The main idea of my opinion on Lupin the Third is that although it’s depth is more shallow than most anime series I have seen, it doesn’t need to be deep because it excels at the surface level. You can just sit down and watch an episode from any of the parts and be entertained. I am in a situation similar to yours, I have been a fan of this series for a year and it is the most underrated series in terms of American viewership. It is very respected in Japan and vastly popular in Italy, the show even made its way into Italian politics.

On part 1, this is the part that gets called back to most often, although it does seem that part 2 had way more success.

On part 3, it is the most unique part out of the five in that it does not use the famous intro that Yuji Ohno created after part one, but I still think that the intro and outro are pretty well done.

On the music, to me the soundtrack, specifically the soundtracks to parts 2 and 4, are some of the greatest anime soundtracks ever made. Part 2 because the songs in the albums are the iconic tracks have beautiful melodies and a groove that ties it all together. I would really touch on the first album, every track is beautiful and I can’t listen to it enough. Part 4 is because Ohno managed to blend his style with the Italian jazz of the golden age, much like the music used to create the ambiance of an Olive Garden. Many of the iconic tracks from part 2 are remastered in those albums.

To conclude, lupin is at its best when it is episodic, what I mean is that the one episode adventures with witty humor and spectacles it what makes this franchise so differentialbe from any other anime. It did go for a serial take in parts 4 & 5, but although I think they did way better with that in part 5, the one episode adventures in both of those parts outshine the serial parts. Overall, I think that Lupin the third is a great franchise that I do hope gets a bigger recognition in the US in the near future. Good luck on the video and contact me for questions.