TV Special
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII carries the legacy of his infamous bandit ancestor as the thirteenth generation. Initially assigned to eliminate Lupin III, repeated failures shift his view, recognizing Lupin as a mentor before permanently joining his gang. This evolution spans adaptations, featuring manipulation by Old Man Momochi against Lupin, a later alliance against a shared foe, and Lupin's unsuccessful bid to steal the secret of Goemon's sword formula. Their partnership cements with shared laughter after Lupin's car is sliced apart. An alternate origin depicts him seeking the Zantetsuken sword, clashing with Lupin, Jigen, and Fujiko as adversaries before uniting with them for survival, though its canonicity is ambiguous.
Intense pride in his swordsmanship defines him, matched by deep shame when his abilities falter or Zantetsuken breaks. He dedicates significant time to meditation, maintaining immobile focus even amidst danger. Deeply rooted in traditional Japanese culture, he consistently wears kimono and hakama, prefers Japanese cuisine and sake, enjoys enka music, and observes Buddhist and Shinto practices. These cultural ties create vulnerabilities; enemies exploit his love of Japanese food to trap him, and he falls for scams promising enlightenment. He distrusts modern technology, struggling with driving, smartphones, and cameras, though he occasionally adapts, using mobile phones or excelling at video games like Xeivoius.
Women present another significant weakness. He blushes or flees suggestive situations, fears training distractions, and readily trusts seemingly innocent women, often leading to betrayal. Experiences with Fujiko and Jigen's exes reinforce his belief that women require protection but not trust. He maintains religious celibacy, frequently admonishing Lupin about sinful relationships, though rare encounters challenge this stance. Additional vulnerabilities include compassion for children—he avenges harmed children and temporarily cares for one mistakenly thought to be his—and poor financial management, spending money on dubious enlightenment schemes or losing it to scams.
His martial prowess centers on kenjutsu and karate, with the Zantetsuken sword enabling him to cut through virtually any object. Failures or damage to the blade trigger profound shame. This drive to test Zantetsuken defines his role in "The Hemingway Papers," drawing him to the Mediterranean island of Colcaca after learning of a chest allegedly impervious to his sword. Hired as bodyguard for President Carlos, one of two warlords fighting a civil war over treasure linked to Ernest Hemingway's lost manuscript, he prioritizes finding and slicing the chest over his duties. This quest reunites him with Lupin and Jigen, though Jigen works for Carlos' rival, Consano. Forced into a duel by their employers, they stage a slap-fight to feign mutual knockout. Later, ordered to fight to the death, Goemon collapses their scaffolding to enable both to escape. His actions consistently prioritize personal honor and loyalty to his comrades over the war's objectives.
His appearance evolves across media but retains core traditional elements: kimono, hakama, zori sandals, bandaged abdomen, and long, uneven hair. Color schemes vary: Part 1 features light gray with black trim; Part 2 uses gray and bluish-gray; Part 3 shifts to lavender and purple; Part 4 introduces pink with black trim; Part 5 employs off-white with black trim; Part 6 returns to light gray with black trim. He occasionally wears special attire like a black kimono with white accents. Facial designs range from Lupin-like features in early works to a cleft chin in Part 3, a youthful look in Parts 4–5, and a more masculine appearance in Part 6. Skin tone occasionally varies, depicted as darker in works like the Pilot Film or "The Mystery of Mamo."
Intense pride in his swordsmanship defines him, matched by deep shame when his abilities falter or Zantetsuken breaks. He dedicates significant time to meditation, maintaining immobile focus even amidst danger. Deeply rooted in traditional Japanese culture, he consistently wears kimono and hakama, prefers Japanese cuisine and sake, enjoys enka music, and observes Buddhist and Shinto practices. These cultural ties create vulnerabilities; enemies exploit his love of Japanese food to trap him, and he falls for scams promising enlightenment. He distrusts modern technology, struggling with driving, smartphones, and cameras, though he occasionally adapts, using mobile phones or excelling at video games like Xeivoius.
Women present another significant weakness. He blushes or flees suggestive situations, fears training distractions, and readily trusts seemingly innocent women, often leading to betrayal. Experiences with Fujiko and Jigen's exes reinforce his belief that women require protection but not trust. He maintains religious celibacy, frequently admonishing Lupin about sinful relationships, though rare encounters challenge this stance. Additional vulnerabilities include compassion for children—he avenges harmed children and temporarily cares for one mistakenly thought to be his—and poor financial management, spending money on dubious enlightenment schemes or losing it to scams.
His martial prowess centers on kenjutsu and karate, with the Zantetsuken sword enabling him to cut through virtually any object. Failures or damage to the blade trigger profound shame. This drive to test Zantetsuken defines his role in "The Hemingway Papers," drawing him to the Mediterranean island of Colcaca after learning of a chest allegedly impervious to his sword. Hired as bodyguard for President Carlos, one of two warlords fighting a civil war over treasure linked to Ernest Hemingway's lost manuscript, he prioritizes finding and slicing the chest over his duties. This quest reunites him with Lupin and Jigen, though Jigen works for Carlos' rival, Consano. Forced into a duel by their employers, they stage a slap-fight to feign mutual knockout. Later, ordered to fight to the death, Goemon collapses their scaffolding to enable both to escape. His actions consistently prioritize personal honor and loyalty to his comrades over the war's objectives.
His appearance evolves across media but retains core traditional elements: kimono, hakama, zori sandals, bandaged abdomen, and long, uneven hair. Color schemes vary: Part 1 features light gray with black trim; Part 2 uses gray and bluish-gray; Part 3 shifts to lavender and purple; Part 4 introduces pink with black trim; Part 5 employs off-white with black trim; Part 6 returns to light gray with black trim. He occasionally wears special attire like a black kimono with white accents. Facial designs range from Lupin-like features in early works to a cleft chin in Part 3, a youthful look in Parts 4–5, and a more masculine appearance in Part 6. Skin tone occasionally varies, depicted as darker in works like the Pilot Film or "The Mystery of Mamo."