Lupan drives the narrative, motivated by a deeply personal quest tied to family legacy: to retrieve a golden dragon statue from the sunken Titanic, an artifact his grandfather, Arsène Lupin, once failed to steal.

He possesses extraordinary physical capabilities, diving to Titanic's depths without pressure suits and surviving intense underwater decompression. His agility and strategic mind shine through elaborate escapes, deploying adhesive explosives to disable pursuing vessels and executing precise aerial maneuvers to evade missiles. He demonstrates notable resilience, resisting a rage-inducing gas through controlled breath retention.

Key relationships define his world. A pivotal conflict arises with ally Goemon Ishikawa XIII when the statue's cultural significance to Goemon's clan forces him to prioritize its retrieval over their friendship. Loyalty surfaces when Fujiko Mine is captured, compelling Lupan to mount a rescue despite the risks.

Persistent opposition comes from Inspector Zenigata, demanding constant evasion. Antagonism intensifies with crime lord Chin Chin Chou, who seeks the statue for its metallurgical secrets to replicate Goemon's sword alloy. This rivalry escalates into strategic countermeasures against Chou's resources, including a stealth bomber.

Lupan consistently approaches heists valuing the challenge and execution over permanent possession of the treasures he acquires.