Lupin Iii The Blood Spray Of Goemon Ishikawa

Okay, let's talk Lupin the 3rd. Specifically, the Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa. And before you sharpen your katana, hear me out.
Goemon: Cool Dude, Right?
We all love Goemon. The stoic samurai. The master swordsman. He's basically anime's version of a zen garden with a really, really sharp edge.
But is he always...essential? That's the question that keeps me up at night. Or, you know, at least for a solid five minutes every other Tuesday.
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The "Always Prepared" Paradox
Goemon's whole deal is being ready for anything. But sometimes I think, "Could Lupin have just, like, picked a lock?" I'm just saying, sometimes a crowbar is faster than a perfectly executed iaijutsu.
Maybe I'm just jealous of his dedication. I can barely commit to finishing a Netflix series, let alone a lifelong quest for martial perfection.
Blood Spray: Stylish, Sure, But...
The Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa is visually stunning. It’s all moody lighting and dramatic sword fights.

It showcases Goemon's skills, no doubt. But did we really need a whole series dedicated to showing how good he is at cutting things?
We already knew! He's Goemon Ishikawa! He can slice a falling petal in half with his eyes closed while reciting haiku. We get it.
My Unpopular Opinion: It's a Bit...Much?
Here's where I might lose some friends. I think The Blood Spray is a little...over the top. It's like Goemon took a class in "How to be Extra" and aced it.
And I love over-the-top! But sometimes, less is more. Especially when you're dealing with a character whose whole thing is being calm and collected.

I find myself thinking, "Goemon, buddy, dial it back to an 8. We're good."
Lupin's Gang: A Team Effort (Mostly)
The charm of Lupin the 3rd is the dynamic between the whole gang. Lupin's the brains, Jigen's the muscle (and the sardonic wit), Fujiko's...Fujiko.
And Goemon's the...guy who cuts stuff really, really well. I’m not saying he doesn’t contribute. I just wonder if his skillset overlaps a bit with, say, Lupin's lockpicking or Jigen’s sharpshooting.
It’s like having three quarterbacks on a football team. One of them is gonna get bored.

Zen and the Art of Being Slightly Redundant
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Goemon's dedication to his craft. I admire his unwavering commitment to tradition.
It's just that sometimes, in the grand scheme of a Lupin heist, he feels a bit...redundant. Like a really, really sharp Swiss Army knife when all you need is a bottle opener.
And maybe that's the point! Maybe he's the team's philosophical anchor. Or maybe I'm just overthinking it and should enjoy the pretty sword fights.
Conclusion: I Still Love Goemon (Probably)
So, there you have it. My mildly controversial take on Goemon Ishikawa and The Blood Spray. I'm prepared for the internet to come at me with pitchforks and katanas.

But deep down, I still love Goemon. He's a cool character. And I'd definitely want him on my side in a sword fight.
I just think sometimes, he needs to let Lupin do the lockpicking. And maybe chill out with the excessive blood spraying. A little goes a long way, right?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go hide from the Goemon fan club. Wish me luck.
