Lupin III (2015) 1
Not that I've really seen enough to make this call but this felt like classic Lupin with modern production values so here's hoping for the best.
Lupin III Part 2 - 1
I was thinking about the earlier conversation concerning the Lupin cast as I watched this one. It's neat for using a character from the first series (first episode even!) as the impetus to get the band back together after five years. Everyone feels like they're given a light re-introduction in this as Goemon is first shown demonstrating his combat skills, Jigen his marksmanship, and Fujiko taking advantage of the men fawning over her.
We even get a bit of the somewhat warm relationship between Zenigata and Lupin with the former being happy to see Lupin again. When the crew thinks Zenigata died later in the ep, they eulogize him and recognize it as an actual loss as the chase isn't quite the same without their pursuer. I'd seen some people question Zenigata's placement at the end of the 2015 show's OP but I thought it was natural given the alliances that have formed in the Lupin stuff I've seen as well as the affection shown by both parties to the hunt as well as one another. He might be on the other side of things but he's still family albeit the tag-along little brother. To add to that, that last bit looks like it's on a sound stage and is really reminiscent of a promotional cast photo more than anything so it's not entirely out of line for him to be there.
Lupin III Part 2 - 2
Long con reminiscent of the S1 prison ep crossed with
The Town. Also, I'm pretty sure Jesus blessed Lupin for being a bro.
Lupin III Part 2 - 3
Nothing really stood out about this one outside of the setting. I always forget there even was an East Germany at one point given how long it's been defunct now so seeing it and the Berlin Wall being so prominent in the ep was just strange given how far removed I am from it all.
Young Black Jack 1
Ugly as sin and it did the character a disservice by dancing around the medical stuff (bloodless surgery?!) but it wasn't bad, just really sort of average. Will continue and hope Takahashi's hand turn this into this year's
Gifu Dodou