Arsene Lupin III, grandson of Maurice Leblanc's fictional gentleman thief, upholds his grandfather's legacy as a globally acknowledged master thief, renowned as the world's number one. His ethnic origins remain officially unspecified, his birthplace unknown. Older sources offer conflicting claims: Lupin declares himself French like his grandfather while also asserting mixed Japanese-French heritage, and Inspector Zenigata consistently labels him Japanese. He speaks both Japanese and French fluently. Raised in Mahiko Village and tutored by Tomoe, Lupin frequently invokes both his famous grandfather and father, quoting his grandfather's advice and attempting to complete or replicate ancestral heists. Lupin's personality exhibits significant evolution across media. Original manga and early anime depict him as remorseless, crude, and sociopathic, committing murder, sexual assault, and violence against animals and humans. He operates as a lone wolf, viewing associates Daisuke Jigen and Goemon Ishikawa XIII as rivals or business contacts, treating Fujiko Mine solely as a sex object without romantic connection. Later anime portrayals, from Part II onward, transform him into a chivalrous, fun-loving figure guided by a moral code. He avoids murder, refuses to steal "honest money," actively protects women from harm, and aids the less fortunate. He often targets violent criminals, leaving them for Zenigata's arrest. Despite Fujiko's repeated betrayals, Lupin maintains a dangerous infatuation with her. His relationships with Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko solidify into a loyal team; they endure torture rather than betray each other. He shares a complex, mutually respectful rivalry with Inspector Zenigata, considering him a friend and seeking vengeance against those who harm him. Lupin's primary motivation is the thrill of the heist itself, not possessing the stolen items. He frequently loses or relinquishes treasures, sometimes returning them to rightful owners or those in greater need. He relishes overcoming impossible security challenges and often announces his intentions via calling cards. His skills include masterful disguise and vocal mimicry, enabling flawless impersonation of anyone, including close associates like Zenigata. He exhibits high agility, proficiency in hand-to-hand combat, expert marksmanship with his signature Walther P38 pistol, and swordsmanship. Possessing genius-level intelligence, he devises complex heists, escapes high-security prisons, outsmarts adversaries, and adapts technology for his needs. He is also exceptionally skilled with various vehicles, performing extraordinary maneuvers while evading pursuit. Physically, Lupin has black or dark brown hair, often styled with a widow's peak or V-shaped bang and distinctive long sideburns. He typically wears a brightly colored blazer—its hue often indicating series continuity (green for Part I, red for Part II, pink for Part III, blue for Part IV, light blue for Part V, turquoise for Part VI)—paired with a dress shirt, tie secured by a silver clip, cropped pants, ankle socks featuring thin black stripes, and lace-up boots. He stands approximately 167–179 cm tall. His equipment includes a watch-concealed grappling hook, explosives, flash grenades, smoke bombs, a pocket knife, tasers, and various gadgets like extendable batons or robotic decoys. He drives an iconic, highly modified car capable of improbable maneuvers. Beyond heists, Lupin enjoys fishing, race car driving, formal dinners, pool, casino gambling, and socializing in cafés. His favorite foods encompass French cuisine, sushi, seafood, ramen noodles, and galettes. He smokes Gitanes cigarettes, cigars, kreteks, or a briar pipe. He employs humor as a defense mechanism and occasionally exhibits eccentric behaviors, such as sensory experiments or pretending situations are fine when they are not.