Chiho Saitō's Arsène Lupin Adaptation VS Lupin Manga Ends
VS Lupin, a manga illustrated by Chiho Saitō featuring the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin created by the famous French author Maurice Leblanc, has finally concluded with its final chapter published in July 2026. According to Anime News Network, the series first began in 2012 and provided readers with new adventures of the classic character for a full 14 years.
Chiho Saitō is an experienced mangaka, particularly known for her iconic series Revolutionary Girl Utena (Shōjo Kakumei Utena). Having also worked on titles such as Princess Celeste and Jūni Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms), Saitō brought a unique interpretation to literary classics with VS Lupin. Inspired by the original Leblanc novels, the manga depicted Lupin's clever heists and cat-and-mouse games with the police through a modern artistic lens.
Although the total number of volumes published throughout the series has not yet been officially announced, VS Lupin, which was regularly collected into volumes in Japan, was followed with interest by Arsène Lupin fans, especially in Europe and Japan. The elegant art style Saitō brought to the characters and the feminine touch she added to the story were among the most important features that distinguished the series from other Lupin adaptations.
The conclusion of the manga may indicate that Chiho Saitō is focusing on her next project. Fans, remembering the master's silence following Utena and her subsequent return with VS Lupin, are hopeful for a new original series. Additionally, whether VS Lupin will be licensed in English or other languages remains uncertain for now.
