Before he co-founded the legendary Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki made his directorial debut in 1979 with the thrilling animated heist film, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. Both written and directed by Miyazaki, this cinematic gem is based on the popular Lupin III manga series from the 1960s. It’s widely celebrated as a landmark in animation, having significantly influenced a new era of animated filmmaking in both Japan and the US. Fans will be excited to hear that this iconic movie is receiving a brand-new, limited-edition steelbook Blu-ray release on December 12. This special edition boasts crisper video quality and an array of enticing special features. You can secure your copy of Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray for $50.
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray Special Features
- Full-length original storyboards
- Exclusive interviews with the cast and crew
- An insightful commentary track featuring Reed Nelson
- A comprehensive art gallery
- Collection of original trailers
- Original opening and ending credits
- Detailed translation notes
- Previously unreleased storyboard opening
While this new steelbook edition is certainly a fantastic collector’s item, it’s worth noting that it’s not the only way to own Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. A stunning 4K version was released in 2021. Opting for the 4K release means you’ll miss the exclusive steelbook case, but it still offers a pristine 4K presentation, reversible cover art, a slipcover, and all the same special features found in this new edition.
This film, adapted from the beloved manga by Kazuhiko Katō, plunges viewers into an adventure with the notorious thief Lupin III and his trusted accomplice, Daisuke Jigen. Their latest escapade involves tracing the origin of counterfeit money after a daring heist, quickly entangling them in a larger plot to save a distressed princess and uncover a legendary treasure. Despite being nearly five decades old, the movie’s charm remains undiminished. Its distinctive stylized animation, exhilarating action sequences, and the profound artistic sensibility that would later define Miyazaki’s masterpieces at Studio Ghibli have ensured its timeless appeal. The Castle of Cagliostro is celebrated as one of the greatest adventure films ever made, a testament to its enduring influence on renowned directors like Steven Spielberg and Pixar’s John Lasseter.
Studio Ghibli Blu-ray Steelbooks
Miyazaki’s other Studio Ghibli films continue to captivate audiences with their outstanding production values and recurring themes of environmentalism, magic, and the futility of conflict. For those looking to expand their collection, here’s a roundup of recent steelbook Blu-ray releases for Miyazaki’s films and other beloved Studio Ghibli projects:
- Spirited Away: Steelbook Edition
- Ponyo: Steelbook Edition
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya: Steelbook Edition
- Howl’s Moving Castle: Steelbook Edition
- Kiki’s Delivery Service: Steelbook Edition
- My Neighbor Totoro: Steelbook Edition
- Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: Steelbook Edition
- Porco Rosso: Steelbook Edition
- The Secret World of Arrietty: Steelbook Edition
- From Up on Poppy Hill: Steelbook Edition
- When Marnie Was There: Steelbook Edition
- Princess Mononoke: Steelbook Edition
- The Wind Rises: Steelbook Edition
- Earwig and the Witch: Steelbook Edition
- Grave of the Fireflies: Steelbook Edition
- Only Yesterday: Steelbook Edition
- The Boy and the Heron: Steelbook Edition (4K)
Beyond Studio Ghibli, Crunchyroll is also gearing up to release several other exclusive steelbook Blu-rays. Fans can look forward to a new edition of Berserk’s Golden Age OVA arc, and enthusiasts of the popular Isekai series That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime will be able to get steelbook editions for both its first and second seasons.
Upcoming Crunchyroll Blu-ray Exclusives
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition
- That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime: Season One
- That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime: Season Two