While recent announcements for the Detective Conan anime’s 30th-anniversary celebrations highlight new musical contributions, the iconic rock duo B’z continues to hold a significant and cherished place in the series’ extensive musical history. Their most recent opening theme for the long-running anime was “SLEEPLESS,” which premiered in early 2022, underscoring their ongoing impact on the beloved franchise.
As Detective Conan celebrates three decades on air in 2026, discussions around its memorable theme songs frequently feature B’z, a testament to their consistent and powerful contributions.
B’z’s Deep Connection with Detective Conan’s Sound
The collaboration between B’z, comprising guitarist Takahiro “Tak” Matsumoto and vocalist Koshi Inaba, and the Detective Conan anime dates back years, with the duo delivering numerous high-energy and emotionally resonant tracks for both the television series and its blockbuster films. Their distinctive hard rock sound has become synonymous with many of Conan Edogawa’s thrilling deductions and high-stakes adventures.
A History of Iconic Opening Themes
B’z has provided several memorable opening themes that have become fan favorites over the years. These include:
- “Girigiri chop”: One of their earliest contributions, serving as the 6th opening theme from episodes 143 to 167.
- “Shōdō”: The 17th opening theme, featured from episodes 425 to 437, known for its driving energy.
- “Don’t Wanna Lie”: This track served as the 31st opening theme (episodes 613-626) and was also famously the ending theme for the 15th Detective Conan movie, Quarter of Silence.
- “Q&A”: The 36th opening theme, heard from episodes 696 to 717.
- “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru” (The World Becomes Your Color): This powerful song was the 43rd opening theme (episodes 817-844) and also the main theme for the 20th movie, The Darkest Nightmare.
“SLEEPLESS”: B’z’s Most Recent Opening Contribution
The most recent opening theme provided by B’z for the television anime is “SLEEPLESS,” which premiered on January 8, 2022, as the 55th opening. This track continued the band’s tradition of delivering impactful music that perfectly complements the anime’s mystery and action. “SLEEPLESS” was later released as a digital single in June 2022 and included in their album “Highway X” in August 2022.
B’z’s Influence Beyond Openings
Beyond the television series’ opening themes, B’z has also left an indelible mark on the Detective Conan film franchise with their contributions to several movie themes:
- “ONE”: Featured in the 3rd movie, The Last Wizard of the Century.
- “Everlasting”: The theme for the 6th movie, The Phantom of Baker Street.
- “Yuruginai Mono Hitotsu”: The theme for the 10th movie, The Private Eyes’ Requiem.
- “Don’t Wanna Lie”: Also used for the 15th movie, Quarter of Silence.
- “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru”: The theme for the 20th movie, The Darkest Nightmare.
Koshi Inaba, the vocalist of B’z, has also contributed solo works to the franchise, including “Hane” as an opening theme and “Overture” as a closing theme.
Current Musical Landscape of Detective Conan
While B’z’s “SLEEPLESS” remains their most recent opening, the Detective Conan anime’s musical lineup is always evolving. For the current broadcast period in early 2026, the anime is featuring “Poker Face” by Amyuri as its 60th opening theme. Additionally, the series is set to introduce a new ending theme, “TOWA: Eikyū ni Kaze ni Noru” (TOWA: Riding on the Winds for Eternity), performed by Mai Kuraki, which will begin airing on January 10, 2026.
The Detective Conan franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 with various projects, including special episodes and concerts. A one-hour special titled Episode “ZERO” The Shinichi Kudo Aquarium Case, which aired on January 3, 2026, notably featured the anime’s very first opening (“Mune ga Dokidoki” by The High-Lows) and ending themes (“STEP BY STEP” by ZIGGY), evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for long-time fans.
The enduring partnership between B’z and Detective Conan highlights the band’s lasting influence on anime music, with their powerful songs continuing to define pivotal moments in the series for millions of fans worldwide.
