Arsène Lupin III, the world's greatest thief, is the grandson of Maurice Leblanc's literary gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. His ethnic background remains officially unspecified, with his birthplace listed as unknown, though older sources sometimes cite mixed French-Japanese heritage based on claims by Lupin himself or Inspector Zenigata. His criminal career builds directly upon the legacy of his grandfather, Arsène Lupin I, who built the "Lupin Empire" through major heists, and his father, Lupin II. Lupin III occasionally references this lineage by attempting to complete heists started by his ancestors. His personality merges a fun-loving, mischievous exterior with deep intelligence and strategic brilliance. Early manga depicted him as remorseless and violent, engaging in murder, sexual assault, and psychological torment. However, animated adaptations refined him into a chivalrous anti-hero adhering to a strict moral code: he avoids killing (especially women), refuses to steal "honest money," and often intervenes to protect victims from more violent criminals. He values the challenge of theft over possessing treasures, frequently discarding stolen items or gifting them to rightful owners or those in greater need. His consistent weakness is his infatuation with femme fatale Fujiko Mine, whose betrayals he forgives repeatedly. He maintains deep loyalty to his core team—sharpshooter Daisuke Jigen and swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII—and even to his pursuer, Interpol Inspector Koichi Zenigata, whom he considers a respected rival and friend. Lupin possesses an exceptionally broad skill set. He is a master of disguise with vocal mimicry capable of fooling close acquaintances, exhibits Olympic-level agility for evading complex traps, and is proficient in hand-to-hand combat, swordsmanship, and marksmanship (preferring a Walther P38). A polymath, he demonstrates expertise in technology, lock-picking, explosives, and vehicle operation (notably his iconic sportscar), often inventing gadgets like grappling-hook watches, flash grenades, or robotic decoys. His heist approach combines meticulous planning with improvisational flair, using humor and misdirection to confuse opponents. In *Lupin III vs. Detective Conan: The Movie*, his character arc highlights his moral complexity and loyalty. Coerced into stealing the "Cherry Sapphire" jewel while Fujiko is held hostage with an explosive collar, he initially appears as Conan Edogawa’s adversary. The mission reveals his deeper allegiance to the Vespanian monarchy: he secretly works to recover a rare radar-absorbing mineral, "Vespadian ore," to prevent its militarization by criminals and foreign powers. This aligns with his established tendency to aid governments or individuals for ethical reasons, as seen in the preceding 2009 TV special where he returned Vespania’s crown to honor a promise to Queen Sakura. During the film’s climax, he cooperates with Conan, using the Cherry Sapphire (crafted from Vespadian ore) to deflect missiles targeting their aircraft. His awareness of Conan’s true identity as Shinichi Kudo—and his choice not to exploit this knowledge maliciously—further underscores his role as a principled outlaw. A post-credit scene featuring a comedic heist rivalry with Kaito Kid reinforces his persistence in pursuing challenges purely for thrills. Lupin’s character development across media culminates in this film's portrayal, synthesizing his trademark wit, ethical ambiguity, and unwavering dedication to his team and personal code.