Ran is one of the 'ordinary' girls, she doesn't have super powers and a jazzy transformation scene, nor has she is overly endowed in the chest area (despite the odd hint dropped in the manga that she is... er... well developed ^^;) and she doesn't wear skimpy, skintight clothes while on a mission to save the world. She's a regular senior high school student (and a black belt in karate) who is innocently mixed up in something that's a little weird... unknown to her, the teenage boy she loves is once again a little kid.

She is introduced at the beginning of the Conan series as Shinichi Kudo's childhood friend and secret crush, the captain of her school's karate team and the daughter of an ex-policeman turned (lousy) detective. It's quickly revealed that she hangs out with Shinichi alot, but at the same time thinks he's a bit of a mystery geek. She likes to tease him and sometimes uses her (quite lethal) karate skills to threaten him at times, but obviously cares about him a lot and possesses a sensitive soul which is easily moved to tears by violent happenings (although I'm not sure if I would be that composed if someone behind me on the rollarcoaster had their head sliced off!). It's also shown (moreso in the anime than the manga) that she looks after her slob of a father and is not afraid to scold him when she thinks he needs it (which is most of the time!).

Ran's love for Shinichi is also revealed quite early on when she takes her new houseguest (her 'little brother) Conan home. She says that when Shinichi is being a mystery geek he is annoying, but she also says he is very cool at times and that she loves him ^^. Of course Conan, being Shinichi, is astonished to hear this... However, it is clear that she is unsure about Shinichi's feelings for her and therefore doesn't want to admit to anyone else that she loves him (hence her blushing denials whenever anyone needles her on the subject).

Her personality is established quite firmly in the initial books and develops throughout the series. It's quite easy to see growth in her character, the Ran of the later cases is much more mature than the early Ran! She has a lot of little foibles such as being rather naive, a little too prone to tears and strong emotions, and being scared of spooky things. However I think her strengths far outweigh her weaknesses.

She's actually very strong, not just in karate, but also in character. As well as being kind, fair, practical and loyal, she retains her sensitivity despite so much exposure to violent death and is capable of expertly aiding her father/Conan to solve cases. In one instance she even 'becomes' Shinichi and 'solves' a case (vol. 14-15), although it is an experience which distresses her deeply since the murderer turns out to be her childhood teacher. Although she is at first suspicious of Shinichi's 'cases' and even goes to being blindly jealous at one point (vol. 7), she eventually becomes more trusting that he will return to her... even after the disastrous events of volume 26 (Orla's note: Shinichi, you idiot!!). In the most latest case in Shonen Sunday, Ran and Shinichi seemed to have developed anime's trademarked sign of deep feelings... the psychic link (However if they start thinking 'Ran!'/'Shinichi' every second moment I'm going to be very annoyed ^^). Certainly, Ran's rapport with Shinichi is very good, there are many times when they are on the same wavelength and Conan/Shinichi simply needs to give Ran a small sign and she understands what to do (the 5th movie 'Countdown to Heaven' is a good example). Even if she isn't sure about what she is doing, Ran usually trusts Shinichi (and Conan) enough to keep her questions to the minimum. Ran does tend to act more on her emotions than logical thought, often making a decision based on heart and instinct. In the first Conan movie, 'Skyscraper on a timer', she cuts the correct wire on a bomb simply because it was blue and she didn't want to cut the red one, just in case she and Shinichi were bound by a red thread (meaning that they are destined for each other).

However, don't be mistaken, Ran is more than simply Shinichi's Watson to his Holmes! There are a number of times when she takes the initiative, much to Conan/Shinichi's astonishment and admiration, usually when her loved ones are in danger. Ran's protective instincts are very strong and will often lead her to do dangerous things. In volume 1 she saves Conan from a baseball wielding maniac and in the 5th movie, 'Countdown to Heaven', she again saves Conan from a blazing building! And it doesn't have to be someone she cares about that needs saving.... Like Shinichi, Ran has a strong sense of justice and a large moral streak, in volume 35 she saves a serial murder from falling to his death, despite his threat to her own life.

There are some people who think that, due to her naivety, Ran is stupid. Actually, it's fairly clear that Ran is quite smart! She figures out that Conan is Shinichi very early on (vol. 3)and it's only due to Professor Agasa using the voice-changer and telephoning her as Shinichi while Conan is with her that she actually doubts her deduction. Yet even that doesn't deter her as there are several other instances where she remains suspicious of Conan, culminating in volumes 25 and 26 where she _knows_ Conan is Shinichi, but won't say as she is (in Heiji's words) 'waiting for him to tell her the truth'. It is only after Shinichi's brief return in volume 26, where she sees Conan (a disguised Haibara) and Shinichi together that she seems to have set aside her suspicions. However, I don't know... I have my own suspicions about Ran... I think that deep down she does know the truth and is still waiting for him to tell her!

Which is one of the reasons why I don't think, as many have suggested, that she will thump Shinichi when she finds out. She'll probably yell, but once Shinichi explains the situation I think she will understand his reasons!

So in conclusion I guess all I can say is that I adore Ran's character. She's tough, yet sensitive, strong, sensible and very, very human. Some people might not like that in a character, but I know I do! ^_^