Makoto Kyogoku is a student at Haido High School in Tokyo, where he served as captain of the karate team and earned the nickname the Prince of Kicks. He is from the Izu Islands and comes from a family that runs an inn, where he works as a waiter during summer breaks. As a child, he encountered a bottleneck in his karate training and studied under the martial artist Tatsuhito Takami in Osaka; Takami's philosophy of winning without fighting helped shape Makoto's composed and strategic approach to combat.

Makoto first noticed Sonoko Suzuki when she cheered passionately for her friend Ran Mouri at a karate tournament, and he became interested in her. He later crossed paths with Sonoko again during a vacation in Izu, where she was staying at his family's inn. When a serial killer began targeting her, Makoto saved her from an attack, and the two started a romantic relationship. However, Makoto's constant participation in international karate tournaments and a study period overseas turned their relationship into a long-distance one, with Sonoko sending him handmade gifts and Makoto remaining loyal.

Makoto is typically calm, cool, and collected, especially in dangerous situations. He is a keen observer who can quickly assess a person's physical dimensions and spot disguises, such as identifying Kaitou Kid impersonating Sonoko by a difference in finger lengths. He can also adopt an intimidating aura when necessary. The only thing that unsettles him is his affection for Sonoko; he will go to great lengths—even skipping an important tournament—to see her, but his bashfulness and competitive drive keep him moving between obligations. He is polite and well-mannered, as seen when he meets Sonoko's parents and earns their approval. He has a conservative side, often expressing concern when Sonoko wears revealing clothes. He always wears a band‑aid above his left eyebrow, which originally concealed a scar from a fight; in the movie The Fist of Blue Sapphire, it is revealed that the band‑aid hides a photo of him and Sonoko.

Makoto is one of the most powerful martial artists in the series. He is the All‑Japan Karate Champion and held a 400‑match winning streak, which ended only when he forfeited a tournament to be introduced to Sonoko's parents. His feats of strength include dodging bullets traveling at high speeds, catching BB pellets fired by a group of armed men while wearing a gas mask, breaking swords with his kicks, lifting the tail of a speeding van to prevent a crash, and dismantling a building pillar with repeated strikes. He also displays remarkable agility, free‑running skills, and the ability to memorize fight choreography quickly after being cast in a movie. Despite his power, he sometimes becomes a suspect in cases due to circumstantial evidence, but he consistently helps Conan and the others uncover the truth and prevents criminals from harming themselves.

Makoto's key relationships are with Sonoko Suzuki, his girlfriend who he cares for deeply; Ran Mouri, who admires his karate skills and whom he protects alongside Sonoko; Conan Edogawa, who respects his abilities and assists him when needed; and Kaitou Kid, whom Makoto views as a rival for Sonoko's attention. He also interacts positively with Masumi Sera and other recurring characters. Over the course of the series, Makoto's character develops from a mysterious, intense martial artist into a more open and devoted partner, while still maintaining his dedication to becoming the world's best karateka. His role is primarily as a supporting character who provides muscle, protection, and occasional deductions, often saving the main cast from physical danger.