Lupin the Third media franchise was spawned by a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Monkey Punch. It includes several animated television series, television specials, theatrical and home video features as well as further manga titles. The story follows the adventures of a gang of thieves led by Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of novels. Lupin and his gang travel throughout the world to steal treasures and escape from the law. A number of other series by other creators have since followed.