Yuji Ohno, Lupin III composer, dies at 84

musicMay 13, 2026866,541

Yuji Ohno, the Japanese jazz composer who created the signature music for the Lupin III franchise, died on May 4 at age 84. He wrote the franchise's main theme and its long-running jazz scores and led the You & Explosion Band, which performed "Lupin III '80" at Tokyo International Forum Hall A on January 28, 2022. Ohno's funky, cinematic arrangements gave Lupin III its defining tone and helped popularize jazz-inflected scoring across anime.

Discotek Media

@discotekmedia.bsky.social

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Yuji Ohno. A legendary musician who was the heart & soul of most of the music of Lupin the Third for nearly 50 years will certainly live on as his music & themes will continue to be synonymous with the famous thief.

259045d ago

Biscuit Bnuuy🔒🧷🏳️‍🌈7

I remember playing Lupins theme as a warmup on my trumpet all through high school. It helped me learn to add flourish and jazz theory. His music is truly as much who Lupin is in my mind.

Lord Adamyte6

What a bummer. He's been a solid part of my music rotations. Left us a lot of great works. youtu.be/mgvOc3m58Rc?...

Bright Bart2

I remember him as having an impact on global anime’s perception worldwide. Ohno’s music was one of the first to show that anime could have a sophisticated, genre-blending sound environment that was noir-esque. His music made Lupin feel less like children’s animation and more like a stylized film.

DJ RX-782

One of the greatest of all time! 💔 bsky.app/profile/djrx...

Anime News Network

@animenewsnetwork.com

Yuji Ohno, the composer of Lupin III's iconic jazz pieces, has died at 84:

49745d ago

DJ RX-786

I was fortunate to see Yuji Ohno perform live a couple years back while I was in Japan. He is truly one of the best composers of all time, not just for anime, but in general. Let his legacy always be remembered and celebrated. bsky.app/profile/djrx...

Renezuo3

84? Whew! What a fantastic run. I hope I can leave behind a fraction of what this guy did when I'm gone.

Kars

@karoshimyriad.bsky.social

Jazz musician Yuji Ohno passed away peacefully on May 4 at 84 years old due to old age. Debuting in the 1960's, he has since produced many works and is most famous for composing for the Lupin III series. Space Adventure Cobra, The Inugami Family, Proof of the Man, and more were composed by Ohno.

47145d ago

Drew Hunter

@drewhunter15.bsky.social

Yuji Ohno was one of the very best to ever do it. Without him, I wouldn’t have fallen head over heels for Lupin. My life wouldn’t be the same without being so taken by that iconic theme. His work on that series and beyond mean more to me than words can describe. Rest in peace, king.

Yuji Ohno playing the piano in a recording studio.

37145d ago

Yazi2

To this day I’ve heard so many countless remixes of the classic Lupin part 2 theme it still a refreshing thing as there is something that sets them all apart in some way whenever a new Lupin work comes out.

Unseen Japan

@unseenjapan.com

Farewell to one of the most influential anime composers of all time: Ohno Yuji, the jazz pianist whose music for the Lupin III franchise is amongst the most iconic in Japan, has passed. Ohno was 84 years old, and had continued performing with his band, Yuji Ohno & Lupintic Six, until quite recently.

27444d ago

Unseen Japan61

Ohno Yuji's passing marks another major loss; few remain of those who helped make the Lupin III franchise into a half-century old cultural mainstay. His musical themes continue to ground the series' vibe firmly in the 1970s. His OP for Lupin Part II is legendary. youtu.be/JvjgR4FOj3g?...

GKIDS Films

@gkids.com

Rest in peace to Yuji Ohno, whose jazz expertise crafted the adventurous score for the Lupin the 3rd series for over 40 years.

22744d ago

Lupin Central

@lupincentral.com

We have lost a legend. Yuji Ohno, 1941 - 2026. Our tribute to Yuji Ohno is now live on the website. www.lupincentral.com/home/rest-in...

18145d ago

Lupin Central12

Please share your favourite Yuji Ohno tracks with us today, Lupin or otherwise, and I will aim to retweet them when I can! youtu.be/pEEUXWt80DI?...

Candice (with an I)7

😭 RIP, sir. The Part 5 version is my favorite. youtu.be/PoGB7ZtzgDg?...

ELIZE3

RIP Yuji Ohno, a true musical legend. Your music lives on through Lupin III.

Guillaume Babey (commissions open)3

Man your tale of when you met Ohno had me chocking up. How should I keep on working today with all those tears flowing?!

Tom Farro 💀🤌 Skeletom2

Absolutely tragic. No one else has ever done it like him.

SJDeamBSc2

Thank you for sharing your personal experience meeting him, Lee. It's nice to know how friendly and welcoming he was to all Lupin fans, regardless of where they were from, and thay brought a tear of joy to my eye 🥲

TabbieWolf

@tabbiewolf.bluestripedboxers.com

Yuji Ohno has passed away. From the Lupin jazz Twitter account: #lupiniii

A notice of Yuji Ohno’s passing in Japanese

12445d ago

wes

@funnywes.online

even if you're not a big lupin head you just have to love the work. just unreal, thank you for the music youtu.be/-2hhpFpzo94?...

9845d ago

Steve Yurko

@steveyurko.com

RIP to Yuji Ohno. It's hard to imagine Lupin without his score. youtu.be/qUJki9_plYQ?...

11045d ago

Patrick Macias

@patrickmacias.bsky.social

Oh man, what a day. RIP musician and composer Yuji Ohno, best known for his Lupin III, Space Adventure Cobra, Captain Future #anime and movie BGM. He brought the jazz influence to soundtracks in #Japan. He was 84. news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c0e...

9945d ago

chungris

@chungris.bsky.social

Generational talent, please rest in peace Yuji Ohno. Thank you for composing not only for most of Lupin and many other shows, but also one of the best openings ever.

9645d ago

Toonami Squad

@toonamisquad.com

Yuji Ohno, Jazz musician best known for composing the soundtracks for the Lupin the 3rd franchise, has passed away on May 4th at the age of 84. Toonami Squad sends our condolences to his friends, family, and fans. Rest in Peace Yuji Ohno. x.com/lupinjazz/st...

10445d ago

Kaylyn Saucedo - MarzGurl

@marzgurl.com

I was privileged to work on subtitles and closed captions for the the movie Lupin the Third: Prison of the Past, which heavily featured Yuji Ohno's music. Man, iconic. Crazy to have had his work at any point in my lifetime.

10445d ago

Minovsky

@minovskyarticle.bsky.social

Rest in Peace, Yuji Ohno. Thanks for composing one of my all-time favorite anime theme songs, second only to your own work on Lupin III.

8044d ago

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Yuji Ohno, Lupin III composer, dies at 84

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