TV Special
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth-generation descendant of the historical Japanese bandit Ishikawa Goemon, inheriting a legacy of rebellion and skill. He operates as a modern-day rōnin and thief. His signature weapon is the Zantetsuken, a sword forged from meteoritic metal that cuts through virtually any material, including steel girders, vehicles, and even bullets. After cutting inanimate objects—which he deems beneath the blade—he often remarks, "Once again, I have cut a worthless object." He cannot cut konnyaku jelly, as the sticky substance traps the blade.
Originally, Goemon was an adversary of Lupin III. In the manga, Lupin targeted him to steal either a formula for unbreakable swords or a method for producing gold. After multiple failed assassination attempts against Lupin—including hiring Daisuke Jigen—Goemon switched sides, believing Lupin could teach him valuable skills. In the anime, his master Momochi manipulated him into targeting Lupin as part of a scheme to eliminate both. After Lupin and Goemon outwitted Momochi, their mutual respect solidified into partnership. The "First Contact" TV special further explores this shift, depicting their alliance forming during a quest for the Zantetsuken, though this origin's place in continuity is unclear.
Goemon embodies austere samurai principles, prioritizing honor, meditation, and discipline. He dresses exclusively in traditional Japanese attire like kimono and hakama, consuming only Japanese cuisine, drinking sake, and practicing Buddhism and Shinto. He possesses intense pride in his martial abilities; failures or weaknesses, such as breaking the Zantetsuken or succumbing to distractions, trigger deep shame, often leading him to retreat for meditation or training. He is highly stoic and reserved, though occasional outbursts of frustration, fear, or tearful remorse occur for comedic effect.
Despite his combat prowess, Goemon has significant vulnerabilities. He is easily deceived by women, reacting to flirtation or immodesty with blushing, avoidance, or freezing in place. This extends to misplaced trust in seemingly innocent women, frequently resulting in betrayal. He is susceptible to scams promising enlightenment and is poor with money, often squandering earnings on dubious spiritual schemes. He also struggles with modern technology like smartphones or car pedals, though rare instances show him using mobile phones or excelling at video games. His compassion for children is another weakness; he fiercely avenges harmed children and cannot ignore their pleas.
Martially, Goemon masters kenjutsu, battōjutsu, jujutsu, aikido, and karate. His swordsmanship allows him to incapacitate opponents non-lethally by destroying their weapons or clothing, reflecting his preference to avoid killing. He possesses ninja training, revealed during a visit to his Iga-ryū sensei, which contextualizes his acceptance of theft despite samurai values. Beyond combat, he enjoys fishing, noh theater, enka music, and martial arts competitions.
Within Lupin's gang, Goemon maintains a professional yet loyal dynamic. He is frequently annoyed by Lupin's hedonism, particularly his womanizing, and has vowed to deliver Lupin's killing blow someday—a promise underscoring their complex bond. His relationship with Jigen is more amicable, rooted in mutual warrior respect, while his distrust of Fujiko Mine stems from her manipulative nature, though he aids her when necessary. His participation in heists is often situational, driven by personal interest or moral alignment.
Originally, Goemon was an adversary of Lupin III. In the manga, Lupin targeted him to steal either a formula for unbreakable swords or a method for producing gold. After multiple failed assassination attempts against Lupin—including hiring Daisuke Jigen—Goemon switched sides, believing Lupin could teach him valuable skills. In the anime, his master Momochi manipulated him into targeting Lupin as part of a scheme to eliminate both. After Lupin and Goemon outwitted Momochi, their mutual respect solidified into partnership. The "First Contact" TV special further explores this shift, depicting their alliance forming during a quest for the Zantetsuken, though this origin's place in continuity is unclear.
Goemon embodies austere samurai principles, prioritizing honor, meditation, and discipline. He dresses exclusively in traditional Japanese attire like kimono and hakama, consuming only Japanese cuisine, drinking sake, and practicing Buddhism and Shinto. He possesses intense pride in his martial abilities; failures or weaknesses, such as breaking the Zantetsuken or succumbing to distractions, trigger deep shame, often leading him to retreat for meditation or training. He is highly stoic and reserved, though occasional outbursts of frustration, fear, or tearful remorse occur for comedic effect.
Despite his combat prowess, Goemon has significant vulnerabilities. He is easily deceived by women, reacting to flirtation or immodesty with blushing, avoidance, or freezing in place. This extends to misplaced trust in seemingly innocent women, frequently resulting in betrayal. He is susceptible to scams promising enlightenment and is poor with money, often squandering earnings on dubious spiritual schemes. He also struggles with modern technology like smartphones or car pedals, though rare instances show him using mobile phones or excelling at video games. His compassion for children is another weakness; he fiercely avenges harmed children and cannot ignore their pleas.
Martially, Goemon masters kenjutsu, battōjutsu, jujutsu, aikido, and karate. His swordsmanship allows him to incapacitate opponents non-lethally by destroying their weapons or clothing, reflecting his preference to avoid killing. He possesses ninja training, revealed during a visit to his Iga-ryū sensei, which contextualizes his acceptance of theft despite samurai values. Beyond combat, he enjoys fishing, noh theater, enka music, and martial arts competitions.
Within Lupin's gang, Goemon maintains a professional yet loyal dynamic. He is frequently annoyed by Lupin's hedonism, particularly his womanizing, and has vowed to deliver Lupin's killing blow someday—a promise underscoring their complex bond. His relationship with Jigen is more amicable, rooted in mutual warrior respect, while his distrust of Fujiko Mine stems from her manipulative nature, though he aids her when necessary. His participation in heists is often situational, driven by personal interest or moral alignment.