TV Special
Description
Daisuke Jigen stands as a skilled gunman and the fiercely loyal partner to master thief Arsène Lupin III. Consistently portrayed as a pragmatic professional, he possesses exceptional marksmanship abilities. His background shifts across official media, often involving past associations with American and Italian organized crime before joining Lupin's crew. The original manga introduces him as a cynical hitman hired to assassinate Lupin, sparking an uneasy alliance that evolves into partnership despite initial betrayals. Later anime adaptations establish his work for New York and Italian mafia groups, featuring a defining incident with Cicciolina—his mob boss's wife. Jigen assumed blame for her accidental killing of her husband to protect her, an event precipitating his departure from mob life.
His expertise centers on firearms proficiency, notably achieving a 0.3-second quick draw with his signature Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolver, alongside expertise with diverse weapons like sniper rifles and anti-tank weaponry. Jigen's appearance is defined by a broad-brimmed fedora that typically obscures his eyes, complemented by dark suits and an unkempt beard; he often uses his hat for aiming during combat.
Personality-wise, Jigen exhibits a gruff exterior, quick temper, and deep distrust of women rooted in traumatic romantic betrayals and losses throughout his history. Despite this, he demonstrates dry humor and unwavering loyalty to Lupin, frequently serving as the voice of reason during heists. His backstory in *The Woman Called Fujiko Mine* depicts him as a disillusioned mercenary and sniper prior to meeting Lupin, highlighting his moral ambiguity and eventual rejection of killing as a profession.
In *Lupin III: Voyage to Danger*, Jigen participates in stealing a Russian nuclear submarine to infiltrate the arms-dealing group Shot Shell. During this operation, he encounters Karen Korinsky, a physicist whose father he killed a decade earlier, leading to her attempts at revenge against him. This storyline reflects recurring narrative elements where figures from Jigen's violent past resurface, forcing confrontations that explore themes of guilt and redemption.
His development across media shows progression from a self-interested mercenary to Lupin's steadfast right-hand man. Numerous episodes and specials explore his relationships and history, including encounters with former associates, unresolved romances, and moral dilemmas testing his code against killing women and children. His dynamic with Lupin is characterized by deep mutual trust, nonverbal communication during missions, and occasional physical conflicts underscoring their complex bond.
Jigen's personal habits include chain-smoking cigarettes (preferring Pall Mall or Marlboro brands), heavy drinking with high alcohol tolerance, and interests in spaghetti westerns, boxing matches, and American cuisine. He avoids classical music in select episodes, though the reasons remain unspecified.
His expertise centers on firearms proficiency, notably achieving a 0.3-second quick draw with his signature Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolver, alongside expertise with diverse weapons like sniper rifles and anti-tank weaponry. Jigen's appearance is defined by a broad-brimmed fedora that typically obscures his eyes, complemented by dark suits and an unkempt beard; he often uses his hat for aiming during combat.
Personality-wise, Jigen exhibits a gruff exterior, quick temper, and deep distrust of women rooted in traumatic romantic betrayals and losses throughout his history. Despite this, he demonstrates dry humor and unwavering loyalty to Lupin, frequently serving as the voice of reason during heists. His backstory in *The Woman Called Fujiko Mine* depicts him as a disillusioned mercenary and sniper prior to meeting Lupin, highlighting his moral ambiguity and eventual rejection of killing as a profession.
In *Lupin III: Voyage to Danger*, Jigen participates in stealing a Russian nuclear submarine to infiltrate the arms-dealing group Shot Shell. During this operation, he encounters Karen Korinsky, a physicist whose father he killed a decade earlier, leading to her attempts at revenge against him. This storyline reflects recurring narrative elements where figures from Jigen's violent past resurface, forcing confrontations that explore themes of guilt and redemption.
His development across media shows progression from a self-interested mercenary to Lupin's steadfast right-hand man. Numerous episodes and specials explore his relationships and history, including encounters with former associates, unresolved romances, and moral dilemmas testing his code against killing women and children. His dynamic with Lupin is characterized by deep mutual trust, nonverbal communication during missions, and occasional physical conflicts underscoring their complex bond.
Jigen's personal habits include chain-smoking cigarettes (preferring Pall Mall or Marlboro brands), heavy drinking with high alcohol tolerance, and interests in spaghetti westerns, boxing matches, and American cuisine. He avoids classical music in select episodes, though the reasons remain unspecified.