The moment I saw Bungou Stray Dogs, I already knew fans were going to be wondering about Ranpo Edogawa’s IQ. Why? Because that’s simply what happens with characters that are certified geniuses in plot. Like, you know the type. The ones that are so clearly far and beyond in their intellect compared to any other character in the series. Or even outside of it, honestly. The prodigies in anime and manga always get pitted against each other.
So of course, Ranpo would be no different. It’s hard to say what Ranpo Edogawa’s exact IQ is, but suffice to say it is extremely high, possibly even 200. Why? Because even amongst the smartest characters in Bungou Stray Dogs, Ranpo Edogawa stands a cut above. Even Osamu Dazai, who is widely considered to be one of the most cunning people in the series, has said that Ranpo is more intelligent than him. In fact, Ranpo’s deductive skills could be considered an Ability on its own, despite him being born without one.
And look, super smart detectives aren’t a new thing in anime or manga. But the peak of that character archetype definitely stems from Death Note, with the introduction of Light Yagami and L Lawliet into the mainstream. Since then, the media format has been flooded with characters that are similar to those two, and not all of them hit the same way. I remember writing about Kiyotaka Ayanokoji of Classroom Of The Elite fame and finding that his character’s intelligence ended up feeling more forced rather than genuinely interesting.
This is why Ranpo’s characterization is more enjoyable. Whatever Ranpo Edogawa’s IQ might be, it’s clear that it isn’t his entire personality. But how his intelligence mixes with the general dramatics of his character is what creates his appeal. And in a series like Bungou Stray Dogs, where everyone is characterized with quirks galore, Ranpo stands out as both powerless and powerful. So, what is Ranpo Edogawa’s IQ? Let’s figure that out in another segment of Character Analysis!
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Ranpo Edogawa: Bungou’s Very Own Sherlock!

Ranpo Edogawa is one of the first people we meet from the Armed Detective Agency, which is made up of extraordinary people with extraordinary talents. And all of them serve to protect the common people from threats such as the Port Mafia. But amongst these amazing people, Ranpo is an outlier. Because he has no Ability of his own.
And Abilities, as we all know, are pretty important in the world of Bungou Stray Dogs. It’s basically superpowers that can range from telekinesis, transformation and even Eldritch style horrorscapes hidden inside clothing. But Ranpo Edogawa is as human as they come. Except when it comes to his brain. Because that’s where he is unmatched. In his first appearance, he manages to solve a mystery within seconds, and continues to go further and further in his analysis. And while intelligence isn’t an Ability per say, it is clear that Ranpo Edogawa is not an ordinary man.
And really, you wouldn’t think he has the capability of being so shrewd, downright clinical with his analysis. But Ranpo Edogawa knows when he is the smartest person in the room, and makes no moves to humble himself for it. His intelligence is incomparable and that’s just a fact. There’s a reason why he’s held in such high esteem by the entirety of the Armed Detective Agency and even their foes.
What he doesn’t have in the supernatural department, Ranpo Edogawa makes up for with his IQ, which can rival some of the greats across the anime world.
Ranpo Edogawa’s IQ Is Genetic
So, you’d think that Ranpo Edogawa is a one-in-a-million situation, a prodigy coming up from nowhere. But in actuality, Ranpo Edogawa comes from an upbringing that probably nurtured an already inherited intellect.
Ranpo Edogawa was born in Yokohama to a couple renowned for their intelligence. His father was also a detective, legendary for his skills that earned him the moniker of the ‘Clairvoyant’ and he married a woman who was just as formidable in her genius. Together, they passed their potential to their son, who ended up going to the Yokohama Police Academy to train. However, the strict lifestyle proved too much of a hassle for Ranpo, who is more flighty.
After that, it was a whole stint of odd jobs, during which he’d ‘accidentally’ uncover some illegal business afoot, and then promptly get kicked out. But eventually, his wayward nature puts him in the path of Yukichi Fukuzawa, who goes on to establish the Armed Detective Agency. And Ranpo becomes its first member.
Even though he has a genius-level IQ, Ranpo Edogawa is more than just an asset. His character is prone to laziness, and even carelessness. The dichotomy is what makes him interesting.
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