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Ranpo Edogawa

Ranpo Edogawa (江戸川乱歩, Edogawa Ranpo) is a prominent member of the Armed Detective Agency in Bungou Stray Dogs. Renowned as the “greatest detective in the world” (世界最高の名探偵, sekai saikō no mei tantei), Ranpo is celebrated for his unparalleled deductive skills and brilliant mind. Despite not possessing any supernatural ability, his natural intellect and extraordinary observation skills allow him to solve complex mysteries and cases with astounding precision. His reputation has earned him widespread recognition and high demand from the police and his comrades alike.

Ranpo’s unique approach to solving crimes has made him an indispensable figure in the Agency, often uncovering critical truths that others fail to perceive. His sharp intellect, coupled with his confidence and self-assured demeanor, solidifies his status as one of the Agency’s most valuable members.

Appearance

https://everipedia.io/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shibuya.jpg

Appearance in Manga

Ranpo Edogawa is a young man with a fair complexion, short, messy black hair, and brown eyes, which are often closed. His signature attire includes a brown inverness cape that matches his hat and pants, draped over a dark grey blazer, a white button-up shirt, and a striped blue tie. He wears three-quarter length pants with long white socks covering the visible part of his legs and simple black shoes. This distinctive outfit complements his eccentric and brilliant persona.

In his youth, Ranpo donned a traditional gakuran with a matching student cap and coat, often carrying a flat satchel at his waist. A notable accessory in his current ensemble is the black glasses given to him by Yukichi Fukuzawa, which he dons when activating his “ability.” His outfits evolve depending on the situation; for instance, he wears simple white long sleeves with a checkered tie and dark trousers shortly after the Agency’s founding. After the Cannibalism incident, his look shifts to a white long-sleeved shirt with a sleeveless vest and a black ribbon tie. In specific scenarios, Ranpo has worn disguises, such as a teddy bear costume for an undercover task, a cloak and boater hat to evade military police, and black overalls with a gas mask during the Agency’s frame-up. These varied outfits reflect his resourcefulness and adaptability during missions.

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Personality

Ranpo Edogawa takes immense pride in his self-proclaimed “ability,” Super Deduction, which enables him to solve complex mysteries in mere moments. Though his incredible intelligence often garners admiration from the Armed Detective Agency, his constant bragging about being the “greatest detective in the world” adds a touch of arrogance to his personality. Ranpo’s childish tendencies, such as teasing his colleagues, refusing to work due to trivial reasons, and struggling with mundane tasks like navigating the city, reveal his playful and somewhat lazy side. Despite this seemingly unserious demeanor, Ranpo becomes calm and focused in dire situations, showcasing his capability as a trusted member of the Agency. For instance, during crises like the virus-stricken Fukuzawa incident, his seriousness and determination left a strong impression on Atsushi and other members.

Ranpo’s loyalty to the Agency and its members runs deep, as he regards them as friends and feels a strong conviction to protect them. While he acknowledges his limitations and occasional failures, such as his inability to prevent Kunikida’s arrest during the Cannibalism case, Ranpo’s resolve to safeguard the Agency and Yokohama strengthens over time. Although his colleagues initially believe Super Deduction to be a legitimate ability, Ranpo is fully aware that it is his natural intelligence rather than a supernatural power. However, he hesitates to admit this, fearing it might undermine their trust in him. Over time, his experiences with adversaries like Fyodor Dostoevsky and allies such as Edgar Allan Poe and Mushitarō Oguri showcase his evolving maturity, charisma, and unparalleled detective prowess. Ranpo’s ability to turn former skeptics and enemies into allies further cements his reputation as a formidable and dedicated detective.

Background

Ranpo Edogawa was born to two exceptionally intelligent parents: a legendary detective known as the Clairvoyant and an equally brilliant housewife. Raised in the countryside, his early life took a tragic turn with the deaths of his parents, leading him to relocate to Yokohama as per his father’s advice. In Yokohama, Ranpo enrolled at the Yokohama Police Academy but quickly found the strict environment stifling. His sharp tongue and penchant for exposing secrets such as revealing the warden’s questionable activities—resulted in his expulsion.

After leaving the academy, Ranpo drifted between various jobs, including working at a military post, construction site, and postal service, only to either quit or get expelled due to his uncompromising attitude and knack for uncovering corruption. Eventually, he secured an interview at S&K Corporation, where a chance encounter with Yukichi Fukuzawa changed his life. After solving a murder case at the company and exposing the secretary as the true culprit, Ranpo joined Fukuzawa on his next assignment at Theatrum Mundi. During this time, Fukuzawa gave him a pair of glasses, claiming they could “control” his remarkable deductive abilities, instilling in Ranpo the belief that he was a special ability user. Their collaboration led to the creation of the Armed Detective Agency, with Ranpo as its first member, after securing the Skilled Business Permit with Sōseki Natsume’s assistance.

Abilities

Ranpo Edogawa’s extraordinary deductive prowess, which he self-proclaims as “Super Deduction” (超ちょう推すい理り, Chō Suiri?), enables him to uncover the “truth” of any crime in seconds. By simply analyzing a crime scene, he can pinpoint the evidence, identify the culprit, and unravel the sequence of events with unparalleled precision. To “activate” this ability, Ranpo ceremonially dons a pair of glasses given to him by Yukichi Fukuzawa, which he believes are the key to unlocking his superhuman insight.

Despite the mystical framing of his skills, Ranpo’s deductive capabilities are entirely the result of his own exceptional intelligence rather than an ability. This extends beyond crime-solving, as he can use his keen observational skills to analyze and make accurate predictions about various situations. His unmatched aptitude has never led to an erroneous deduction, as evidenced by his swift resolution of the Yamagiwa murder, deemed unsolvable by the police due to a lack of evidence. Although he eventually accepts that he is not an ability user, Ranpo continues to “activate” his glasses to maintain the theatrical element of his deductions, embracing his unique brilliance with pride.

Etymology

The name Ranpo is a playful pun on “Allan Poe,” referencing the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe. The kanji for Ranpo translates to “riot” (乱) (ran) and “walk” (歩) (ho/po), suggesting an energetic or unconventional wanderer.

The surname Edogawa is a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe as well, with kanji meanings of “creek” (江) (e), “door” (戸) (to), and “river” (川) (kawa/gawa), evoking a poetic imagery of flowing water and pathways. Together, the name encapsulates Ranpo’s dynamic and intellectually fluid character while honoring his literary inspiration.

Legacy

Ranpo Edogawa is a cornerstone of Bungo Stray Dogs, embodying the themes of intellect, confidence, and the strength of human potential. His unparalleled deductive skills and charismatic personality make him a fan-favorite character, providing both critical contributions to the agency’s missions and moments of levity in the series. Ranpo’s role as the “greatest detective in the world” cements his place as one of the most iconic characters in the franchise.

Trivia

Ranpo’s name is a direct homage to the real-life mystery author Ranpo Edogawa, whose works significantly influenced Japanese detective fiction.

His iconic glasses are symbolic, as he often adjusts them dramatically when solving a case, though they serve no real functional purpose.

Ranpo frequently demands snacks, particularly candies, as a reward for his detective work, reflecting his childlike tendencies.