The Four Faces Of Lupin: Decoding The Wild History Of Every 'Mystery Of Mamo' English Dub

For any dedicated fan of the world's greatest master thief, Arsène Lupin III, the 1978 film The Mystery of Mamo (original Japanese title: Rupan Sansei: Rupan vs. Kurōn) is a quintessential, mind-bending classic. Released as the very first theatrical feature for the franchise, it set a high bar for outlandish action and science fiction elements, pitting Lupin and his crew against the immortal, cloning villain Mamo. However, what truly makes this film a legendary piece of anime history—and a source of endless debate—is not just the plot, but the sheer number of official English audio tracks: a staggering four distinct dubs, each offering a radically different take on the characters and dialogue.

As of today, the definitive way to experience this cinematic curiosity is through the comprehensive releases by Discotek Media, which have meticulously preserved and presented all four English versions, allowing fans to compare the bizarre history of this single film. This article breaks down the unique history, key voice actors, and legacy of each of the four English dubs for *Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo*, helping you decide which version is the best fit for your viewing experience.

The Four English Dubs: A Comparative History of Voice Casts and Companies

The existence of four distinct English dubs for one film is almost unheard of in anime, a testament to the chaotic and fragmented way *Lupin III* was introduced to Western audiences over two decades. Each version reflects the era of its creation, from literal translations to heavy localization.

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1. The Toho/Frontier Enterprises Dub (1979) – The Pioneer

This is the earliest and most obscure of the four English dubs, created by Frontier Enterprises and commissioned by the original Japanese distributor, Toho, for international sales. It was often shown on airlines or at film markets, never receiving a major home video release until the Discotek compilations.

• Title Used: Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo.
• Lupin's Voice: Tom Clark (uncredited).
• Key Characteristic: This dub is renowned for being the most literal, almost 1:1 translation of the original Japanese script. While accurate to the words, the dialogue often sounds stilted, unpolished, and unnatural in English, earning it a reputation as a charmingly awkward relic.
• Notable Entity: William Ross, the owner of Frontier Enterprises, reportedly voiced Goemon Ishikawa XIII in this version.

2. The Streamline Pictures Dub (1995) – The Streamline Era

The second dub was produced by Streamline Pictures (under the direction of Carl Macek) and released to VHS and LaserDisc by Orion Home Video. This version is highly nostalgic for many older anime fans, as Streamline was a major player in introducing anime to the US, particularly with their dub of *The Castle of Cagliostro*.

• Title Used: Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo.
• Lupin's Voice: Bob Bergen.
• Key Characteristic: The Streamline dub is known for its heavy localization and a cast that sounds distinctly "American." Bob Bergen’s take on Lupin is notably different from other versions, and the dialogue often takes liberties with the source material to make it more palatable for a perceived 90s American audience. Zenigata's voice, provided by Ardwight Chamberlain, is a fan favorite.
• Notable Entity: This version is often confused with the Manga UK dub due to similar titles and release windows.

3. The Manga Entertainment UK Dub (1996) – The Gritty Revision

Released shortly after the Streamline version, the third dub was produced by Manga Entertainment UK for the PAL market. It was an attempt to create a more "adult" and "gritty" feel, aligning with the company's reputation for darker anime releases at the time.

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• Title Used: Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo (same as Streamline, adding to the confusion).
• Lupin's Voice: William Dufris (who also voiced Bob the Builder).
• Key Characteristic: The Manga UK dub is infamous for its aggressive localization, sometimes adding profanity and adjusting character personalities to be harsher than the original. William Dufris’s performance as Lupin is highly distinct, giving the master thief a more cynical, hard-boiled sound.
• Notable Entity: This version was included on the UK VHS release and is considered the most heavily localized and controversial of the four dubs.

4. The Geneon/Funimation/Discotek Dub (2003/Present) – The Modern Standard

The fourth dub, originally produced by Geneon Entertainment (and later re-released by Funimation and then Discotek Media), is widely considered the modern, standard English voice cast for the franchise. This is the cast that has voiced the majority of *Lupin III* content for the last two decades, including the *Part* series and many other films.

• Title Used: Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo.
• Lupin's Voice: Tony Oliver.
• Key Cast: This ensemble cast features the voices most current fans recognize: Tony Oliver (Lupin III), Richard Epcar (Daisuke Jigen), Michelle Ruff (Fujiko Mine), Lex Lang (Goemon Ishikawa XIII), and Doug Erholz (Inspector Zenigata).
• Key Characteristic: This dub strikes a balance between the literal and the localized, aiming for a consistent, professional sound that matches the tone of the original Japanese while providing natural-sounding English dialogue. It is the version most often streamed and sold today.

The Discotek Media Legacy: Preserving the Chaos in 4K

The story of the *Mystery of Mamo* dubs is inextricably linked to Discotek Media. Their commitment to the *Lupin III* franchise has been instrumental in bringing these disparate versions together for modern preservation and enjoyment.

From DVD to 4K Restoration

The 2013 DVD release by Discotek was a landmark event, as it was the first time all four English dubs were officially compiled onto a single release, complete with extensive liner notes detailing the history of each version. This was a monumental task of restoration and licensing, finally giving fans the definitive historical document of the film's English-language journey. Later releases, including the high-definition Blu-ray and subsequent 4K UHD editions (often featuring the original Japanese film restored in stunning clarity), continued this tradition.

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The availability of the Toho dub and the Manga UK dub on these modern releases is particularly significant, as both were previously rare, almost mythical pieces of *Lupin III* history. Discotek's efforts have ensured that the full, bizarre, and wonderful history of *Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo* is accessible to a new generation of enthusiasts.

Why So Many Dubs? Topical Authority and the Early Anime Market

The primary reason *Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo* has four English dubs lies in the fragmented nature of the early anime licensing market. Before the rise of major distributors like Funimation or Crunchyroll, different companies acquired the rights to the same film for different territories or media formats, leading to a "race" to produce their own English tracks.

• No Universal Voice Cast: Unlike today, there was no established, universal English voice cast for the main characters. Each company, from Frontier Enterprises to Streamline, had to hire their own actors, resulting in wildly different interpretations of Lupin, Jigen, Fujiko Mine, Goemon, and Inspector Zenigata.
• Different Market Intentions: The Toho dub was for international sales, the Streamline dub was for the burgeoning US home video market, and the Manga UK dub was for a specific, grittier UK audience. Each company had a different goal, which influenced the tone and script of their respective dubs.
• The Monkey Punch Legacy: The source material, the manga by Monkey Punch, is known for its adult themes and dark humor. The first film's director, Sōji Yoshikawa, and screenwriter, Atsushi Yamatoya, embraced this tone, making it a challenging film to adapt consistently for various Western sensibilities, thus encouraging different companies to take their own editorial approach.

Ultimately, the four dubs of *Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo* are not just different soundtracks; they are time capsules. They represent the evolution of anime's journey in the West, from awkward literal translation to heavy localization, and finally to the professional, consistent standard set by the modern Tony Oliver cast. For fans, the ability to switch between these audio tracks is a unique, educational, and often hilarious experience that no other anime film can truly offer.