Kudo Shinichi is a seventeen year-old high school detective whom people call the "Modern Sherlock
Holmes." However, one night after a date with his childhood sweetheart, Ran, Shinichi witnessed an
illegal trade and, caught off his guard, was knocked unconscious and fed a drug that was supposed to
kill him... but he woke up and found himself shrunken to a seven year-old. In order to track down the
men who did this to him, Shinichi hid his identity and lived with Ran, whose father happened to be a
hopeless detective, and with that came a series of murders and mysteries that he must solve.
(Source: Anime News Network)
Note:
- Includes Keisatsu Gakkou-hen - Wild Police Story in episodes 1029, 1038, 1042, 1061
- Episodes 11, 52, 76, 118, 162, 184, 208, 342, 356, 449, 452, 487, 488, 489, 490, 515, 516, 521,
522, 651, 734, 804, 805, 927, 928 aired with a runtime of ~50 minutes as opposed to the standard 25
minute long episode.
- Episodes 96, 129, 174, 219, 263, 304, 383, 479 aired with a runtime of ~90 minutes as opposed to
the standard 25 minute long episode.
- Episode 345, 425 aired with a runtime of ~115 minutes as opposed to the standard 25 minute long
episode.
Detective Conan is, in my eyes, one of the best anime ever. __Story__ - 10/10 The story is magical. It's fantasy, it's realistic, it's sci-fi, it's simply everything I could wish for. The main plot keeps twisting and turning, giving it a sense of freshness as it never gets stale or boring. The amount of foreshadowing in this anime/manga is admirable, like plot points from 400 episodes ago connecting to present plot points, or hints from 500 chapters ago finally paying off --- there are many "aha!" moments that viewers with a keen eye always get rewarded with. I would even go so for as to say that Gosho Aoyama is a MASTER when it comes to these things. I don't want to go into spoiler territory. The individuality of each 'case', the different motives that lead people to murder and assault, the mix of humor and seriousness - all of this is perfectly packaged. __Characters__ - 10/10 The characters come in many facets. Characters who are selfless, characters who are smart, dumb, cunning, happy-go-lucky, depressed -- they come in all varieties. The amount of character development some characters get is astounding in my eyes. I can't really say a lot here as I'm afraid I might go into spoiler territory again. __Visuals__ - 8/10 Detective Conan has a charming, recognizable artstyle. It progressively gets better and better as technology advances, which you will notice while watching the episodes. The animations themselves have recently begun to be a little... bad because the studio seems to be wanting to save some cash, however I don't think it's bad enough to lower the score immensely. __Music__ - 10/10 The music is just about what you'd expect from this type of anime. It has a lot of jazz elements and really helps with the immersion. I still have some themes from 2004 stuck in my head, that is how beautiful it is. Be it suspenseful themes, music while Shinichi Kudo is deducing, or sad music while the murder admits their doings.. there is always something great playing in the background. __Voice acting__ - 9.5/10 The characters have recognizable voices which suit them. The children sound like children, teenagers sound like teenagers, and grown-ups and elderly also sound just like you'd imagine them to sound. The acting itself never had any problems in my eyes.
My English isn't pretty good, but it doesn't matter now, what matters is that I can convey the feeling... right? I've nothing to do right now, so I'm gonna write this review~ img(https://i.imgur.com/IUZWzrm.jpeg) I met Detective Conan aka Case Closed aka 名探偵コナン aka Meitantei Conan in 2016, Coincidentally, I went back to talk to a friend and he insisted that I watch Conan, so after much insistence I saw the first episode, and ok, it was good, however, I really didn't expect what the series would become afterwards. And today, 2020, I've rewatched Case Closed 3 times. Once a year I rewatch. And no, I'm not crazy. I'm normal. Don't be alarmed by the size of the series, as soon as you get used to it, and if you skip the fillers, there will be 350 fewer episodes for you to watch. Detective Conan has the best worldbuilding I've seen. However, you may find the series tiring, as it is slow (It was not my case). The anime starts to work from episode 128, with the first plot twist, but the first 200 episodes are, practically, a cast presentation. The introduction of characters. From episodes 300, the series begins to reach its peak, lasting until around episodes 800. The story is perfectly connected, even using developed questions in episode 200, for example, there in episode 700. The way the author fits his work is sensational. Conan's universe is rich in a small box. The story revolves around only one city, of course you'll get to know other places throughout the series like Osaka, but the focus is Beika, and that city is so developed that you will know it like the back of your hand. Conan keeps evolving and never stops, it's crazy how Conan gets better, better and better with each episode and with each arc. And on top of that it's a series that involves almost every kind of genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Psychological, Adventure, Action, Mystery, everything! The author creates, solves and connects everything. And you've no idea how beautiful he can connect. ____ ~~~img(https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/nx235-1DSGhkPis9DU.jpg)~~~ Look how many characters this anime uses (and there are still more, much more that were presented after). And they're all great characters. A good portion of them are developed in certain arcs that the series has, and many of them are also used frequently. There are all kinds of characters. Character development is something that won't be missing without a doubt. Case Closed even develops secondary characters. There are many secondary characters in Detective Conan who have a complete development without even needing it. Detective Conan is a slow series, so you'll need to be patient as much to see the development of the characters as well as the plot progression. It's something that won't end in a single episode, it will be developed little by little. However, there are some episodes that would be called "climax" episodes, special episodes, including some that close some of the series' arcs or that are very important and impactful. I usually say that Conan is similar to Gintama. But... is that one is comedy and the other is more focused on mystery. ____ Here we go, __Detective Conan has 3 universes: Magic Kaito, Movies and Main Series (Detective Conan TV)__. img(https://i.imgur.com/gOXrlqz.jpeg) ~~~__Kaito Kid__~~~ _Kaito Kuroba is an ordinary teenage student whose father is often absent. When his father dies in mysterious circumstances, he discovers his father's secret identity: a famous international criminal known as International Criminal 1412: the Phantom Thief, and that he was murdered by a mysterious organization for refusing to help them recover their "Pandora Gem", a mystical stone that fell during the passage of a comet (often called "Volley Comet"), whose consumption confers immortality. He promises to prevent the organization from gaining immortality, assumes his father's identity and begins his search for the treasure._ The Kaito who uses magic has his own series, Magic Kaito 1412. The one who doesn't use it is in Detective Conan. Magic Kaito's universe needs to be different, because the Kaito in Magic Kaito 1412 uses magic, but magic in Conan would be a plothole, so it was necessary to separate the universes. In MK, he uses magic, but in Conan he needs to use tricks. Kaito was initially a crossover, but the series turned him into a Detective Conan character. If you watch Conan, you'll someday understand why. And relax, is the same character. The only difference is: __one uses magic and the other doesn't.__ ___ ~~~__Movies__~~~ In a way you can watch them without seeing the anime series, as it is like a separate and non-canonical story, but it uses the plot of the series, even the current films already have a lot of spoilers. The films are becoming more and more canon, the author is trying to connect certain moments of some films and fit them into the main series. ~~~img(https://i.imgur.com/df5x87B.jpeg) The films have their own stories and more focused on action, like, you know, BAAM BOOM YEAHH!!!! Good animation here and there and much better produced. They're inferior to the main series, but it doesn't mean that it's bad, they're also great. While the series focus on mystery, the movies on the other hand like to focus in action. It's a good dynamic in my opinion. From the date I do this review, there are 23 movies and 24th will be released next month in cinema. 1 film per year. And https://anilist.co/anime/98604/Detective-Conan-Episode-One--The-Great-Detective-Turned-Small/ Detective Conan: Episode One. __Do NOT start here.__ This is a remake of the first episode, but narrated by several different places, what or where everything was happening on the same day as the first episode of the series. There will be many character spoilers and revelations. Not to mention that it will totally break your immersion and much of your experience. It's a Special made to feel more nostalgic, __only watch it when you arrive at about the 800th episode.__~~~ ____ ~~~img(https://external-preview.redd.it/LhWmTmXaUeA0GVL7UBld7VWgIvqr-s_NV91PcIpUzJ4.jpg?auto=webp&s=2246c3050fa7039207c2b8fd1b37e3674c0aaa8d)~~~ There are people who prefer the old animation and others who prefer the current one. I like both. The old one has its own charm img(https://i.imgur.com/V6D5VqO.jpeg) I like both. img(https://i.imgur.com/46PdozC.png) The animation starts well, gets worse, but gets better. Episodes 1-300 = Good 400-600 = Average 700~Current = Great ___ __~~~OST/Soundtrack~~~__ One of the best I've seen as well. Over 6 hours of soundtrack, 51 openings and I don't even know how many endings, but they're all recognizable, Conan's ost is unique. They use a lot of the same singers too. Mai Kuraki, B'z and Breakerz are the main names for Detective Conan for music. The best known of Conan's soundtrack comes from the Saxophone. The most iconic sound in the series. ~~~__Main Theme__~~~ ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiBJUPN1Fxc)~~~ ~~~__Mai Kuraki__~~~ ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayUXFFyVVtQ)~~~ ~~~__Breakerz__~~~ ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GnxKL0wlIY)~~~ ___ Urgh, I'm done. You have a timeline where you can create endless theories and debate with your friends, including solving cases and feeling the joy of everything you thought was being said and solved, you feel like a real detective! In conclusion, that's it. In my opinion, I really don't think there should be an anime that can beat this one for me! An incredible universe where anything can happen and be connected. This work is great, as much as worldbuilding as much as story, and it's very worthwhile. Thank you, Detective Conan! And watch it!
Detective Conan can be considered a national sensation... in Japan. Even when the show is one of the longest running shows airing, when the manga sells fantastically, or even when there is a entire town (Tottori) based of it, its just not known that well in the west. But why is that? Its most likely due to how different the show was compared to the other simpler shonen shows like dbz and naruto. Children didn't need to think for themselves, and have deeper themes, they just wanted to see a good fight. Nothing wrong with that, but I think it was a shame that it never became a part of most kids childhoods as those other shows did. I came across this show through netflix. I find the mysteries infinitely re-watchable. I won't pretend like I can solve the mysteries, but its still satisfying to see the end verdict. How each story is structured is ultimately the same, but it stays great. Conan and the gang hang out and play, then they come across a mystery of some sort. Conan needs to use this child body of his to his advantage and catch the lies of the suspects. Knocking out Kogorou with a sleep dart of sorts, and use change his voice to deliver the verdict. Of course there is some change, but every time this happens it still feels fresh, due to the incredible schemes the suspects come up with as they confess everything and shout out to the world their reasoning, and either feel sorry after learning the truth, or are still convinced of their conviction. The characters of the show are some of the industries best. Shinichi who tries to act cool like a legendary detective, but has to go through extra struggle in his child versions. Ran, his childhood friend and lover is really tough for having to be separated from shinichi for soo long. There are many more memorable characters like the infamous KAITO KID, and Haibara. The sound track is incredible and fits it perfectly. That piano on the higher parts, and that smooth and sounding jazz on the low and soft spoken parts. The endings basically all revolve around ran and her longing to be with shinichi. The openings an be really hype like the newest one, Makka Na Lip, which is really in the style of detective Conan. Conan is undisputedly a cultural icon of Japan and Anime. There are soo many iconic parts about him and the story. His equipment like his voice changing bow tie, his special glasses, his watch, the high power shoes that can produce a soccer ball, and his skateboard. His design exudes style of someone trying to be a cool detective, and it works. Some other iconic parts about the series as a whole, the way the suspects are shrouded in a black tone, reoccurring story elements like Sleeping kogorou, and the ALELE? You might be quick to think that there is no plot at all, but each individual mystery contributes to the growth of the characters as a whole. The best parts are the mainly story bits sprinkled through the chapters. But even if there is no huge overarching story, the individual mysteries are what keep me coming back, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This is the show that separated the mainstream from the obscure, even if its not obscure in Japan.
I'll be referring to Case Closed as Detective Conan from now on, since I've been accustomed to
calling it the latter.
Detective Conan is unique to me in the aspect that it has accompanied me on my anime journey from
start to finish. Granted, it's still airing and hit 1000 episodes just a few weeks ago, (hooray!), but
the fact that such a long-running anime has retained my attention really says something about it,
don't you think?
Before I start, let me get a few things out of the way. Firstly, there will be minor spoilers from
this point on. Second, I will include a Tl;DR at the very end for those who just want a quick-and-easy
framework summary. Lastly, I haven't rewatched any older episodes save a few really good arcs, so my
synopsis or certain references may be inaccurate. If that's the case, please let me know and I'll fix
it.
**Plot:** Basically, a super intelligent detective, Kudo Shinichi, is attacked by the Black
Organization after investigating a case and is given a drug that turned him into a child. He then
continues to solve cases like the master detective he is under a new identity -- Edogawa Conan -- all
the while meeting new people and getting closer to dismantling the Black Organization.
Although intriguing, the simple fact is that the plot moves at an *incredibly* slow pace.
The general episode format is: Approx. 50 episodes or so with a few character
introductions/multi-episode cases sprinkled in, then a major plot/development arc, followed by another
50 episodes or so. Occasionally there will be re-runs or remastered episodes, but I'd say those are
few and rare in between. If you're someone who wants a fast-paced anime, then this is probably now an
anime you'll like. Patience is a necessity if you ever choose to watch Detective Conan.
**Characters:** There's a bunch. If you watch at a reasonable pace, you'll have no trouble remembering
them all and their respective significance in the story, but if you really want to understand the
whole plot, watch all of the anime or none of it. Characters are constantly added, so to stay on top
of the game, one must also be up-to-date with the newest character developments.
Speaking of character development, there's also a bit of romance involved. Rare, perhaps, but it's
there.
Trust me, it looks more intimidating than it really is.
**Art:** Given that this series started in 1996, I'd say it's a bit hard to compare the art
consistency for all episodes. For me, there were three major art styles throughout the episodes. One
is the retro and immediately nostalgic style in the first few hundred episodes. Then comes a slight
change in quality and character design around the 400 to 500 ish mark, and finally, around episode 750
or so, the art starts looking clearer and more refined. Personally, I prefer the more clean look
current episodes give, but don't expect crisp, clean, and contemporary-styled art from the get-go when
starting this series.
**Sound:** I don't remember the OP and ED songs that much since there were literally so many of them,
but the jazz OST is pretty damn good. Background music isn't really a problem, but after a while,
you'll begin to remember them and be able to predict when they start playing.
Edit: I listened to like 4 hours of the OP's and realized I was completely wrong about all the
openings being generic. Some definitely are, but others are distinct, like Butterfly Core.
**Enjoyment:** This is where review on shows like this have a massive downside, in my eyes. I
absolutely enjoyed the living hell out of this show, but that's me. I know the high episode count
inflated with hundreds of filler episodes may deter some people from watching it, but to be completely
honest, I didn't mind the fillers.
If you do want to get a taste for what Detective Conan is all about but the 1000 episodes seems
daunting (which it is), then perhaps start with the movies. They're not canon as far as I know, but at
least you'll get a gauge of what the anime is like. However, if you plan to watch Detective Conan
solely for the characters and plot, prepare to be greatly disappointed, since sitting through the
episodes would be like watching paint dry for you. If you're just a casual watcher who loves some
mystery though, I can almost guarantee you you'll love this anime. This show is more about a detective
solving mysteries with a bit of plot development than a plot-driven story centered around a detective
solving cases.
**Case Closed.**
TL;DR: Plot is slow, Characters are a bit above average, Art varies, Sound is generally good, but not
a show for everyone. Make sure you have a strong determination to watch it all as well as an interest
for crimes and detectives solving them.