Arsène Lupin III, grandson of Maurice Leblanc's fictional gentleman thief, was conceived by manga artist Kazuhiko Kato under the pen name Monkey Punch in 1967. He blends his grandfather's thieving legacy with James Bond's carefree charm, operating as a master thief who relishes the challenge of heists more than possessing the stolen items. His personality exhibits significant evolution across media: the original manga depicts him as remorseless and crude, willing to use violence and sexual coercion, while anime adaptations soften him into a chivalrous figure. This version avoids killing, helps the vulnerable, corrects injustices despite being a criminal, adheres to a self-imposed policy against harming women, and avoids stealing "honest money."

Lupin frequently operates with accomplices: marksman Daisuke Jigen, samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII, and femme fatale Fujiko Mine. Fujiko often double-crosses him, exploiting his romantic interest, yet Lupin consistently risks his safety to rescue her or his other allies when endangered. His dynamic with Interpol Inspector Koichi Zenigata evolves from outright hostility to mutual, grudging respect, with both treating their global chase as a professional commitment rather than a personal vendetta. Lupin possesses exceptional skills in disguise, marksmanship, gadget invention, and improvisation, often using humor as a defense mechanism. Physically, he has average strength but remarkable agility, flexibility, and manual dexterity.

In *Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone*, Lupin wears a teal-colored jacket, departing from his traditional green, red, or blue jackets. His actions highlight key traits: he collaborates with Jigen to steal the "Little Comet" gemstone from East Doroa, demonstrating their partnership. When assassin Yael Okuzaki targets Jigen, placing a gravestone bearing Jigen's name as a pre-killing ritual, Lupin actively works to protect him. After Jigen appears fatally shot, Lupin's investigation reveals Okuzaki's hidden surveillance network embedded in statues and gargoyles across the city, enabling target tracking. Lupin uses this knowledge to fake Jigen's death and later orchestrates a confrontation where Jigen disables Okuzaki. Concurrently, Lupin prioritizes rescuing Fujiko after her capture and torture by Okuzaki's associates, showcasing his loyalty despite her unreliability. The film culminates with Lupin exposing East Doroa's conspiracy behind singer Queen Malta's assassination; he burns the incriminating "Calamity File" but leaks evidence to prevent war.