TV Special
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII is the thirteenth-generation descendant of the historical Japanese bandit Ishikawa Goemon. He first appears in the manga as an enemy of Lupin III, hired to kill him after Lupin targets the formula for impervious sword blades. After repeated failures, Goemon allies with Lupin, believing he can learn from him, and becomes a recurring member of the gang.
He takes fierce pride in his martial prowess, especially swordsmanship, and feels deep shame upon failure or if his sword, Zantetsuken, is damaged. He frequently meditates, maintaining deep trance states even in peril. Adhering strictly to Japanese tradition, he wears a kimono and hakama, eats only Japanese cuisine, and practices Buddhism and Shinto, making him vulnerable to bribes involving Japanese food or appeals to honor his ancestors.
Goemon wields Zantetsuken, a sword that cleaves through virtually anything, including bullets, steel, and buildings. When using it non-lethally, he often states, "I have cut yet another worthless object." Despite his samurai identity, he received ninja training from a master named Jinen.
He is not a permanent gang member, joining Lupin only when a job aligns with his interests or morals. His loyalty to Lupin is complex; he disapproves of Lupin's womanizing and may oppose him on ethical grounds. He shares mutual respect with Jigen, frequently collaborating with him.
Women are a significant weakness. He readily trusts those appearing innocent, leading to frequent betrayals, yet flees overt seduction. He was engaged to Murasaki Suminawa in "The Plot of the Fuma Clan" but called off the marriage after rescuing her from kidnappers to focus on training. Betrayals by clan members, including childhood friends Kikyo and Sadachiyo, whom he killed in confrontations, mark his past.
In "The Hemingway Papers," drawn to rumors of an object impervious to his sword, Goemon arrives on the Mediterranean island of Colcaca. Hired as bodyguard for President Carlos, he is forced into staged duels with Jigen (working for rebel leader Consano). Both avoid harming each other; Goemon deliberately collapses scaffolding to aid their escape, highlighting his honor-bound nature and reluctance to fight allies.
He struggles with modern technology, unable to operate smartphones or vehicles in most iterations, though rare adaptations show adaptation. He feels compassion for children and will avenge harm done to them, another exploitable trait.
In spin-offs like "Goemon's Blood Spray," he serves as bodyguard for a yakuza boss, embarking on a quest for vengeance when the boss is murdered, showcasing his personal honor code outside the main group. His background of betrayals by clan and allies reinforces his isolated, duty-driven existence. He remains a traditionalist bound by Bushido principles, integrated into Lupin's world through mutual respect and selective collaboration.
He takes fierce pride in his martial prowess, especially swordsmanship, and feels deep shame upon failure or if his sword, Zantetsuken, is damaged. He frequently meditates, maintaining deep trance states even in peril. Adhering strictly to Japanese tradition, he wears a kimono and hakama, eats only Japanese cuisine, and practices Buddhism and Shinto, making him vulnerable to bribes involving Japanese food or appeals to honor his ancestors.
Goemon wields Zantetsuken, a sword that cleaves through virtually anything, including bullets, steel, and buildings. When using it non-lethally, he often states, "I have cut yet another worthless object." Despite his samurai identity, he received ninja training from a master named Jinen.
He is not a permanent gang member, joining Lupin only when a job aligns with his interests or morals. His loyalty to Lupin is complex; he disapproves of Lupin's womanizing and may oppose him on ethical grounds. He shares mutual respect with Jigen, frequently collaborating with him.
Women are a significant weakness. He readily trusts those appearing innocent, leading to frequent betrayals, yet flees overt seduction. He was engaged to Murasaki Suminawa in "The Plot of the Fuma Clan" but called off the marriage after rescuing her from kidnappers to focus on training. Betrayals by clan members, including childhood friends Kikyo and Sadachiyo, whom he killed in confrontations, mark his past.
In "The Hemingway Papers," drawn to rumors of an object impervious to his sword, Goemon arrives on the Mediterranean island of Colcaca. Hired as bodyguard for President Carlos, he is forced into staged duels with Jigen (working for rebel leader Consano). Both avoid harming each other; Goemon deliberately collapses scaffolding to aid their escape, highlighting his honor-bound nature and reluctance to fight allies.
He struggles with modern technology, unable to operate smartphones or vehicles in most iterations, though rare adaptations show adaptation. He feels compassion for children and will avenge harm done to them, another exploitable trait.
In spin-offs like "Goemon's Blood Spray," he serves as bodyguard for a yakuza boss, embarking on a quest for vengeance when the boss is murdered, showcasing his personal honor code outside the main group. His background of betrayals by clan and allies reinforces his isolated, duty-driven existence. He remains a traditionalist bound by Bushido principles, integrated into Lupin's world through mutual respect and selective collaboration.