who also directed other Lupin movies like Jigen’s Gravestone and Fujiko’s Lie.

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Fans looking to watch the classic Lupin III anime can find it streaming on Crunchyroll. The service also offers Lupin the Third – The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, a 2012 adaptation that’s unique for being directed by Sayo Yamamoto – the only woman to direct an installment in the series – and for shifting the focus away from Lupin as the main character.

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2026-05-13 19:35