It’s rare to call any film by Hayao Miyazaki underrated. As one of the most celebrated directors in animation history, even his lesser-known projects often eclipse the best work of others. But when it comes to Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, that description might actually apply. Released in 1979, the Castle of Cagliostro movie not only marked Miyazaki’s feature directorial debut, but also reshaped one of Japan’s most iconic characters in a way that redefined anime storytelling for decades to come.

While it predates Studio Ghibli by six years and doesn’t always make it into discussions about Miyazaki’s classics like Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro, The Castle of Cagliostro is essential viewing. It is the blueprint of his later work—filled with breathtaking landscapes, deeply human characters, philosophical undertones, and a unique blend of action, comedy, and heart. It’s a film that quietly yet powerfully signaled the arrival of a master storyteller.

Origins of the Castle of Cagliostro Movie and the Lupin III Legacy

Before directing The Castle of Cagliostro, Miyazaki had already been involved in the Lupin III universe. Alongside Isao Takahata, his future Ghibli co-founder, he worked on the original 1971 Lupin the Third anime adaptation. The series was based on the manga by Monkey Punch, a character-driven heist caper revolving around Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Maurice Leblanc’s legendary gentleman thief.

Lupin III was depicted as a chaotic mix of James Bond, slapstick comedy, and criminal genius. He drove Hitler’s favorite car, seduced women, and lived recklessly. But in the hands of Miyazaki, that version of Lupin was transformed. Miyazaki’s Lupin became more than a womanizer or thrill-seeker—he became a seeker of justice, a man on a path toward purpose, driven less by greed and more by idealism.

Miyazaki’s reimagining was so complete that he wrote an open letter to fans before the film’s release, explaining his choice to shift Lupin’s motivations. He saw Lupin not as a hedonist, but as a man longing to do the right thing—someone fighting to give his life meaning.

The Plot: Counterfeits, Castles, and a Captive Princess

The Castle of Cagliostro movie opens with a heist—Lupin and his sharp-shooting partner Jigen rob a high-end casino in Monaco, only to discover that their loot is counterfeit. Expert forgers had created nearly perfect copies of world currency. This leads the duo to the fictional European country of Cagliostro, where rumors of a legendary counterfeiting operation have long persisted.

Their investigation takes a dramatic turn when they rescue Clarisse, the princess of Cagliostro, from a forced marriage to the villainous Count. The Count not only controls the counterfeit operation, but is also attempting to solidify his power by marrying into royal legitimacy. Clarisse holds the key to unlocking a hidden treasure, tied to ancient secrets buried beneath the castle walls.

The film becomes a dynamic blend of political intrigue, daring heists, and classic adventure as Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, Fujiko, and even the relentless Inspector Zenigata find themselves in a race against time to save Clarisse, expose the Count, and reveal the truth behind the treasure of Cagliostro.

Visual and Thematic Foundations of Miyazaki’s Career

What makes the Castle of Cagliostro movie so striking, even over four decades later, is how much of Miyazaki’s signature vision is already present. It may be his first feature film, but it shows the hand of a director fully in command of his craft.

The Art of Movement

The car chase early in the film remains one of the most exhilarating sequences in animation history. Lupin’s tiny yellow Fiat 500, hurtling through winding roads and across rooftops, showcases Miyazaki’s unparalleled understanding of motion. Every frame breathes energy, and the physics of Lupin’s wild maneuvers feel real even as they defy reality.

Lush Backgrounds and Mechanical Fascination

The hand-painted landscapes, inspired by Europe’s countryside and medieval architecture, evoke a romanticized world known in Japan as akogare no Paris—the Paris of dreams. Towering castles, ancient aqueducts, deep blue lakes, and winding roads create a setting that is simultaneously real and fantastical. This European aesthetic would become a recurring backdrop in films like Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

The film also features an array of machines: flying contraptions, vintage cars, gears and clock towers. Miyazaki’s obsession with mechanical design is clear here, and it would grow stronger in later films like Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Porco Rosso.

The Quiet Moments

While the action sequences are stunning, it’s the quiet interludes that show Miyazaki’s sensitivity to storytelling. He often speaks of ma, a Japanese concept referring to the space between events—the pause that gives meaning. In Castle of Cagliostro, we find these moments in the conversations between friends, in Lupin and Jigen’s journey through green hills, in Clarisse’s silent vigil in the tower. These scenes allow characters to breathe, reflect, and connect.

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Character Redesigns and Tone Shift: From Monkey Punch to Miyazaki

Monkey Punch’s original manga style was wild, exaggerated, and full of eroticism and satire. For Castle of Cagliostro, Miyazaki adapted the character designs into something softer, more emotionally resonant. Lupin’s usual hard-edged persona was rounded out. He became someone audiences could cheer for not just because he was clever, but because he cared.

Clarisse, the princess, stands as a prototype for future Miyazaki heroines. Though more passive than characters like Nausicaä or San, she embodies innocence, compassion, and an inner strength that deeply affects Lupin.

The Count, meanwhile, is a ruthless bureaucrat with imperial ambitions—driven more by greed and control than outright madness. His villainy is grounded in reality, making him a more believable threat. The film’s final fight in the castle clock tower is both thrilling and tragic, echoing fairy tale battles while highlighting the physical limitations of even the most skilled hero.

Cultural Influences: From Tintin to French Animation

Miyazaki’s inspirations for Castle of Cagliostro came from many sources. The ligne claire art style of Franco-Belgian comics—most famously The Adventures of Tintin—influenced the clean lines and storytelling structure. French animator Paul Grimault’s unfinished Le Roi et l’Oiseau was another visual and tonal influence, so much so that Miyazaki and his team reportedly studied the film frame-by-frame.

The idea of a hero rescuing a princess from a castle tower may seem clichéd today, but under Miyazaki’s direction, it becomes more mythic than trope-driven. The film isn’t parodying fairy tales—it’s honoring them, using their structure to elevate character over formula.

Production Constraints and Creative Triumphs

It’s astonishing to learn that Castle of Cagliostro was produced in just four months. Most animated features of its scope require years. Yet despite the compressed schedule, the film feels polished, coherent, and meticulously crafted.

Much of that credit goes to the team Miyazaki assembled—artists who would later go on to form the backbone of Studio Ghibli. Backgrounds were painted by future Totoro and Akira collaborators, while the music, composed by Yuji Ohno, added a jazzy, romantic tone that matched the Lupin aesthetic beautifully.

Even though Joe Hisaishi wouldn’t enter Miyazaki’s world until Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Ohno’s score gives Castle of Cagliostro a distinct identity that blends well with the film’s rhythm.

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Reception and Reassessment: From Box Office Flop to Cult Classic

Despite its current acclaim, The Castle of Cagliostro was not a commercial success upon its release in 1979. Fans of the manga found Miyazaki’s version of Lupin too soft. Critics were unsure how to interpret its blend of action, romance, and philosophical overtones. The general public didn’t show up in theaters.

But over the years, the film found its audience. International releases, especially in Europe and the United States, led to renewed interest. Animators like John Lasseter of Pixar cited it as a major influence. Roger Ebert praised its sense of craft and visual beauty. Its inclusion in film retrospectives, Blu-ray reissues, and academic studies eventually cemented its reputation as one of the most important animated films of the 20th century.

The Legacy of Castle of Cagliostro in Miyazaki’s Career

Though Miyazaki himself has expressed mixed feelings about the film, calling it a “clearance sale” of his ideas up to that point, the influence of Castle of Cagliostro on his later work is undeniable.

The themes—anti-authoritarianism, love of nature, innocence in the face of corruption—reappear in Nausicaä, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. The mechanical designs evolve into flying machines and massive fortresses. Even the pacing—the dance between action and reflection—becomes a Ghibli hallmark.

Most importantly, Castle of Cagliostro gave Miyazaki confidence. Its creative success helped him transition away from adapting others’ characters toward creating his own fully realized worlds. Without this film, Studio Ghibli as we know it might never have existed.

Conclusion

The Castle of Cagliostro movie is more than an early Miyazaki film or a Lupin III spinoff. It is a formative work of animated cinema—an adventurous, heartfelt, beautifully drawn story that introduced the world to a filmmaker with a singular vision. Though it didn’t achieve instant success, time has proven its lasting worth.

Today, The Castle of Cagliostro is viewed not only as a cult classic but also as the starting point of a career that would redefine global animation. Its rich detail, emotional sincerity, and bold reinterpretation of iconic characters make it essential viewing for anyone interested in anime, storytelling, or the early seeds of Studio Ghibli.

FAQs

Is Castle of Cagliostro part of Studio Ghibli?
No. It was released in 1979, six years before Studio Ghibli was founded. However, it marks Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial debut and influenced his later Ghibli films.

Do I need to watch other Lupin III films before Castle of Cagliostro?
Not at all. The film works as a standalone story, introducing the characters in a way that’s accessible for newcomers.

Is Castle of Cagliostro suitable for kids?
Generally, yes. It’s rated PG and contains mild action, but no graphic violence or adult themes.

What makes Castle of Cagliostro different from other Lupin III stories?
Miyazaki reimagined Lupin as more heroic and idealistic, toning down the more risqué elements of the original manga.

Where does Castle of Cagliostro rank among Miyazaki’s films?
Though not as widely known as his Ghibli films, many fans and critics consider it a hidden gem and a crucial part of his filmography.

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