Detective Conan, also known as Case Closed outside Japan, is a Japanese detective manga and anime series created by Gosho Aoyama. Since its debut in 1994, it has grown into a global phenomenon, blending thrilling mystery, heart-pounding suspense, and a touch of romance—all centered around a teenage detective trapped in a child's body.

With hundreds of manga volumes, over 1000 anime episodes, and more than 25 movies, Detective Conan is one of the longest-running and most successful mystery franchises in the world.


The Premise: A Teen Detective Trapped in a Child's Body

The story begins with Shinichi Kudo, a 17-year-old high school student and brilliant detective. One day, while investigating a suspicious transaction, he’s attacked by two men in black and forced to ingest a mysterious drug—APTX 4869—intended to kill him.

Instead of dying, Shinichi’s body shrinks to that of a 7-year-old.

To hide his identity and investigate the secretive criminal organization that did this to him, Shinichi adopts a new name: Conan Edogawa—a combination of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes creator) and Edogawa Rampo (a famous Japanese mystery writer).

He moves in with his childhood friend Ran Mouri and her father, Kogoro Mouri, a bumbling private detective. While pretending to be a regular kid, Conan secretly solves case after case, hoping to someday regain his body and take down the organization that changed his life.


A New Mystery Every Episode

Each episode or manga chapter presents a new case: murder, kidnapping, theft, or fraud. Using his brilliant deductive mind, Conan pieces together clues and often uses tranquilizer darts and a voice changer to put Mouri to sleep and "solve" the case using his voice.

Despite the episodic format, the series also features an overarching plot involving:

  • The Black Organization – the crime syndicate behind the drug that shrank Shinichi

  • Haibara Ai – a former Black Organization scientist who also took the drug and joins Conan in his secret

  • The FBI and CIA – international agencies investigating the Black Organization

  • Romantic tensions – especially between Shinichi and Ran


Key Characters

  • Conan Edogawa / Shinichi Kudo – Genius detective, now in a child’s body

  • Ran Mouri – Shinichi’s childhood friend and love interest, skilled in karate

  • Kogoro Mouri – Ran’s father, a detective who unknowingly gets credit for Conan’s deductions

  • Ai Haibara / Shiho Miyano – Former Black Org scientist who becomes Conan’s ally

  • Heiji Hattori – A rival teenage detective from Osaka and a close friend of Shinichi

  • The Black Organization – Shadowy villains with code names like Gin, Vodka, Vermouth, and Rum


Movies and Popularity

Every year, Detective Conan releases a theatrical film, which consistently ranks among Japan's top box office hits. Recent entries like "The Bride of Halloween" (2022) and "The Million Dollar Pentagram" (2024) have shattered records.

With over 1000 episodes, the anime has become a Sunday staple in Japan, and the manga has sold over 270 million copies worldwide.


Themes and Legacy

Detective Conan combines classic detective storytelling (à la Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes) with modern action, spy thriller elements, and slice-of-life charm. It captures:

  • The thrill of mystery-solving

  • The emotional weight of secrets and lost time

  • The strength of friendships, romance, and perseverance

  • The ethical tension between justice and vengeance

It has inspired real-world escape rooms, spin-offs (Zero’s Tea Time, The Culprit Hanzawa), crossover specials (with Lupin III), and generations of fans who grew up watching Conan solve impossible crimes.


Will Shinichi Ever Return to Normal?

That’s the central mystery. Despite countless adventures, Conan remains trapped in his child body as he unravels deeper secrets about the Black Organization and its leaders. But each step forward brings him closer to the truth—and possibly a cure.


Final Thought

Detective Conan is more than just a detective story—it’s a deep, enduring tale of wit, justice, love, and identity. With clever puzzles, emotional depth, and long-term story arcs, it remains a masterpiece of the mystery genre.


“One truth prevails.” – Conan Edogawa