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Cowboy Bebop Writer Sato, New Composer Join 2012 Lupin III

Anime episode writer Dai Satō (Cowboy Bebop, Eureka 7) and composer/musician Naruyoshi Kikuchi will be working on the recently announced Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, according to two separate announcements on Wednesday. Sato will be an episode writer on the 2012 series with series composition by Mari Okada (anohana, Black Butler, Gosick), and Kikuchi will produce both its opening theme as well as in-show music.

In addition to his script writing work for titles such as Eureka Seven, Cowboy Bebop, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Sato has recently been involved with the development of the Five Numbers! original animated video (OAV), and also wrote the screenplay for Tekken: Blood Vengeance.

Kikuchi is an active Japanese jazz musician, as well as the leader of the Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden band, which at one point featured Otomo Yoshihide, who has covered Lupin III songs in the past.

Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine will begin airing on April 4. Other staff and cast include Sayo Yamamoto (Michiko to Hatchin), who will direct the 13 episode series, making her the first female director on the Lupin III series. Redline director Takeshi Koike will serve as animation director and character designer. Kanichi Kurita will play Lupin, Kiyoshi Kobayashi will play Daisuke Jigen, Daisuke Namikawa will play Goemon Ishikawa, Miyuki Sawashiro will play Fujiko Mine, and Kouichi Yamadera will play Inspector Zenigata.

The series revolves around the character of Fujiko Mine, depicting her and the rest of the Lupin III cast during their younger days. The series will reportedly capture the "sensuality" present in Monkey Punch's original Lupin III manga in its "daring interpretation" of the franchise.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.

Source: Natalie via muhootsaver

Update: Singer-songwriter NIKIIE is contributing her new song "Duty Friend" for the ending theme.