by The long-running anime Detective Conan, famous for its iconic opening line “Looks like a kid, but has the mind of an adult,” has officially entered its 30th anniversary year. First broadcast in January 1996, the series continues to air every Saturday evening, captivating multiple generations of viewers with its clever mysteries, memorable characters, and emotional storytelling.
To mark this milestone, the production team has unveiled a series of special anniversary projects, beginning with a one-hour special titled “The Story Before He Became Conan.” In addition, large-scale collaborations with events such as the Birdman Contest and the J.League have also been announced, signaling a celebratory year unlike any before.
A Brief Introduction for Newcomers
Detective Conan is based on the manga by Gosho Aoyama, which has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 1994. The story follows high school detective Kudo Shinichi, who is forced to ingest a mysterious poison by a shadowy organization. Instead of dying, his body shrinks into that of a child.
Taking the alias Edogawa Conan, Shinichi continues solving complex cases while hiding his true identity, living at the Mouri Detective Agency alongside his childhood friend Ran and her father, private detective Kogoro Mouri.
One-Hour Special: “Episode ‘ZERO’ – The Kudo Shinichi Aquarium Incident”
As the opening event of the anniversary year, a one-hour TV special aired earlier this month titled “Episode ‘ZERO’ – Kudo Shinichi Aquarium Incident.” The episode depicts Shinichi and Ran visiting an aquarium together, portraying a key moment before Shinichi became Conan.
Although a similar theme appeared in a 2015 episode, the production team chose to revisit this origin story to reintroduce the emotional foundation of the series.
Producer Takashi Yoshida explained:
“There are many viewers who didn’t start watching from the very beginning. Since this is the 30th anniversary, we wanted to return to the origin of Shinichi and Ran’s relationship — the heart of Detective Conan.”
This approach not only appeals to longtime fans but also serves as a perfect entry point for new viewers discovering the series for the first time.
From Childhood Viewer to Producer: Yoshida’s Journey
Yoshida revealed that he personally watched Detective Conan’s very first broadcast while he was still in elementary school. The shocking opening case a murder on a moving roller coaster — left a deep impression on him.
“It felt like I was peeking into a thrilling adult world,” he recalled.
That early fascination led him to devour the original manga, eventually join the company, and later become a producer in July 2012. His personal history with the series plays a major role in how he approaches production today.
Anime-Original Episodes: Expanding the World Carefully
One of the defining features of the Detective Conan anime is its large number of original episodes not found in the manga. According to Yoshida, great care is taken when developing these stories.
“We’re always conscious of not damaging the image of the characters,” he said. “At the same time, we try to show new expressions and sides of them that only animation can offer.”
At script meetings, writers pitch ideas from various angles — some focus on specific characters, while others start with elaborate tricks. Even then, Yoshida admits to being constantly reminded of Aoyama’s genius.
“When we come up with a trick, we often realize it’s already been done in the original manga. That’s when you truly feel the greatness of the source material.”
Strong Bonds Behind the Scenes: Voice Actors and Staff
Another lesser-known aspect of the production is the close relationship between the voice actors and the staff. After weekly recording sessions, informal dinners are sometimes held, where actors share insights based on their characters’ perspectives.
These discussions have real influence on the show. Since only about six months have passed within the story world despite nearly 30 years of broadcasting, actors often provide advice on how characters’ relationships and emotional distances should feel.
Such feedback is carefully reflected in the final animation, helping maintain consistency and emotional authenticity.
Big Anniversary Collaborations on the Way
Looking ahead, the 30th anniversary will feature unique collaborations outside the anime world, including:
- A special partnership with the Birdman Contest, one of Japan’s most famous engineering competitions
- A nationwide collaboration with the J.League, bringing Detective Conan into the world of professional football
These projects aim to broaden the series’ cultural footprint and celebrate its long-standing popularity across generations.
Why “Detective Conan” Still Thrives After 30 Years
Even after three decades, Detective Conan remains relevant because it continuously balances:
- Clever mystery-solving
- Strong character relationships
- Emotional storytelling
- Respect for its original source
With anniversary specials, ambitious collaborations, and a production team deeply connected to the series, Detective Conan is not just celebrating its past it is actively building its future.
As the 30th anniversary unfolds, fans old and new can look forward to many more cases, surprises, and heartfelt moments from the world’s most famous pint-sized detective.
