TV Special
Description
Goemon Ishikawa XIII, the thirteenth-generation descendant of historical renegade samurai Ishikawa Goemon, selectively joins Lupin III's heists based on personal interest and moral alignment, participating less frequently than Daisuke Jigen. Initially Lupin's adversary in manga lore, Lupin pursued him to steal alchemical secrets for impervious blades or gold-making. After repeated assassination failures—including hired killers and planted bombs—Goemon switched allegiance upon recognizing Lupin's mentorship value, solidified when Lupin aided his vengeance quest against his uncle's killer. Anime portrayals show recruitment through collaborative schemes against mutual enemies like Old Man Momochi, forging partnership via shared victories and respect.
He embodies traditional Japanese culture, donning kimono, hakama, zori, abdominal bandages, and fundoshi loincloth. His unevenly cut long hair defies conventional grooming. A natural resemblance to Lupin allows seamless impersonation. Kimono colors shift across series: light gray in Part 1, gray in Part 2, lavender in Part 3, pink in Part 4, off-white in Part 5, and light gray in Part 6. He occasionally wears a black kimono or sandogasa hat.
His personality balances immense pride in martial skill against deep shame over failures like breaking his sword Zantetsuken or succumbing to weakness, prompting meditation or rigorous training. He often meditates motionlessly, ignoring threats. Traditions dictate his diet: he exclusively eats Japanese cuisine, fasting rather than consuming foreign foods, and rages at wasted Japanese meals. He practices Buddhism and Shinto, favors sake over champagne, occasionally smokes a kiseru pipe, and enjoys enka music, fishing, and noh theater.
He distrusts technology, struggling with driving or smartphones in some depictions, though adaptability varies; he implicitly excels at games like Xevious. Typically aloof, he displays uncharacteristic frustration or fright for comedy. Women are his primary vulnerability: he naively trusts seemingly innocent women—leading to betrayal—but flees overt seduction, freezing or shutting his eyes at nudity. Fujiko Mine reinforces his belief that women merit protection but not trust. Other weaknesses include fierce protectiveness toward children—he avenges harmed youths and cannot ignore their pleas—and poor money management, falling for enlightenment scams and donating to dubious causes.
A master of Kenjutsu, Battōjutsu, Jujutsu, Aikido, and Karate, his signature sword Zantetsuken slices through bullets, steel, vehicles, and buildings. He prefers non-lethal tactics, disarming foes by cutting weapons or clothes, lamenting with his catchphrase: "Once again, I have cut a worthless object." He demonstrates breath control for deep dives and endures torture.
Within Lupin's gang, his bond with Lupin shifts from professional to loyal, though he opposes morally conflicting heists and vows to deliver Lupin's deathblow as a final duty. He shares mutual respect with Jigen, viewing him as an honorable warrior and reliable ally. Interactions with Fujiko Mine remain strained by distrust, though they cooperate without betrayal. He treats Inspector Zenigata with indifference yet occasionally protects or avenges him, hinting at underlying respect.
Notable connections include fleeting alliances with descendants like Nezumi Kozō Jirokichi IV, romances with police officer Qinxiao and childhood friend-turned-betrayer Kikyo, and clashes with clansmen like Sadachiyo the Scorpion. He nearly married Murasaki Suminawa but withdrew, feeling unworthy.
He embodies traditional Japanese culture, donning kimono, hakama, zori, abdominal bandages, and fundoshi loincloth. His unevenly cut long hair defies conventional grooming. A natural resemblance to Lupin allows seamless impersonation. Kimono colors shift across series: light gray in Part 1, gray in Part 2, lavender in Part 3, pink in Part 4, off-white in Part 5, and light gray in Part 6. He occasionally wears a black kimono or sandogasa hat.
His personality balances immense pride in martial skill against deep shame over failures like breaking his sword Zantetsuken or succumbing to weakness, prompting meditation or rigorous training. He often meditates motionlessly, ignoring threats. Traditions dictate his diet: he exclusively eats Japanese cuisine, fasting rather than consuming foreign foods, and rages at wasted Japanese meals. He practices Buddhism and Shinto, favors sake over champagne, occasionally smokes a kiseru pipe, and enjoys enka music, fishing, and noh theater.
He distrusts technology, struggling with driving or smartphones in some depictions, though adaptability varies; he implicitly excels at games like Xevious. Typically aloof, he displays uncharacteristic frustration or fright for comedy. Women are his primary vulnerability: he naively trusts seemingly innocent women—leading to betrayal—but flees overt seduction, freezing or shutting his eyes at nudity. Fujiko Mine reinforces his belief that women merit protection but not trust. Other weaknesses include fierce protectiveness toward children—he avenges harmed youths and cannot ignore their pleas—and poor money management, falling for enlightenment scams and donating to dubious causes.
A master of Kenjutsu, Battōjutsu, Jujutsu, Aikido, and Karate, his signature sword Zantetsuken slices through bullets, steel, vehicles, and buildings. He prefers non-lethal tactics, disarming foes by cutting weapons or clothes, lamenting with his catchphrase: "Once again, I have cut a worthless object." He demonstrates breath control for deep dives and endures torture.
Within Lupin's gang, his bond with Lupin shifts from professional to loyal, though he opposes morally conflicting heists and vows to deliver Lupin's deathblow as a final duty. He shares mutual respect with Jigen, viewing him as an honorable warrior and reliable ally. Interactions with Fujiko Mine remain strained by distrust, though they cooperate without betrayal. He treats Inspector Zenigata with indifference yet occasionally protects or avenges him, hinting at underlying respect.
Notable connections include fleeting alliances with descendants like Nezumi Kozō Jirokichi IV, romances with police officer Qinxiao and childhood friend-turned-betrayer Kikyo, and clashes with clansmen like Sadachiyo the Scorpion. He nearly married Murasaki Suminawa but withdrew, feeling unworthy.