Sherlock Holmes operates as a consulting detective in late 19th-century Britain. He hails from a working-class maternal background and is the younger brother of Mycroft Holmes, both descended from Sherrinford Holmes. Though he attended an Oxbridge university, he retains a distinct Cockney accent reflecting pride in his heritage. Physically, he stands 185 cm tall with pale skin, dark blue wavy hair typically tied in a ponytail, and matching blue eyes, with noticeable shadows under them. After a three-year timeskip, his hair lengthens to mid-back and his attire shifts from casual suits to formal wear including buttoned shirts, waistcoats, bow ties, and dark coats. His personality combines exceptional deductive abilities with eccentricity. He exhibits childlike impulsiveness, ignores social norms, and maintains a disorganized lifestyle. A heavy smoker, he uses drugs during periods of boredom, drawing disapproval from associates like John Watson. Despite a brash demeanor, he demonstrates underlying kindness and empathy, particularly towards victims of injustice. He frequently breaks laws—hiding evidence, trespassing, or lying to police—to achieve outcomes he deems morally right. He openly criticizes class-based discrimination and values forensic science for its objectivity. He dislikes women but shows protective concern for intellectually formidable figures like Irene Adler. His first encounter with William James Moriarty occurs aboard the Noahtic, where Sherlock deduces William's involvement in a noble's murder but withholds exposure. This establishes their rivalry, with William designating Sherlock the "protagonist" in his plan to reform society. Sherlock later faces false accusations for the Earl Drebber's murder, orchestrated by Moriarty to test his abilities. Sherlock escapes custody, solves the case, exposes the true culprit, and advances Moriarty's overarching scheme. Their dynamic evolves from adversarial to complexly interdependent. Sherlock recognizes Moriarty as the "Lord of Crime" yet admires his ideals, creating internal conflict over whether to stop him. During the "Final Problem" arc, he confronts Moriarty on London Bridge, resulting in both falling into the Thames. Sherlock survives and rescues Moriarty, convincing him to atone for his crimes through living rather than dying. This marks a turning point: Sherlock becomes Moriarty's partner in redemption, assisting his recovery and joining MI6 under Mycroft's oversight. Post-timeskip, Sherlock displays increased maturity, patience, and dedication to guiding Moriarty, reflecting their vow to "live together and guide each other." Throughout official media, his investigative work remains central. He collaborates with Watson, who chronicles their cases, and engages with figures like Scotland Yard's George Lestrade. His methods consistently challenge institutional corruption while navigating moral ambiguities tied to Moriarty's revolution.