The Castle of Cagliostro
After successfully robbing the Monte Carlo Casino, Lupin The Third and Jigen Daisuke soon learn that their money is in fact counterfeit and they go after the man responsible: Count Lazare de Cagliostro. The two soon find out that the Count is behind something far worse than counterfeiting money for casinos: he has been keeping a family secret hidden deep in his castle. Can Lupin find out what this is and live to tell the tale? With the help of Jigen and the wise samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII, Lupin is hell-bent on finding out the Cagliostro family's secret fortune and make it his own.
Working with a tight budget of $7.2M, the film achieved a modest success with $8.2M in global revenue (+14% profit margin).
1 win & 1 nomination
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) showcases strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Hayao Miyazaki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.1, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Lupin and Jigen execute a successful casino heist in Monte Carlo, speeding away with millions. Establishes Lupin as a master thief living a carefree, adventure-filled life.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Lupin rescues Clarisse from assassins on the mountain road but she is recaptured by the Count's men. Lupin glimpses her face and is struck - she's being forced into marriage. His carefree existence is disrupted by this damsel in distress.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Lupin makes the active choice to infiltrate Castle Cagliostro, scaling the walls at night. He commits to rescuing Clarisse, abandoning his usual treasure-hunting motivations for a selfless mission. Crosses into the enemy's domain., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Lupin is captured by the Count and dropped into the dungeons beneath the castle. His rescue attempt fails spectacularly. The stakes raise - he's now imprisoned in the very place he tried to infiltrate. The Count reveals the scope of his power., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The wedding ceremony proceeds. Clarisse, dressed in bridal gown, is forced to marry the Count. Lupin watches helplessly as she says "I do" under duress. The Count apparently wins - Clarisse is legally his, hope seems lost. Whiff of death to innocence and freedom., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Lupin synthesizes everything: the castle's secrets, the ring mechanism, Zenigata's authority, and his team's skills. He stops the Count from shooting Clarisse and reveals the truth about the rings. New understanding enables the final confrontation - the treasure is knowledge, not gold., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Castle of Cagliostro's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Castle of Cagliostro against these established plot points, we can identify how Hayao Miyazaki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Castle of Cagliostro within the animation genre.
Hayao Miyazaki's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Hayao Miyazaki films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.6, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. The Castle of Cagliostro takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Hayao Miyazaki filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Hayao Miyazaki analyses, see Kiki's Delivery Service, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Lupin and Jigen execute a successful casino heist in Monte Carlo, speeding away with millions. Establishes Lupin as a master thief living a carefree, adventure-filled life.
Theme
Lupin examines the stolen bills and declares them counterfeit: "These goat bills aren't worth the paper they're printed on." His choice to pursue truth over easy money hints at the film's theme about genuine value versus false appearances.
Worldbuilding
Journey to Cagliostro. Lupin reveals his history with the country and the legendary counterfeiting operation. Establishes the sinister duchy, the castle, and introduces the pursuit of the runaway bride Clarisse being chased by Count's assassins.
Disruption
Lupin rescues Clarisse from assassins on the mountain road but she is recaptured by the Count's men. Lupin glimpses her face and is struck - she's being forced into marriage. His carefree existence is disrupted by this damsel in distress.
Resistance
Lupin debates infiltrating the castle. Jigen questions the wisdom of this mission (no treasure, just danger). They reconnect with Fujiko who reveals the castle's secrets. Lupin recalls Clarisse saved him years ago. Despite resistance, Lupin prepares to enter the fortress.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lupin makes the active choice to infiltrate Castle Cagliostro, scaling the walls at night. He commits to rescuing Clarisse, abandoning his usual treasure-hunting motivations for a selfless mission. Crosses into the enemy's domain.
Mirror World
Lupin reaches Clarisse's tower and they meet face-to-face. She doesn't recognize him but he recognizes her as the girl who helped him years ago. She represents innocence, genuine goodness, and the theme - someone worth more than any treasure.
Premise
The "fun and games" of castle infiltration. Lupin explores secret passages, outsmarts guards, engages in rooftop chases, and investigates the counterfeiting mystery. Swashbuckling adventure as he tries to reach Clarisse and uncover the castle's secrets.
Midpoint
False defeat: Lupin is captured by the Count and dropped into the dungeons beneath the castle. His rescue attempt fails spectacularly. The stakes raise - he's now imprisoned in the very place he tried to infiltrate. The Count reveals the scope of his power.
Opposition
Lupin escapes the dungeon and discovers the ancient Roman treasure mechanism. The Count forces the wedding forward. Inspector Zenigata arrives but is manipulated. Pressure intensifies as the Count consolidates power and the wedding approaches. Multiple failed rescue attempts.
Collapse
The wedding ceremony proceeds. Clarisse, dressed in bridal gown, is forced to marry the Count. Lupin watches helplessly as she says "I do" under duress. The Count apparently wins - Clarisse is legally his, hope seems lost. Whiff of death to innocence and freedom.
Crisis
Dark moment as the Count reveals his true plan - to kill Clarisse immediately after the wedding to claim her ring and unlock the treasure. Lupin and allies regroup, processing the betrayal and urgency. The emotional low before the final push.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lupin synthesizes everything: the castle's secrets, the ring mechanism, Zenigata's authority, and his team's skills. He stops the Count from shooting Clarisse and reveals the truth about the rings. New understanding enables the final confrontation - the treasure is knowledge, not gold.
Synthesis
Final battle at the clock tower. Lupin confronts the Count, the rings activate the ancient mechanism, and the lake drains to reveal the Roman ruins. The Count falls to his death. Clarisse is saved. Zenigata arrests the conspirators. The truth is revealed to the world.
Transformation
Lupin drives away from Cagliostro, leaving Clarisse behind despite her feelings. She's free and will rebuild her country. Lupin smiles - he gained nothing material but everything that matters. Transformed from treasure hunter to genuine hero who values people over prizes.