Kogoro Akechi in the anime Lupin III: Secret Files is the animated debut of the legendary detective originally created by Japanese mystery author Edogawa Ranpo. In this OVA, which compiles the franchise's first pilot film, Akechi is presented as a famous retired detective who remains active in his pursuit of master criminals. His role in the story is that of a direct adversary to Arsène Lupin III, tracking the thief during the theft of a microfilm and attempting to bring him to justice. Akechi's personality is defined by his sharp intellect, unwavering sense of duty, and a calm, observant demeanor that has not dulled with age. His primary motivation is the relentless pursuit of justice and the intellectual stimulation of matching wits with a worthy opponent, a trait that allows him to appreciate Lupin's cleverness even while working to stop him. Akechi's most notable ability is his exceptional power of observation and deduction; in the pilot film he demonstrates this by being the sole individual to see through one of Lupin's disguises, detecting the thief through a specific behavioral detail. His key relationship within the narrative is his adversarial connection to Lupin III, positioning him as an early template for the authority figures who pursue the protagonist. In terms of development, Akechi is a significant artifact of the franchise's origins. He appeared in the first Lupin III manga chapter and the pilot film, but was subsequently phased out of the main series, with Inspector Koichi Zenigata taking over the role of Lupin's primary law enforcement pursuer. His appearance in Secret Files represents a bridge between classic Japanese detective fiction and the action-comedy world of Lupin III, offering a unique glimpse into the original vision for the series before its core cast and dynamics were fully established.