Lupin III, the Pop Culture Icon Created by Monkey Punch

Lupin III, the Pop Culture Icon Created by Monkey Punch / Pen ペン

In 1905, Maurice Leblanc invented the character of Arsène Lupin, a gentleman burglar who operates on the wrong side of the law but who steals from individuals who are far worse than him, for good reasons. The character became extremely popular in France, following in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s hero Sherlock Holmes. Sixty years later, Japanese artist Monkey Punch drew inspiration from this character to create a pop culture icon and symbol of Japan, the renowned Lupin III.