The latest Detective Conan movie, "Zero the Enforcer," has been a hot topic. Do you know how many Detective Conan movies have been released as of 2018? A whopping 22! Since 1997, a new movie has been released every April without a break. With so many movies to choose from, it can be overwhelming to watch them all, and even when watching on DVD, it can be hard to know which one to start with...so today we've ranked our top 10 recommended movies! This post contains spoilers, so we'll choose from 22 movies (including the Lupin collaboration), excluding "Zero the Enforcer," which has not yet been released on Blu-ray or DVD!
10th Place: The Phantom of Baker Street
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our pick for 10th place is "The Phantom of Baker Street," from the sixth film. This film focuses more on the adventures of children than on murders. The setting is a virtual world created by a virtual reality game console called "Cocoon." An artificial intelligence called "Noah's Ark" traps 50 children, including Conan, in a virtual space and forces them to take part in a life-threatening game.
Children Fight in the Virtual World
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
The mastermind behind the incident, "Noah's Ark," aims to use children who represent the future as hostages to participate in a game. With the exception of Ran, the children are all elementary school-aged children. Of the five stages, Conan and his friends choose "London, 1888." The goal is to complete the game in London during the time of serial killers Jack the Ripper and Professor Moriarty.
No. 9: Crimson Love Letter
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our ninth-place pick is the still-remembered 21st film, "Crimson Love Letter," released in 2017. The key figure is the West's famous detective, Heiji Hattori. The story revolves around the Hyakunin Isshu, a Japanese poem by one hundred poets. Aside from the murders, a battle between Kazuha and Momiji over Heiji unfolds at a Hyakunin Isshu tournament. What will the outcome be of the bombing incident and the battle between the women?
Who is Heiji's potential bride?! Who is Ooka Momiji?
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Ooka Momiji is a major character in this film. She is a high school Hyakunin Isshu champion and competes with Kazuha, insisting that she once promised to marry Heiji. In fact, the author has a particular passion for Momiji: big breasts! It's said that author Aoyama instructed Heiji to exclaim, "Wow! This girl has huge breasts!"
8th Place: The Raven Chaser
Source: Detective Conan ©Gosho Aoyama/Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our 8th place pick is "The Raven Chaser" from the 13th film. Speaking of the dark side, it's the Black Organization! The Black Organization plays a major role in this film. The member appearing this time goes by the code name Irish. We'll be keeping details such as her gender under wraps, but she's a formidable character, as seen in her ability to recognize Conan as Shinichi and her ability to fight Ran on equal terms in close combat.
Has Mouri Ran finally graduated from being human?!
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Ran always displays superhuman abilities with incredible leg and arm strength, but in this film she finally reaches the pinnacle of human stature. Her technique is to dodge bullets from close range! She watches the movement of the enemy's fingers and narrowly avoids the bullet... but when she thinks, "I can't do it with a rifle, but maybe with a handgun..." it seems that Ran has graduated from being human.
7th Place: Dimensional Sniper
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
7th place goes to "Dimensional Sniper," the 18th film in the Detective Conan series. This film commemorates the 20th anniversary of the series' serialization and was selected as an Outstanding Animated Feature at the Japan Academy Awards. As the subtitle suggests, "Sniper from Another Dimension," the highlight this time is a sniper showdown from an ultra-long distance.
The true identity of the top-tier sniper, "Silver Bullet"...
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Even in a movie featuring ultra-long-range combat, the ultimate sniper is known as "Silver Bullet," a character whose nickname is "Silver Bullet." Silver Bullet was the nickname used by the Black Organization, and the person who bore that name was Akai Shuichi. However, the true identity of the skilled sniper that Conan saw was Okiya Subaru. A crucial scene involving Akai Shuichi and Okiya Subaru appears at the end of the film.
6th Place: Countdown to Heaven
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our sixth-place pick is "Countdown to Heaven" from the fifth film in the Detective Conan series. The tower, which frequently appears in the Conan films, is once again the setting for this film. A murder and a large-scale explosion occur there. In the shadows, Gin and Vodka appear... The Detective Boys, left behind in the tower after the explosion, attempt a desperate escape.
The Detective Boys save Ai Haibara's life
Source: Detective Conan ©Gosho Aoyama/Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
The highlight of Countdown to Heaven is the final scene in which the Detective Boys escape from the tower. Honestly, it's no exaggeration to say that this scene alone earned it 6th place. Haibara tries to sacrifice herself to ensure her friends escape, but Genta and Mitsuhiko show their manliness and save her. The lines they utter at this moment are incredibly cool, so don't miss it!
5th Place: Crossroads in the Labyrinth
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our fifth place pick is the seventh film in the Detective Conan series, "Crossroads in the Labyrinth." This film is set in Kyoto, so of course, Heiji Hattori and his friends appear in it. Detective Conan often features cases involving guns and tricks, but this latest installment features sword fights. Heiji, whose parents are both sword masters and who himself hones his skills in the kendo club, puts on a great show against numerous enemies.
Shinichi and Ran Reunite After a Long Time
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
In addition to Heiji's action, there's another reason to recommend this film! While the two characters rarely see each other, usually only making phone calls using voice changers, in this film there are scenes where they actually meet face-to-face and interact. Shinichi pulls Ran into the shade of a tree to hide from the enemy. It's a thrilling scene, as the two are so close.
4th Place: The Darkest Nightmare
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our fourth-place pick is "The Darkest Nightmare" from the fourth movie. Detective Sato's own actions caused him to be shot and seriously injured, nearly to the point of death...and Ran, who witnessed the incident and was so shocked, lost her memory and became a fragile woman. However, just before she lost her memory, Ran saw the face of the culprit, and so begins a battle between the culprit who is trying to kill Ran and Conan and his friends who try to protect her.
Ran Has Become an Ordinary Beautiful Woman
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
The key to this movie is undoubtedly Ran, who has lost her memory. While the main focus of the film is the conflict surrounding Ran, what really caught our attention wasn't the incident itself, but the transformation of Ran after losing her memory! She has no connection to martial arts and speaks politely even to her parents, allowing us to see the "gentle Ran" that we never see in TV anime. Also keep an eye on Ran's mother, Hime, who returns home as a family for Ran's sake.
3rd Place: The Last Wizard of the Century
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our third pick is "The Last Wizard of the Century," from the third film in the Detective Conan series. As the title suggests, this film also features the phantom thief Kid. Kid's target is the "Imperial Easter Egg," a legacy of the Romanov dynasty. However, an internationally wanted criminal known as Scorpion is also after the inheritance. Conan, Heiji, Kid Scorpion. A battle between the four detectives and the phantom thief begins.
Two Shinichis? A Surprising Final Scene
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Detective Conan regularly features scenes where Ran almost discovers that Conan is Shinichi, and this is also the case at the end of this film. Conan realizes he can't deny it, but then Shinichi appears, to his surprise. The scene leaves viewers in shock along with Conan and Ran.
2nd Place: Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our second-place pick is this collaboration with Lupin the Third! It was released between the 17th and 18th films. Lupin the Third fans will likely choose this as their number one pick. All of Lupin the Third's popular characters come together in Detective Conan. And of course, that woman from Lupin the Third who's fascinated by the anti-aging elixir... It's a miraculous collaboration with the 1967 classic.
Check out the cross-genre pairings, like Conan and Jigen!
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
When it comes to collaborations, one thing you can't miss is the interaction between characters from different works. One of the most unexpected pairings is Conan and Jigen. Jigen recognizes Conan as Shinichi, while Conan calls Jigen "Dad." Their interaction, like a comedy duo, is a must-see. Of course, the interaction between Haibara and Fujiko Mine is also a must-see.
No. 1: The Clock Tower's Skyscraper
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Our top pick goes to the memorable first film, "The Clock Tower's Skyscraper"! Although it was aired over 20 years ago in 1997, many people will remember it fresh, and that's no surprise, as it is a masterpiece that has been broadcast on television four times in the past. "Clockwork" refers to a time bomb, and the story of this film revolves around defusing time bombs placed in various locations.
A Memorable Final Scene
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
Of course, the final scenes in every series are memorable, but this one is especially special! The scene where Conan (the voice of Shinichi) gives instructions through the door while Ran defuses the time bomb is a classic. Even during the bomb defusal, there are surprising scenes that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Incidentally, Ran's final words at the end will leave you feeling a whole new level of excitement.
Detective Conan: Recommended Movie Rankings
Source: Detective Conan © Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS
We've introduced the rankings so far, but the rankings may vary depending on the viewer. Of course, the rankings may change if the latest film, "Zero the Enforcer," is included. If you have many films you haven't seen yet and are unsure which to watch first, we hope this will be helpful. We especially recommend the films introduced in 1st and 2nd place, so please give them a watch!
