The latest installment in the Detective Conan anime film series, Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback, has achieved a phenomenal box office success on its opening day. Released in Japan on April 18, 2025, the film grossed over 1.05 billion yen (approximately $7.39 million USD) with over 690,000 admissions, marking a stellar start and setting new benchmarks for the franchise. This article delves into the details of this achievement, the film’s plot, and other relevant information.
A Record-Breaking Start
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback has not only dominated the box office but also surpassed the opening day record set by its predecessor, Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram. The new film’s opening day revenue is approximately 109% of what The Million-Dollar Pentagram achieved, which eventually became the highest-grossing film in the series with over 15.8 billion yen. This impressive start indicates that One-Eyed Flashback is poised to become another major success in the Detective Conan franchise.
Widest Release in the Series
To ensure maximum reach, Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback was released in 522 theaters across Japan. This marks the widest release in the history of the Detective Conan anime film series. The film was also screened simultaneously in 55 IMAX theaters, 12 MX4D theaters, 62 4DX theaters, and 9 Dolby Cinema theaters, providing fans with a variety of immersive viewing experiences.
Plot Overview
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback centers around Nagano Prefectural Police officer Yamato Kansuke. The story begins with Yamato chasing a suspect in the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture. Distracted by an unexpected figure, Yamato is shot in the left eye, triggering a massive avalanche.
Ten months later, a researcher at the Nobeyama National Observatory is attacked. Yamato, having miraculously survived the avalanche, investigates the incident with his partner, Yui Uehara. During the investigation, Yamato’s injured left eye begins to ache severely when the observatory’s giant parabolic antenna starts moving.
Concurrently, Kogoro Mori receives a call from an old colleague nicknamed “Wani,” who is investigating the avalanche incident and mentions Kogoro’s name in the case file. As Kogoro and Conan head to meet Wani, they hear a gunshot, adding another layer of mystery to the plot.
Key Characters and Focus
The film places Detective Kogoro Mouri in the spotlight, involving him deeply in the central mystery. One-Eyed Flashback also shifts focus to secondary characters like Kansuke Yamato and the Nagano Prefectural Police trio, offering a rare glimpse into their backstories and personal struggles. This character-driven narrative provides a refreshing departure from the usual focus on Conan Edogawa.
Production Details
- Director: Katsuya Shigehara, who previously worked as a unit director on Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine, directs the film. This is his feature directorial debut.
- Screenplay: Takeharu Sakurai, who has written several Detective Conan films, including The Scarlet Bullet and Black Iron Submarine, pens the screenplay.
- Music: Yūgo Kanno is responsible for the film’s music.
- Animation Studio: TMS Entertainment animates the film, continuing their long-standing involvement with the Detective Conan series.
- Distribution: TOHO distributes the film.
Theme Song
The film’s theme song, “TWILIGHT!!!” is performed by the Japanese rock band King Gnu. The band is well-known for their hit song “Ichizu,” which served as the theme song for the anime film JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 in 2021. The official website released a second main trailer featuring the song, generating considerable excitement among fans.
Kogoro Mouri in the Spotlight
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback brings Detective Kogoro Mouri into sharp focus. The plot involves Mouri in the investigation of his colleague’s death, highlighting his pursuit of justice. The film emphasizes the importance of uncovering the “one and only truth,” playing with audience expectations within the established world of Detective Conan.
A Sleepless Premiere
In a unique promotional event, the film held a “Sleepless” world’s fastest screening on the day of its release, starting from midnight on April 18. This special screening took place in 23 theaters across 10 prefectures. Additionally, outdoor advertisements featuring Kogoro Mouri were displayed in five cities across Japan, further emphasizing his role in the film.
Reception and Anticipation
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback has garnered significant attention and anticipation from fans. The focus on Kansuke Yamato and other supporting characters, coupled with the series’ signature blend of mystery and emotional depth, has generated considerable buzz.
The film’s release coincides with the franchise’s enduring legacy, which has evolved over nearly three decades. The annual film releases have become a tradition, particularly during Golden Week, a series of national holidays in late April and early May.
Historical Box Office Success of the Detective Conan Franchise
The Detective Conan film series has consistently achieved remarkable box office success. Here’s a brief overview of some of the previous films and their achievements:
- Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram (2024): This film grossed over ¥15.8 billion ($100.51 million) in Japan, becoming the highest-grossing domestic film of 2024. It also achieved a record-breaking opening weekend with 2.27 million admissions and ¥3.35 billion in revenue.
- Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine (2023): This film earned ¥13.88 billion, making it one of the highest-grossing films in the franchise.
- Cumulative Box Office: As of 2024, the Detective Conan film series had cumulatively surpassed 100 million admissions, highlighting its enduring popularity.
Why This Movie Stands Out
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback distinguishes itself from previous installments in several ways:
- Focus on Supporting Characters: The film delves into the backstories of characters like Kansuke Yamato, offering a fresh perspective.
- Emotional Depth: The narrative explores the personal struggles and triumphs of these characters, adding emotional resonance.
- Unique Mystery: The plot involves elements such as an avalanche, an attack at an observatory, and a mysterious gunshot, creating a complex and engaging mystery.
Looking Ahead
With its record-breaking opening day and widest release in the series, Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback is poised to continue the franchise’s success. The film’s compelling plot, focus on key characters, and high production quality promise to captivate audiences and solidify its place in the Detective Conan legacy. As fans flock to theaters, it remains to be seen how high this film will climb in the box office charts, but its initial performance indicates a bright future.
