TV Special
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth-generation descendant of the historical Japanese bandit Ishikawa Goemon. Created to introduce a distinctly traditional Japanese character, he draws inspiration from Kyūzō in Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai," influencing his stern demeanor, swordsmanship, and long-faced appearance.
Initially Lupin III's adversary in the manga, Goemon wages a relentless pursuit after Fujiko Mine, then his girlfriend, exposes Lupin's attempt to steal his clan's secret formula for impervious blades. He employs assassins, martial artists, and explosives against Lupin. His allegiance shifts when Lupin aids him in avenging his uncle's death, leading Goemon to join Lupin's gang to learn from him. Their mutual trust solidifies by the second manga series, exemplified when Goemon endures torture without betraying Lupin, confident in rescue.
In anime, Goemon's relationship with Lupin evolves from professional collaboration to genuine loyalty, though he frequently challenges Lupin's morally ambiguous heists or womanizing. He maintains a closer bond with Daisuke Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior; their partnership often involves reining in Lupin's excesses or undertaking missions together. Goemon wields the sword Zantetsuken (or Ryusei), capable of cutting bullets, steel, vehicles, and buildings. He prefers non-lethal methods, disabling opponents by slicing weapons or clothing, afterward stating his signature phrase: "I have cut yet another worthless object" (Mata tsumaranu mono o kitte shimatta). Failures, like breaking Zantetsuken or losing it to a woman, cause intense shame, prompting retreat for meditation or training.
His personality blends stoicism with eccentricities. He rigidly adheres to Japanese traditions: wearing a kimono, hakama, and fundoshi loincloth; consuming only Japanese cuisine; practicing Buddhism and Shinto; and favoring enka music, sake, and kiseru pipes. He meditates deeply, often remaining immovable even during crises. Though typically aloof, he displays outbursts of frustration, rare fright, or awkwardness around women—blushing or fleeing when confronted with immodesty. This susceptibility leads him to trust seemingly innocent women, often resulting in betrayal. Additional weaknesses include vulnerability to Japanese food bribes, scams promising enlightenment, and poor money management, such as donating funds to fraudulent cults.
Beyond swordsmanship, Goemon masters martial arts like jujutsu, aikido, and karate, enabling him to defeat multiple attackers unarmed. Part 2, Episode 21 reveals ninja training, contextualizing his acceptance of theft despite samurai ethics. He struggles with technology, unable to drive or use smartphones in some media, though exceptions exist (e.g., video game proficiency). He is protective of children and reveres his ancestors, collaborating with Lupin to steal artifacts related to his lineage.
In "Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary," Goemon participates in a vintage car race from Madrid to Paris, aiding Lupin's quest to win Napoleon's dictionary—believed to reveal the Lupin family treasure's location, contributing to the team's efforts amid competition. Later media, like "The Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa," depict his unwavering honor code. After failing to protect a yakuza boss from the assassin Hawk, he undertakes grueling training to awaken his "sixth sense," predicting opponents' moves to ultimately defeat Hawk.
Physically, Goemon is 180 cm tall and weighs 63 kg, with long, unevenly cut hair. His kimono and hakama colors vary: light gray in Part 1, gray in Part 2, lavender in Part III, pink in Part 4, off-white in Part 5, and light gray in Part 6.
Initially Lupin III's adversary in the manga, Goemon wages a relentless pursuit after Fujiko Mine, then his girlfriend, exposes Lupin's attempt to steal his clan's secret formula for impervious blades. He employs assassins, martial artists, and explosives against Lupin. His allegiance shifts when Lupin aids him in avenging his uncle's death, leading Goemon to join Lupin's gang to learn from him. Their mutual trust solidifies by the second manga series, exemplified when Goemon endures torture without betraying Lupin, confident in rescue.
In anime, Goemon's relationship with Lupin evolves from professional collaboration to genuine loyalty, though he frequently challenges Lupin's morally ambiguous heists or womanizing. He maintains a closer bond with Daisuke Jigen, viewing him as a fellow honorable warrior; their partnership often involves reining in Lupin's excesses or undertaking missions together. Goemon wields the sword Zantetsuken (or Ryusei), capable of cutting bullets, steel, vehicles, and buildings. He prefers non-lethal methods, disabling opponents by slicing weapons or clothing, afterward stating his signature phrase: "I have cut yet another worthless object" (Mata tsumaranu mono o kitte shimatta). Failures, like breaking Zantetsuken or losing it to a woman, cause intense shame, prompting retreat for meditation or training.
His personality blends stoicism with eccentricities. He rigidly adheres to Japanese traditions: wearing a kimono, hakama, and fundoshi loincloth; consuming only Japanese cuisine; practicing Buddhism and Shinto; and favoring enka music, sake, and kiseru pipes. He meditates deeply, often remaining immovable even during crises. Though typically aloof, he displays outbursts of frustration, rare fright, or awkwardness around women—blushing or fleeing when confronted with immodesty. This susceptibility leads him to trust seemingly innocent women, often resulting in betrayal. Additional weaknesses include vulnerability to Japanese food bribes, scams promising enlightenment, and poor money management, such as donating funds to fraudulent cults.
Beyond swordsmanship, Goemon masters martial arts like jujutsu, aikido, and karate, enabling him to defeat multiple attackers unarmed. Part 2, Episode 21 reveals ninja training, contextualizing his acceptance of theft despite samurai ethics. He struggles with technology, unable to drive or use smartphones in some media, though exceptions exist (e.g., video game proficiency). He is protective of children and reveres his ancestors, collaborating with Lupin to steal artifacts related to his lineage.
In "Lupin the 3rd: Napoleon's Dictionary," Goemon participates in a vintage car race from Madrid to Paris, aiding Lupin's quest to win Napoleon's dictionary—believed to reveal the Lupin family treasure's location, contributing to the team's efforts amid competition. Later media, like "The Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa," depict his unwavering honor code. After failing to protect a yakuza boss from the assassin Hawk, he undertakes grueling training to awaken his "sixth sense," predicting opponents' moves to ultimately defeat Hawk.
Physically, Goemon is 180 cm tall and weighs 63 kg, with long, unevenly cut hair. His kimono and hakama colors vary: light gray in Part 1, gray in Part 2, lavender in Part III, pink in Part 4, off-white in Part 5, and light gray in Part 6.