Shinichi Kudou is known for solving complex cases that leave the police puzzled with his keen observation skills, logical thinking, and extensive knowledge. During a trip with childhood friend Ran Mouri, he witnesses a suspicious transaction between two men. As a result of this, he is captured and forced to consume poison intended to kill him. However, instead of dying, Shinichi's body shrinks to the size of a grade schooler. Believed dead, he adopts the alias Conan Edogawa, which combines the names of famous mystery authors Arthur Conan Doyle and Ranpo Edogawa, in order to hide his identity while living with Ran and her private detective father. In this new life as a seven-year-old, Conan continues to solve murder cases, all the while working towards exposing those who shrank him and eventually restoring his body to its original size.
Meitantei Conan was awarded the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award for best shounen manga in 2000. It has sold over 150 million copies as of 2015, making it the 5th highest selling manga series of all time.The series has been published in English as Case Closed by VIZ Media under the Shonen Sunday imprint since September 7, 2004 (the Funimation dub name changes are kept in the publication). It is also published by Shogakukan Asian as Detective Conan, keeping the original Japanese names. Shogakukan Asian has also been publishing Detective Conan Kaito Kid Special Collection, a compilation of cases which feature the character Kaito Kuroba, since July 2017.