There’s excitement brewing among fans of the long-standing anime series Detective Conan with new episodes and thrilling collaborations on the horizon. The recent announcements reveal the return of popular characters and special events, marking another high point for this beloved franchise.
On January 28, the latest episode aired on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV, where viewers got their first look at the upcoming episodes set to continue the beloved narrative. Notably, the teaser revealed the much-anticipated return of Tooru Amuro, also known as Zero, who has garnered considerable fanfare over the years.
The official social media announcement declared, “2025’s Detective Conan is set to kick off with special New Year episodes.” The lineup includes two new episodes scheduled for January: the first part and second part of “The Detective Boys and Two Supervisors” on January 4 and January 11, followed by the “Kaito Kid and the Crown Magic” special airing on January 18 and January 25. These teasers have heightened fan expectations, especially with Amuro's significant role.
Historically, Tooru Amuro is voiced by the esteemed Toru Furuya. Following involvement in personal controversies resulting from extramarital affairs, Furuya stepped down from the role effective June 2024. While no successor has been officially announced, the upcoming movie Detective Conan: The Case of the Remaining Eye, set for release in April 2025, adds urgency to the speculations about who will voice this character moving forward.
The cinematic achievements of the franchise continue to resonate with audiences. The latest film, Detective Conan: Million Dollar Adventure, has set records with box office earnings surpassing 15 billion yen, making it the highest-grossing installment to date. The plot intertwined thrilling encounters between the characters Heiji Hattori and Kaito Kid, exploring their rivalry and personal connections.
Adding to the fervor surrounding the series, the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen concert featured singer aiko, who performed the movie’s theme song, “Mutual Love.” This performance not only celebrated the crossover with Detective Conan but also recognized the franchise’s 30-year legacy. The collaboration was wrapped up nicely with messages and illustrations from original manga creator Gosho Aoyama, showcasing iconic characters from the series including Conan Edogawa, Kaito Kid, and Amuro.
Aiko, thrilled about her performance, took to X (formerly Twitter) stating the significance of her role during such celebrations. She humorously mentioned, “After singing ‘Mutual Love,’ I shot my wristwatch-type tranquilizer gun at Aoyama-sensei, but he woke up just four seconds after I tried to put him to sleep!” This anecdote added to the ritualistic flair often associated with the show's storytelling.
Detective Conan has transcended its origins — starting from its serialization in the Weekly Shonen Sunday since 1994 to its anime adaptation launched two years later. Over more than three decades, it has woven itself deeply within Japanese pop culture, enchanting audiences across generations. The franchise’s appeal consistently garners interest, keeping fans engaged with episodic sagas, cinematic adventures, and collaborations.
The passion for Detective Conan clearly reflects the animated series’ legacy and the commitment of its creators and performers. With the coming episodes, upcoming film, and significant events like the NHK concert, 2025 promises to be another landmark year for the franchise.