The Detective Conan franchise is marking its 30th anniversary with a pair of significant television projects. During a recent livestream, producers revealed that an original special, The Misohitojima Murder Case, will invite viewers to participate in the investigation by deducing the culprit themselves. This marks a first for the long-running series, utilizing a concept developed by director Yasuichirō Yamamoto and a script from franchise veteran Takahiro Ōkura.
In addition to the interactive project, the franchise is returning to the "Kinyō Roadshow" programming block on NTV with The Counterfeit Case of Ultra 30. Airing on September 25, this two-hour event represents the first special of its length in a decade. The plot follows Conan and Heiji as they investigate a national threat involving counterfeit currency, tracking the source from the National Printing Bureau in Nagano to Osaka. The production also features a guest appearance by actress Elaiza Ikeda.
Since its debut in 1996, the Detective Conan television series has remained a staple of Japanese animation, consistently supported by an expansive film series. While the franchise maintains a massive presence in Japan, international audiences continue to engage with the property through Viz Media’s ongoing manga releases, which are localized as Case Closed. With these new specials, the production team is clearly leaning into the franchise's legacy while experimenting with new ways for the audience to interact with Conan's signature deduction-based storytelling.
