Manga Review: Detective Conan (Case Closed)

[Eclipse]

Title: Detective Conan (Case Closed)
Mangaka: AOYAMA Gosho
Genres: Shounen, Comedy, Mystery
Number of Tankoubon: 51+, ongoing
Licensor: Viz Media
Publisher: Shogakukan, Inc.
Serialized in: Shonen Sunday

Kudo Shinichi is a famous high school detective. At the age of 17, he already has the acknowledgement of both the police and the general public for being a capable detective. One night, while following some shady men in black suits, he is knocked out from behind. By the time he wakes up, he had been reduced physically to a seven-year-old kid. Fearing that the men will come after him if they discovered he was still alive, he takes on the name Edogawa Conan, naming himself after two famous mystery writers. He only tells his real identity to his neighbor, Professor Agasa, and goes to live with his childhood friend, Ran, and her hopeless detective-father, Mouri Kogoro. Hoping to get more info about what he has dubbed the "black organization," Conan secretly assists Kogoro uncover murders and mysteries using gadgets made by Agasa.

Detective Conan is an impressively done detective series where I believe the tankoubon count is enough to speak for its popularity. Even after so many volumes, each mystery is different with its own distinctive criminals. Considering that each mystery only takes a few chapters, that is quite a feat.

All the characters have distinct characteristics, especially the main characters, which include Conan’s group of school friends (the Detective Boys), Professor Agasa, Ran and her father. Throughout the series the cast is kept the same with a few more permanent characters added in later on. The character designs aren’t exactly the norm but it doesn’t move too far away from standard shounen drawing styles. It’s just enough that you’ll be able to know that it was drawn by Aoyama Gosho.

The series is quite refreshing as it has mysteries that make you think. Although they aren’t brainteasers, some of the key points to solving the mystery aren’t so obvious, like a coin that’s slightly smaller than it should be. Aoyama isn’t afraid to add blood and death in the series either, as most of the crimes are murders or involve murder. It’s also pretty nice to see a super-genius little kid solve all these mysteries. It manages to stay original by not using the cuteness to attract readers. While some may think that Conan is cute, the main attracting point is the many original stories. I don’t find the mysteries to be repetitive, but then again I don’t notice the little details that relate all the mysteries. This series is truly worth a read. After a certain point it gets addicting as it offers cliffhangers quite often. Just start reading and you’ll be in this never-ending mystery story.

Reviewed by: aznricekid
Proofed by: Natarle
Edited by: Marlex