Ep 18. The Murdering Marionette

Lupin the 3rd Part 4 is an anime series about the adventures of a master thief and his associates, as they travel the world and pull off daring heists. In the 18th episode of season 1, entitled "The Murdering Marionette," Lupin and his crew find themselves in Prague, where they are drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse with an elusive assassin.

The episode begins with Lupin and Jigen attempting to steal an ancient book from a museum in Prague. However, their heist is interrupted when they stumble upon a crime scene in the museum's basement, where a young woman lies dead in a pool of blood. The murder weapon, a knife, is nowhere to be found.

As the police arrive on the scene, Lupin and Jigen slip away and begin to investigate the murder themselves. Their search takes them to a nearby puppet theatre, where they discover that the victim was a talented puppeteer named Adelheid. Her latest production, a dark and haunting show called "The Nightmare Doll," seems to hold the key to her murder.

Lupin and Jigen attend a performance of "The Nightmare Doll," hoping to catch a glimpse of the killer. They are not disappointed: during the show's climax, the puppet of Adelheid's character suddenly springs to life and attacks the other characters with a knife. The puppeteers are shocked and horrified by the sudden malfunction, and Lupin and Jigen realize that they are dealing with more than just a simple murder.

As they continue to investigate, Lupin and Jigen discover that Adelheid's death is just the latest in a series of mysterious murders that have plagued Prague in recent months. All of the victims were women, all of them were involved in the arts, and all of them were killed with a knife that vanished without a trace. The killer seems to be targeting artists who dare to express themselves through their work, and Lupin and Jigen realize that they are in grave danger.

With the help of their allies - including the sharpshooting Fujiko and the gadget-loving Goemon - Lupin and Jigen delve deeper into the mystery of the "Murdering Marionette." They uncover a web of intrigue and deception that leads them to a shadowy figure known only as the "Puppet Master." This criminal mastermind has been manipulating events from behind the scenes, using his puppetry skills to create a terrifying tableau of murder and mayhem.

As the tension builds to a thrilling climax, Lupin and his crew must use all of their skills and ingenuity to confront the Puppet Master and put an end to his deadly game. With its high-stakes thrills, complex plotting, and stylish visuals, "The Murdering Marionette" is a standout episode of Lupin the 3rd Part 4, showcasing the show's unique blend of action, humor, and intrigue.