This 28th Detective Conan film is off to a phenomenal start, outperforming all previous movies in the series during its opening weekend. Everyone is now watching to see just how high it can go. To give you an idea of its potential, the previous movie, Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, became the highest-grossing film in Japan for the entire year of 2024, earning a massive 15.8 billion yen by the end of its cinema run. If Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Movie keeps up this pace, it could potentially surpass even that incredible number.
One reason for this huge success might be that Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Movie is being shown in more cinemas than any other Detective Conan film before it. This wider release means more people have the chance to see it, contributing to its record-breaking ticket sales.
Behind the scenes, Katsuya Shigehara is directing this movie, marking his first time as the main director for a Conan film. He’s not new to the world of Conan though, as he previously worked as a unit director on Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine in 2022. The screenplay is written by Takeharu Sakurai, a familiar name to Conan fans. Sakurai has written several past Conan movies, including Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet from 2021.
This new movie shines a spotlight on Kogoro Mōri, Conan’s guardian and Ran’s dad, who is known for being a detective, though not always the most brilliant one! The story unfolds in the beautiful Nagano Prefecture, adding a new and interesting location to the Detective Conan universe.
Detective Conan’s Enduring Popularity
The continued success of Detective Conan movies is a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise. Starting as a manga in 1994, created by Gosho Aoyama, Detective Conan has captivated audiences for decades with its intricate mysteries, engaging characters, and thrilling storylines. The series follows the adventures of Shinichi Kudo, a brilliant high school detective who is transformed into a child, Conan Edogawa, after being poisoned. Despite his smaller size, Conan’s sharp mind remains, and he continues to solve challenging cases, often alongside the bumbling but lovable Kogoro Mōri.
The appeal of Detective Conan spans generations. Kids are drawn to the exciting mysteries and the fun gadgets Conan uses, while older fans appreciate the complex plots, the character development, and the nostalgic connection to the long-running series. The movies, in particular, offer a grander scale of storytelling, often featuring elaborate action sequences and international settings, making them a must-see event for anime fans in Japan and around the world.
Breaking Down the Box Office Numbers
The opening weekend numbers for Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Movie are truly impressive when you consider the competitive Japanese film market. To sell over 2.3 million tickets in just three days demonstrates a massive level of audience interest and anticipation. The 3.4 billion yen revenue figure further solidifies its position as a box office juggernaut.
Comparing it to Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, which was the top-grossing film of 2024 in Japan, sets a high bar. The Million-Dollar Pentagram had a fantastic run, and One-Eyed Flashback is already starting even stronger. This suggests that the new movie has the potential to not only become the highest-grossing Detective Conan film ever but also to potentially top the overall Japanese box office charts for 2025.
The “widest release in series history” is a significant factor in this success. More screens mean more showtimes and greater accessibility for audiences across Japan. This strategic release, combined with the strong buzz surrounding the movie, has created a perfect storm for box office success.
What to Expect from One-Eyed Flashback
While the article doesn’t reveal specific plot details to avoid spoilers, we know that Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Movie will heavily feature Kogoro Mōri. This is exciting for fans who enjoy Kogoro’s comedic moments and occasional bursts of detective brilliance. Setting the film in Nagano Prefecture also adds a fresh backdrop to the story. Nagano is known for its beautiful mountains, onsen (hot springs), and winter sports, which could provide a visually stunning and thematically interesting setting for a mystery.
Katsuya Shigehara’s directorial debut is highly anticipated. His experience as a unit director on Black Iron Submarine, a very successful Conan film, suggests he understands the formula for creating a thrilling and engaging movie for the franchise. Takeharu Sakurai’s writing credits on previous Conan films also inspire confidence in the quality of the screenplay. His work on The Scarlet Bullet, for example, was well-received by fans.
The Future of Detective Conan Movies
The record-breaking opening of Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Movie indicates a bright future for the Detective Conan film franchise. With each new movie, the series continues to attract large audiences and break its own records. This consistent success demonstrates the enduring appeal of the characters, the mysteries, and the world of Detective Conan.
Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting news of international releases for Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback Movie. Given the global popularity of Detective Conan, it’s highly likely that the film will be shown in cinemas and on streaming platforms in various countries in the coming months. For now, Japanese audiences are enjoying the latest thrilling adventure of Conan Edogawa and Kogoro Mōri, and the movie is well on its way to becoming another massive hit for the franchise.