- Fujiko Mine
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Fujiko Mine Lupin III character 
Fujiko Mine, as seen in Lupin III - Alcatraz ConnectionCreated by Monkey Punch Voiced by Japanese
Eiko Masuyama (1969; 1977-1985; 1989-2010)
Yukiko Nikaido (1971)
Mami Koyama (1987)
Miyuki Sawashiro (2011-)
English
Corinne Orr (Toho)
Edie Mirman (Streamline)
Michele Seidman (AnimEigo)
Toni Barry (Manga UK)
Dorothy Elias-Fahn (Manga)
Meredith McCoy (FUNimation)
Michelle Ruff (Geneon)Fujiko Mine (峰 不二子 Mine Fujiko) is a fictional character created by Monkey Punch, for his Lupin III series. Fujiko is a professional criminal, burglar and "confidence trickster". In The_Castle_of_Cagliostro Fujiko states that she and Lupin had been lovers, but also that she ended the relationship IMDB, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079833/quotes?qt=qt0247028. Her name means "mountain peaks of Fuji".
She routinely makes deals with Zenigata or Lupin's current enemy in an attempt to gain freedom or loot. While Lupin normally is able to outsmart Fujiko, she is able to make off with some or all of his loot on occasion.
Contents
Personality
Fujiko is not part of Lupin's gang, but often participates in Lupin's exploits. However, as a grifter par excellence she exclusively works to serve her own interests, which usually conflict with Lupin's.
Frequently, these schemes involve her betraying Lupin to get close to the enemy, whom she intends on double-crossing at a later time as well (and sometimes, though rarely, help to extricate Lupin and the gang for the trouble she put them into, as if to atone for her misdeed). This never seems to bother Lupin, however. In the 2004 TV special, Stolen Lupin, he remarked, "Betrayal is the exclusive right of women." In the 1995 movie Farewell to Nostradamus, he told Fujiko (who had lost her memory) he almost looks forward to her betraying him.
Jigen despises Fujiko, and sees her showing up as a sign of rough times ahead, although originally, all three of the men were after her. Goemon has been known to work with Fujiko on capers when it is to his benefit, but can be equally distrustful of her when he thinks she is manipulating Lupin.
Lupin is completely infatuated with Fujiko, and will do anything for her. While Fujiko uses this, she never gets Lupin into any trouble he cannot get out of. The creator of the series has said that the two "enjoy each other", and are quite content with their bizarre yet amicable relationship, comparing it to his own marriage.[1]
Fujiko does exhibit feelings of love for Lupin, but usually only if she thinks one (or both) of them are dying. On occasions where Lupin appears to have died, she grieves and has even stated that her life has no meaning without him. However, her attitude always reverts at once when she finds him alive.
Her hobbies seem to be sunbathing, dancing, travel, shopping, swimming, other water sports, and hobnobbing with the rich and famous. An excellent shot, she usually outfits herself with a Browning M1910. Like the other members of Lupin's team, she is able to pilot virtually any land, sea, and air vehicle, with her personal preference being a Kawasaki motorcycle. Fujiko's preferred drink is champagne; she occasionally smokes cigarettes and on rare occasions a bamboo kiseru.
Background
Fujiko's professional background is most likely connected with Japanese organized crime, as hinted by the Lupin III TV episode, "An Assassin Sings the Blues".
During the episode, Lupin's sidekick Jigen recalls a story of the Golden Couple; a partnership formed between a mysterious female assassin and the notorious Killer Pun. The couple was famous for carrying out contract killings without failure.
However, the partnership ended abruptly when Pun's employer ordered the woman's execution. Pun failed to kill the woman, due to emotional attachment, and she disappeared.
Furthermore, Lupin and Jigen were led to believe that Fujiko suffers from amnesia. Fujiko claims not to remember anything prior the three years she first met Lupin. The timing of her memory loss coincided with the disappearance of Pun's partner. Her connection with Pun was later confirmed in the episode.
Abilities
Fujiko is intelligent, crafty and often uses seduction as a tool for getting what she wants from unsuspecting men; usually men with influence and wealth.
Fujiko invests a lot of time in get-rich-quick schemes, some of which fail miserably and inevitably leads her to manipulate Lupin for help.
She is also proficient in disguise, handling of firearms, martial arts and professional theft. All of these aforementioned attributes portray Fujiko as a stereotypical femme fatale.
Origins
In the manga, Fujiko originally arrives in the third chapter of the first volume, thus being the first of Lupin's three associates to arrive. She initially appears as a con woman attempting to worm her way into the fortune of a rich family, whose heir has hired Lupin as security. Immediately upon arriving, she recognizes Lupin through his disguise somehow, and by the end of the arc, Lupin has sided with her to rob the entire family.
Popularity
In 2007, Oricon magazine polled readers on which characters they would most like to see in their own series.[2] Fujiko appeared in the seventh position on the female polls, and fifth place overall. The magazine company also asked their readers in the very same year who they believed is the most beautiful woman in manga. Fujiko Mine was crowned the title by scoring first place overall with high rankings from both male and female voters.[3] She was voted as the 2nd most iconic anime heroine from Mania.com[4]
In Azumanga Daioh, Tomo Takino is a fan of the anime series Lupin III and says that she admires Fujiko. She constantly makes references to herself as Fujiko Mine, despite the fact the two are totally different in looks and personality.[5]
References
- ^ Divers, Allen (2003-11-13). "Interview: Monkey Punch". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2003-11-13. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
- ^ "Oricon: Fans Want L, Char Aznable Spinoffs". Anime News Network. 2007-01-08. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-08/oricon-fans-want-l-char-aznable-spinoffs. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
- ^ Anime Insider. Vol. 48, Page 16
- ^ 10 Iconic Anime Heroines from Mania.com
- ^ Azumanga Daioh. Vol. 2, chapter July
External links
- Fujiko Mine in the Lupin III Encyclopedia
Lupin III by Monkey Punch Television series Lupin III (1971/72) • Lupin III Part II (Episodes - Season 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 - Greatest Capers) (1977/80) • Lupin III Part III (1984/85) • Television specialsFilms Mystery of Mamo (1978) • The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) • Legend of the Gold of Babylon (1985) • Farewell to Nostradamus (1995) • Dead or Alive (1996)Original video animations The Plot of the Fuma Clan • Return of the Magician • Green Vs. Red • Lupin the 3rd vs Detective ConanVideo games Cliff Hanger (1983) • Pandora no Isan (1987) • Densetsu No Hihou wo Oe! (1994) • Treasure of the Sorcerer King (2002) • Shijou Saidai no Zunousen (2010)Characters Related Soundtracks • Lupin (Philippines)Categories:- Lupin III characters
- Fictional Japanese people
- Fictional characters introduced in 1969
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