Kudou Shinichi was a bit of an odd-ball high school student who loved mysteries and acting as a high school detective; much like the Hardy boys if you will. He loved Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and indeed like Sherlock Holmes, pursued soccer as a means of relaxation; as Holmes did with fencing. (Unlike Holmes however, Shinichi is rather tone deaf). Unfortunately, as his fame grew, so did his enemies, until when out on a date with a good female friend (but not yet actually going steady with), he crossed paths with the "Men in Black" (the Kurozukume). Clearly, these people had much to hide and so, the great high school detective decided to follow them and investigate.