Shinichi Kudo is a 16-year-old high school detective celebrated as the "Heisei Holmes" and "Savior of the police force" for solving complex cases beyond law enforcement's grasp. Born to mystery novelist Yusaku Kudo and former actress Yukiko Kudo, his childhood exposure to crime scenes through his father sharpened his investigative instincts and desensitized him to violence. A defining moment occurred in kindergarten when he intervened to stop Ran Mouri's kidnapping, cementing their lifelong bond. While celebrating Ran's karate championship victory at Tropical Land, Shinichi observed a suspicious transaction involving two men in black. Investigating alone, he was ambushed by Gin, a high-ranking member of the secretive Black Organization. Gin forcibly administered the experimental poison APTX 4869 to eliminate him. Instead of causing death, the drug triggered a rare side effect, regressing his body to that of a six- or seven-year-old. To conceal his identity and protect loved ones from the organization, Shinichi adopted the alias Conan Edogawa, combining the names of authors Arthur Conan Doyle and Edogawa Rampo. He moved in with Ran and her father, Kogoro Mouri, a private detective. Using Kogoro's cases as cover, Conan covertly pursued leads on the Black Organization. Family friend and inventor Professor Hiroshi Agasa supplied gadgets for his investigations, including a voice-changing bowtie to impersonate Kogoro during deductions. Shinichi possesses high intelligence, keen observational skills, and extensive knowledge in fields like forensic science, physics, and literature, often citing Sherlock Holmes as an inspiration. He abandoned a promising soccer career to focus on honing reflexes beneficial for detective work, though he retains exceptional athletic prowess, particularly in soccer. Initially arrogant, he relished media attention and dramatic public revelations of culprits. His forced de-aging fostered humility, shifting his focus from recognition to preserving lives and ensuring culprits face justice without despair. His relationship with Ran evolved from childhood friendship into mutual romantic affection. He attempted to confess his feelings at Tropical Land but was interrupted. Subsequent temporary reversions to his original form allowed fleeting chances to express his feelings, culminating in a successful confession during the London arc. Ran's persistent warning that detective work could lead him into danger remains a recurring motif he recalls after his transformation. As Conan, he formed the Detective Boys with classmates Ayumi Yoshida, Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, and Genta Kojima, initially for cover but developing genuine camaraderie. The group later included Ai Haibara, revealed as Shiho Miyano (the scientist codenamed Sherry who developed APTX 4869), who also regressed to childhood after defecting from the Black Organization. Her scientific expertise proved crucial in developing temporary antidotes. Shinichi maintains a network of allies, including rival detective Heiji Hattori, who deduced his true identity, and FBI agent Shuichi Akai. Despite his child form, he continues tackling cases involving the Black Organization, utilizing Agasa's inventions and temporary antidotes to intermittently resume his original identity. His primary goals remain exposing the organization, securing a permanent antidote, and resuming his life as Shinichi Kudo.