The highly anticipated 29th Detective Conan anime film has officially been announced, revealing that it will center on the formidable Kanagawa Prefectural Police Assistant Inspector, Chihaya Hagiwara. The movie is slated to hit Japanese theaters during Golden Week in April 2026 and will feature Miyuki Sawashiro taking over the role of Chihaya.
The announcement follows a teaser at the end of the previous film, Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback, which hinted at Hagiwara’s prominent role.
Chihaya Hagiwara Takes Center Stage
Chihaya Hagiwara, an assistant inspector from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police and the leader of its motorcycle division, will be a primary focus of the upcoming film. This marks a swift rise for the character, who debuted in the manga in File 1073 and in anime episodes 1098-1099, making her the fastest character to become a main feature film protagonist just four years after her manga introduction.
Known for her discerning nature, Chihaya has demonstrated a keen sense of observation, even seeing through Conan’s “Sleeping Kogoro” trick. She is depicted as a kind individual who trusts Conan, yet possesses an aggressive side, capable of reckless driving similar to her late brother Kenji Hagiwara. The film is also notable for marking the first time in 19 years that Ran Mouri will be a main character in a film, alongside Chihaya, making it the first Detective Conan movie to focus solely on female main characters. Jugo Yokomizo, another police character, is also expected to play a significant role.
What the Teaser Reveals
A “super teaser trailer” accompanying the announcement features the new voice of Chihaya Hagiwara, Miyuki Sawashiro, asking, “What was it that you wanted to say that day?” The brief clip also includes a suspenseful bomb countdown and shows falling feathers being scorched by flames, hinting at a potentially explosive and emotionally charged narrative. Adding to the intrigue, trivia for the film suggests that “The Trembling Police Headquarters: 12 Million Hostages,” one of the series’ most dangerous bomb cases, will be referenced again.
Miyuki Sawashiro, a veteran voice actress, steps into the role of Chihaya, taking over from the late Atsuko Tanaka.
A Celebration of 30 Years of Anime
The 29th Detective Conan film is not just another installment; it is a commemorative work celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Detective Conan anime. The franchise, based on Gosho Aoyama’s long-running manga, has released an annual film since 1997 (with the exception of 2020), consistently delivering high-octane mysteries and character-driven stories to its dedicated fanbase.
The previous film, Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback, directed by Katsuya Shigehara and written by Takeharu Sakurai, achieved significant box office success, becoming the second highest-grossing Japanese film of 2025. It focused on the Nagano Prefectural Police trio and set new franchise records for its opening weekend earnings. Fans can anticipate the 29th film to continue this tradition of engaging storytelling and thrilling action.
