Arsène Lupin III, known internationally as Lupin III, carries the legacy of his grandfather, the early 20th-century literary gentleman thief Arsène Lupin created by Maurice Leblanc. He operates as a globally notorious master thief, commanding recognition for audacious heists and his uncanny ability to evade law enforcement across jurisdictions. His ethnic background remains officially unspecified; he has described himself as half-Japanese and half-French, while Inspector Zenigata frequently refers to him as Japanese. Lupin III grew up in Mahiko Village under the tutelage of Tomoe, though his exact birthplace is undocumented. His character varies significantly between original manga and anime adaptations. The manga depicts a remorseless, violent criminal leader of the Lupin Clan, engaging in murder, sexual assault, and operating as a lone wolf without genuine alliances. Anime portrayals soften him into a chivalrous thief with a moral code: he avoids killing, especially women, and frequently intervenes against more dangerous criminals or to assist vulnerable individuals. Core traits persist across versions: arrogance, hedonism, and a penchant for manipulating women for personal gain. His recurring infatuation with Fujiko Mine proves a consistent vulnerability, often leading him into peril. Professionally, Lupin III lives for the intellectual challenge of theft rather than material gain, frequently abandoning or gifting stolen items post-heist. He possesses genius-level intellect as a polymath, specializing in deduction, disguise, and technological innovation. His physical abilities encompass exceptional agility, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat proficiency, and mastery of vehicular operations across cars, aircraft, and boats. He utilizes an array of gadgets, including a grappling hook watch, explosive devices, and specialized eyewear for hacking or telescopic vision. Key relationships define his world: Daisuke Jigen serves as his loyal gunman and confidant; Goemon Ishikawa XIII, a stoic samurai, alternates between ally and rival, sworn to eventually kill him; Fujiko Mine exploits their romantic tension to betray him for personal profit; and Inspector Koichi Zenigata pursues him relentlessly as an Interpol agent, their dynamic evolving mutual respect and an unspoken code against lethal force. Lupin III demonstrates unwavering loyalty to his core team, rescuing them from danger even after betrayals. In *Missed by a Dollar*, Lupin III targets a seemingly valueless antique ring at a New York auction, recognizing it as a clue to a legendary brooch linked historically to figures like Napoleon and Hitler. Outbid by one dollar, he steals the ring but faces opposition from Cynthia Craymov, CEO of the Bank of the World, and her mercenaries. His motivation is pure curiosity and the thrill of the chase, contrasting Craymov's plan to incite global conflict for financial dominance. After faking his death during a heist, his team—Jigen seeking a replacement firearm, Goemon aiding a missionary, and Fujiko recovering stolen investments—continues the mission assuming his demise. Lupin III later resurfaces to orchestrate an elaborate con against Craymov's banking empire, exploiting her infatuation following a stolen kiss to dismantle her operations. The narrative underscores his indifference to wealth and symbolic role as an agent of chaotic freedom against corrupt power structures. Lupin III's character maintains adaptability across media while embodying contradictions: a self-serving criminal exhibiting situational altruism, a womanizer possessing unyielding loyalty, and an anarchic figure bound by personal ethics. His legacy endures through continual reinvention within heist narratives, reflecting Monkey Punch's original vision of an eternal conflict between thief and law.