If Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot had a love child, who also happened to be a teenager trapped in the body of an elementary schooler, that would be Detective Conan. Created by the manga artist Gosho Aoyama, Detective Conan first appeared in 1994, and is a tribute to some of the greatest detective fiction writers, as well as an avenue for Aoyama to establish his own approach to the genre. The TV series premiered in 1996.
Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine is set to release in theatres today, and we decided to give you a quick crash course introduction to Aoyama’s world.
The protagonist is a prodigious high school student, and Sherlock Holmes fan, named Shinichi Kudo. He has an uncanny ability for deductive reasoning, as well as an insatiable curiosity. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Shinichi crosses paths with a nefarious criminal syndicate known as the Black Organisation, and is forcibly fed a mysterious poison that is intended to kill him. Instead, to his astonishment, Shinichi undergoes a bizarre transformation. His youthful body regresses to that of a child, while his intellect remains unscathed.
Now, a cute little elementary schooler, Shinichi confides in his family friend Professor Agasa, and adopts the pseudonym Conan Edogawa — derived from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edogawa Ranpo — two legends in the detective genre. He takes up residence with his childhood friend, Ran Mouri, and her father, Kogoro Mauri, who is an irresponsible, and often distracted private investigator. With the help of Agasa’s gadgets, Conan uses his encyclopaedic knowledge, sharp observation, and logical reasoning to solve intricate crimes in Mouri’s stead.
The tributes to Doyle and Ranpo are obvious. Aoyama also uses the name Kogoro which was originally Ranpo’s character. But Aoyama also adorns Detective Conan with Agatha Christie’s signature Poirot style faceoffs, Ian Fleming’s Bond style gadget-love and climaxes, the elegance of Nancy Drew, and the sobriety and candour of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. From classic whodunits, to Columbo (1968) style “inverted mysteries’’, Aoyama has enough command of the genre to not only use these references generously, but to manipulate them enough to offer something original.
The mysteries in Detective Conan, which are pursued with child-like curiosity, but are sophisticated in the way they unfold, are crafted to serve both a young and an adult audience. Much like Columbo, it also delves into the inner lives of its characters. Conan's dual existence presents a poignant dichotomy: a brilliant mind trapped in a child's body, yearning for normalcy, while embracing his role as a silent guardian of justice. As he navigates his unusual predicament, his relationships with those around him deepen.
As you step into the world of Detective Conan, prepare to be ensnared by labyrinthine mysteries and endearing characters, and whether you are a seasoned connoisseur of detective stories, or rookie sleuth, Detective Conan has something for everyone.
Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine is in theatres today.