The year is 1899, and a frightening radio message arrives on board the Atlantic luxury liner Provence as it sails from France to the United States. The message warns of a notorious passenger: Arsène Lupin, the phantom thief with a thousand names and faces. So begins the story of a man who has declared war on the rigid social order of the Belle Époque. Lupin's parents were honest, hardworking people who died in poverty, crushed by the inequality of an era where the bourgeoisie held all the power and justice. In response, Lupin dedicates his life to challenging a legal system that protects only the wealthy, stealing exclusively from the rich and powerful while taunting the authorities with audacious tricks.

The setting is France at the turn of the twentieth century, a time of dazzling art and culture but also deep social divides. Lupin operates as a master of disguise, a protean figure who can appear as anyone—a nobleman, a police officer, a foreign prince. He is fearless, cunning, and often bizarre in his methods, leaving calling cards and riddles for his pursuers. The manga adapts the classic novels of Maurice Leblanc, retelling Lupin's earliest exploits in a faithful yet dynamic manga form.

The narrative follows several major story arcs. It begins with Lupin's arrest and imprisonment, from which he orchestrates a spectacular escape. He then embarks on a series of heists involving a diamond necklace, a Jewish lamp, and the legendary "Hollow Needle" — a hidden fortress containing the secrets and treasure of the French monarchy. Along the way, Lupin crosses paths with Herlock Sholmes (a deliberate parody of Sherlock Holmes) in a battle of wits, and with the alluring "blonde lady," a mysterious accomplice who may be his equal. Later arcs explore Lupin's backstory, including a flashback to his youth, and conclude with the ambitious "813" storyline, where Lupin faces a conspiracy that threatens to unravel his entire legend.

Central to the story is Lupin's complex morality. He is a thief, but he steals only from those who have stolen from society. He protects the innocent while outwitting the police, especially the dogged Inspector Ganimard, who dedicates his career to capturing him. The manga captures the spirit of adventure and rebellion, presenting Lupin as an eternal hero who uses intellect and audacity to fight an unjust world.