TV Special
Description
In the anime special Lupin III: Episode 0 First Contact, Daisuke Jigen is portrayed during an earlier chapter of his life before becoming the partner of Arsène Lupin III. At the time of the story, Jigen is a professional gunman working as a bodyguard and enforcer for a powerful Mafia boss named Galvez in New York. His life during this period is described as calm, uninteresting, and lacking any real challenge or spark, despite the good money and freedom his position affords him. This version of Jigen serves as a definitive prequel take on the character, showing how he transitioned from a mob hitman to a master thief’s trusted ally.
Personality-wise, the Jigen seen in First Contact is noticeably more reserved, surly, and professional than his later, more relaxed persona. He is cold and dismissive, particularly toward Lupin, whom he initially finds to be an irritating buffoon. He carries himself with a no-nonsense attitude and takes his job as a trigger-man very seriously, showing little patience for theatrics. However, a recurring visual motif shows Lupin attempting to light Jigen’s cigarette, which Jigen constantly refuses by spitting it out, turning away, or swatting Lupin’s hand aside, symbolizing his initial refusal to form any bond. Despite his gruff exterior, he possesses a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, and a key moment in his development occurs when he finally lets his guard down and laughs genuinely at one of Lupin’s tricks.
Jigen’s primary motivation throughout the story is initially professional obligation: he is a hired gun meant to protect the Cram of Hermes treasure for the Mafia and eliminate the intruder Lupin. However, underneath this is a subtle yearning for something more stimulating than his routine existence. As he repeatedly clashes with Lupin, he finds the thief to be a worthy opponent, and his motivation shifts from fulfilling a contract to reassessing his own path. His actions are driven by a code of professionalism, but he eventually chooses excitement and mutual respect over mere obedience to his corrupt employer.
Within the story, Jigen serves as the primary obstacle and initial antagonist to Lupin’s theft of the Cram of Hermes. He is the Don’s top bodyguard, and his deadly marksmanship makes him a serious threat. As the plot unfolds, his role transforms from adversary to temporary reluctant ally, and finally to permanent partner. The narrative of the special is framed as Jigen recounting this very tale to a reporter, placing him as the emotional anchor and narrator of the origin story.
The most significant relationship arc is with Lupin. Their dynamic begins with antagonism: Jigen is hired to stop Lupin, but Lupin is immediately fascinated by Jigen’s skills. A major thematic thread involves Lupin’s persistent attempts to befriend Jigen and Jigen’s refusal to reciprocate. The turning point occurs when Lupin rescues Jigen from execution, proving his worth and breaking down Jigen’s walls. By the finale, Jigen willingly comes to Lupin’s aid, solidifying the partnership that defines the franchise. Regarding Fujiko Mine, Jigen is completely immune to her charms. In one notable scene, she attempts to seduce him by dropping a towel, but he remains stone-faced, using the barrel of his gun to hold the towel up and reject her advance. This establishes the long-running mutual distrust between them. Jigen also has a brief but pivotal confrontation with Goemon Ishikawa before the group unites.
Jigen undergoes a clear character arc from isolation to partnership. He starts as a lone wolf mercenary who trusts no one and works only for a paycheck. Through his interactions with Lupin, who continuously saves him and treats him as an equal rather than a tool, Jigen learns to loosen his rigid demeanor. The climax shows his development is complete when he laughs openly at a villain’s humiliation—a moment of genuine levity that contrasts sharply with his earlier stoicism—and officially becomes Lupin’s partner in crime.
Regarding notable abilities, Jigen is established as an unparalleled marksman even in this early stage. He possesses a superhumanly fast quick-draw and devastating accuracy. His preferred weapon is a Smith & Wesson revolver, which he carries in a holster at the small of his back. He is proficient in various firearms, though his handgun is his signature tool. In First Contact, his skills are displayed not only in gunfights but also in driving and tactical awareness, proving he is a competent all-around operative even before fully teaming up with Lupin.
Personality-wise, the Jigen seen in First Contact is noticeably more reserved, surly, and professional than his later, more relaxed persona. He is cold and dismissive, particularly toward Lupin, whom he initially finds to be an irritating buffoon. He carries himself with a no-nonsense attitude and takes his job as a trigger-man very seriously, showing little patience for theatrics. However, a recurring visual motif shows Lupin attempting to light Jigen’s cigarette, which Jigen constantly refuses by spitting it out, turning away, or swatting Lupin’s hand aside, symbolizing his initial refusal to form any bond. Despite his gruff exterior, he possesses a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, and a key moment in his development occurs when he finally lets his guard down and laughs genuinely at one of Lupin’s tricks.
Jigen’s primary motivation throughout the story is initially professional obligation: he is a hired gun meant to protect the Cram of Hermes treasure for the Mafia and eliminate the intruder Lupin. However, underneath this is a subtle yearning for something more stimulating than his routine existence. As he repeatedly clashes with Lupin, he finds the thief to be a worthy opponent, and his motivation shifts from fulfilling a contract to reassessing his own path. His actions are driven by a code of professionalism, but he eventually chooses excitement and mutual respect over mere obedience to his corrupt employer.
Within the story, Jigen serves as the primary obstacle and initial antagonist to Lupin’s theft of the Cram of Hermes. He is the Don’s top bodyguard, and his deadly marksmanship makes him a serious threat. As the plot unfolds, his role transforms from adversary to temporary reluctant ally, and finally to permanent partner. The narrative of the special is framed as Jigen recounting this very tale to a reporter, placing him as the emotional anchor and narrator of the origin story.
The most significant relationship arc is with Lupin. Their dynamic begins with antagonism: Jigen is hired to stop Lupin, but Lupin is immediately fascinated by Jigen’s skills. A major thematic thread involves Lupin’s persistent attempts to befriend Jigen and Jigen’s refusal to reciprocate. The turning point occurs when Lupin rescues Jigen from execution, proving his worth and breaking down Jigen’s walls. By the finale, Jigen willingly comes to Lupin’s aid, solidifying the partnership that defines the franchise. Regarding Fujiko Mine, Jigen is completely immune to her charms. In one notable scene, she attempts to seduce him by dropping a towel, but he remains stone-faced, using the barrel of his gun to hold the towel up and reject her advance. This establishes the long-running mutual distrust between them. Jigen also has a brief but pivotal confrontation with Goemon Ishikawa before the group unites.
Jigen undergoes a clear character arc from isolation to partnership. He starts as a lone wolf mercenary who trusts no one and works only for a paycheck. Through his interactions with Lupin, who continuously saves him and treats him as an equal rather than a tool, Jigen learns to loosen his rigid demeanor. The climax shows his development is complete when he laughs openly at a villain’s humiliation—a moment of genuine levity that contrasts sharply with his earlier stoicism—and officially becomes Lupin’s partner in crime.
Regarding notable abilities, Jigen is established as an unparalleled marksman even in this early stage. He possesses a superhumanly fast quick-draw and devastating accuracy. His preferred weapon is a Smith & Wesson revolver, which he carries in a holster at the small of his back. He is proficient in various firearms, though his handgun is his signature tool. In First Contact, his skills are displayed not only in gunfights but also in driving and tactical awareness, proving he is a competent all-around operative even before fully teaming up with Lupin.