Detective Conan

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

The legendary detective mystery series following Shinichi Kudo, who is transformed into a child and takes the alias Conan Edogawa while solving complex cases and searching for the mysterious Black Organization.

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Detective Conan

Also Known As

Detective Conan, Case Closed

Format

Anime/Manga

Release Year

1994

Current Status

Ongoing

Country of Origin

Japan

Original Work

Anime & Manga

Genre

Mystery, Detective, Crime, Shounen, Long-running

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Detective Conan.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Set in modern-day Tokyo, primarily in the fictional Beika City. The world mirrors real-life Japan but with a heightened frequency of complex crimes. Key locations include the Mouri Detective Agency, Teitan Elementary School, and various crime scenes ranging from locked rooms to isolated mansions.

The series deeply integrates Japanese police procedures, school life, and daily culture. It features a unique blend of high-tech gadgets (courtesy of Professor Agasa) and traditional deduction. Distinctive elements include the 'Sleeping Kogoro' deduction show, the Black Organization's shadowy presence, and the recurring motif of 'truth is always one'.

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Mystery, Detective, Crime, Shounen, Long-running

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Detective Conan's global influence.

1994

Manga serialization begins in Weekly Shonen Sunday by Gosho Aoyama.

1996

Anime adaptation premieres on NTV, becoming an instant hit.

1997

First theatrical movie 'The Time-Bombed Skyscraper' is released, starting an annual tradition.

2003

First live-action drama special airs, expanding the franchise's reach.

2006

The franchise celebrates its 10th anniversary with special events and merchandise.

2014

Total manga circulation exceeds 150 million copies worldwide.

2021

Manga reaches the historic milestone of 100 volumes.

2023

Movie 26 'Black Iron Submarine' breaks box office records, grossing over 13 billion yen.

2024

Celebrates 30th Anniversary with major exhibitions and global events.

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Detective Conan.

Conan Edogawa

“There is only one truth!”

A brilliant high school detective transformed into a child's body, who continues solving cases while hiding his true identity to protect those around him.View Profile

Ran Mouri

“Courage is a word of justice. It means the quality of mind that enables one to face apprehension with confidence and resolution.”

Shinichi's childhood friend and love interest.View Profile

Kogoro Mouri

“Hahahahaha!”

A private detective and Ran's father.View Profile

Ai Haibara

“Flowers are fragile and ephemeral... even if you meant to protect them with a surrounding fence from wind and rain, they would die without sunlight...”

The creator of the APTX 4869 poison who betrayed the Black Organization and shrank herself to escape.View Profile

Explore all Detective Conan characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the premise of Detective Conan?▼

The series follows Shinichi Kudo, a brilliant high school detective who is poisoned by the Black Organization. Instead of killing him, the poison shrinks him into a child. He adopts the alias 'Conan Edogawa' and solves cases while secretly hunting the organization to find a cure.

Who are the main characters in Detective Conan?▼

The main cast includes Conan Edogawa (Shinichi Kudo), his childhood friend and love interest Ran Mouri, her bumbling detective father Kogoro Mouri, and the inventor Professor Agasa. Later, Ai Haibara (a former Black Organization scientist) and Heiji Hattori (a rival detective) become key allies.

Is the Detective Conan manga finished?▼

No, the manga is still ongoing. It began serialization in 1994 and has over 100 volumes. While the overarching plot moves slowly, the series continues to produce new mystery cases and plot developments regarding the Black Organization.

What is the watch order for Detective Conan?▼

You can watch the anime series chronologically. The movies are generally non-canon standalone stories but are highly popular. For the main plot, it is recommended to follow a 'canon episode list' to skip fillers and focus on the Black Organization and character development arcs.

Is Detective Conan suitable for children?▼

Yes, it is generally considered a family-friendly show (Shonen demographic). However, it deals with murder mysteries and crimes in every episode. The violence is usually not graphic, but the themes of death and criminal motives are constant.

Who is the author of Detective Conan?▼

The series is written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama. He is one of the most successful manga artists in history, and Detective Conan is his magnum opus.

What is the Black Organization?▼

They are the primary antagonists of the series, a secretive international criminal syndicate. Members are given code names based on alcoholic beverages (e.g., Gin, Vodka, Vermouth). Their true goal remains one of the series' biggest mysteries.

Will Shinichi ever return to his original body?▼

He has returned to his teenage body temporarily on several occasions using a prototype antidote developed by Ai Haibara. However, these effects are short-lived. The final permanent cure is the ultimate goal of the series.

What are Conan's most famous gadgets?▼

Conan uses gadgets invented by Professor Agasa, most notably the Voice-Changing Bowtie (to impersonate voices), the Power-Enhancing Kick Shoes (to knock out criminals), and the Stun-Gun Wristwatch (to tranquilize Kogoro Mouri).

Why is it called 'Case Closed' in some regions?▼

Case Closed is the English localized title used in North America due to legal issues with the name 'Conan' (conflicts with Conan the Barbarian). However, the original title 'Detective Conan' is used in most other parts of the world.