On April 18, 2025, fans of the beloved anime series "Detective Conan" flocked to theaters across Japan for the highly anticipated release of the 28th film in the franchise, titled "Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram." This latest installment is set against the picturesque backdrop of Nagano Prefecture, where the story unfolds amidst the snowy mountains.
The excitement was palpable at the Nagano Grand Cinemas, where around 20 eager moviegoers formed a line before the theater opened its doors at 7:00 AM. They were all waiting for the first showing, which was scheduled to begin at 7:35 AM. Among them was a 30-year-old company employee from Chikuma City, who took a half-day off work just to catch the film. "I've been a fan since childhood, and I particularly love the characters from the Nagano Prefectural Police, so I’m really looking forward to this movie," she shared, adding her curiosity about the fate of the large parabola antenna on Mt. Nobeyama.
In addition to the film's release, King Gnu's new song "TWILIGHT!!!" serves as the theme song for "Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram." The track has already generated buzz online, especially for its incorporation of the iconic "Conan's door sound" at the 1 minute and 46-second mark. Fans took to social media to express their delight, with comments like, "The fact that they included that door sound is just amazing!" and "I got goosebumps when I heard it!" The sound, familiar to viewers from the anime series, adds a nostalgic touch to the song.
Tsuneoka Taiki, the lead vocalist of King Gnu, expressed his honor in being chosen to write the theme song. "I was truly grateful to be asked to create 'TWILIGHT!!!' for the movie. The production team encouraged me to be free in my approach, which led to a new style of music that I believe is different from our previous works. I hope everyone enjoys the song alongside the film!" he remarked.
The film's producers, Kondo Hidefumi, Yoshida Kenji, and Okada Yuhei, shared their thoughts on selecting King Gnu for the theme song. They stated that as soon as they finished reading the completed script, they felt a strong urge to have King Gnu onboard. "We believed that the unique elements we wanted to express in the film—such as the human drama and mystery involving Kogoro Mori and the Nagano Prefectural Police—would be greatly amplified by King Gnu's distinctive music. Listening to the final track confirmed that we had made the right choice, and it truly moved us. It’s a song that resonates deeply, so we hope audiences will enjoy it in theaters repeatedly," they explained.
As the day progressed, the film's release sparked conversations about the series' impressive box office history. "Detective Conan" has consistently ranked among the highest-grossing anime films in Japan, and this new installment is expected to continue that trend.
In conjunction with the movie's premiere, the previous film, "Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram," will also be aired on Nippon Television Network's "Kinyo Roadshow" at 9:00 PM the same day. This provides fans with an opportunity to revisit the earlier adventures of the iconic detective.
As fans settle into their seats and the lights dim, they can expect a thrilling blend of mystery and emotion, with Kogoro Mouri and Heizo Otaki of the Nagano Prefectural Police taking center stage in a narrative that intertwines past and present events. The film promises to deliver an engaging storyline set in the beautiful yet treacherous snowy landscape of Nagano.
With the combination of a captivating story, beloved characters, and a theme song that resonates with nostalgia, "Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram" is poised to be a significant hit among both long-time fans and newcomers alike. As the credits roll, audiences will undoubtedly leave the theater buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead in this iconic franchise.
