Arsène Lupin III, grandson of Maurice Leblanc's gentleman thief, carries on his legacy as a globally renowned master thief. His exact origins remain unspecified, with birthplace listed as "unknown," though he sometimes identifies as French-Japanese. Across all media, he leads a core team comprising marksman Daisuke Jigen, swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII, and Fujiko Mine, a femme fatale who frequently double-crosses him, pursued relentlessly by Interpol Inspector Koichi Zenigata. Lupin's personality shifted significantly from Monkey Punch's original remorseless, violent manga depiction to the anime's more chivalrous, family-friendly interpretation where he avoids killing and aids those in need. Despite this evolution, his core traits as a fun-loving, adaptable genius with a childlike demeanor remain constant. In *Lupin III: The Columbus Files*, Lupin's characterization highlights his loyalty to Fujiko Mine and resourcefulness under pressure. The narrative opens with Lupin and Fujiko sharing a romantic dinner where she reveals memorizing the "Columbus Files," documents leading to the legendary Columbus Egg treasure. Their evening shatters when antagonist Nazaroff attacks, seeking the files. During the chaotic chase, Fujiko falls from a cliff, sustaining trauma-induced amnesia that erases her memory of the files. Lupin pivots from treasure hunting to safeguarding Fujiko and restoring her memory, displaying uncharacteristic seriousness and restraint while she remains vulnerable. Lupin deploys his signature skills throughout the special. He utilizes masterful disguises, including a reversible jacket transforming into a lab coat and pre-prepared fake IDs, to infiltrate antagonist Barton's research facility. His agility and athleticism enable survival after the cliff fall and navigation of action sequences. Though typically reliant on his Walther P38 pistol, he adapts using improvised gadgets like rocket-powered shoes for evasion and night-vision goggles during underwater operations. He coordinates closely with Jigen and Goemon, whose supporting firepower and sword skills prove crucial—notably when Goemon disperses a tornado with the Zantetsuken blade. Lupin's tactical ingenuity surfaces while outmaneuvering Nazaroff, whom he taunts with the English dub nickname "Nasal Cough." His relationship with Fujiko drives the special's emotional core. While typically portrayed as a chivalrous pervert, Fujiko's amnesia forces Lupin to suppress his usual advances, focusing solely on her protection. This dynamic contrasts with treasure hunter Rosaria, who forms a protective bond with Fujiko featuring subtle romantic undertones during her memory loss. Nazaroff's villainous crush on Fujiko further complicates the conflict, culminating in a physical fight with Lupin amid a waterspout. Resolution arrives when Fujiko, confronting the traumatic image of a grasping hand, accepts Lupin's extended hand, triggering her memory recovery and return to her assertive self. The Columbus Egg, the special's MacGuffin, possesses multiple exaggerated properties: immense monetary value, weather control, disease curing, super-strength bestowal, and a new energy source via "Fulgon Energy." Lupin's pursuit aligns with his established trait of valuing the heist's thrill over the treasure itself. After overcoming antagonists Nazaroff and Barton—the latter mutated into a hulking monster by the Egg's power—Lupin's team secures the artifact. Consistent with his later anime moral code, he ensures the Egg does not fall into malicious hands, though the treasure's final disposition remains undetailed.