Alongside Doraemon, the manga series “Detective Conan” has made a significant impact on the world of anime and manga since its debut in the mid-1990s. To this day, Conan remains one of the most beloved manga series globally and is considered a key representative of Japanese manga culture.
Created by Gosho Aoyama, this manga first hit the shelves in January 1994 and is still ongoing. With over 250 million copies sold worldwide, “Detective Conan” has reached audiences far and wide. The anime adaptation of the manga has also received tremendous acclaim, airing in no less than 22 countries around the globe.
Although Aoyama has kept a low profile and avoided public attention over the years, many fans may not be aware of the intricate storylines behind Conan’s adventures.
The Voice Behind Conan’s Animated Character
In 1996, two years after the manga’s release, the anime “Detective Conan” began production and quickly gained popularity, not just in Japan but in at least 40 other countries, with over 1,000 episodes to date.
Minami Takayama, the voice actress for Conan, is particularly close to Gosho Aoyama. They were married in 2005, but their marriage lasted only two years. Despite this, both have maintained a close professional relationship, with Takayama continuing to voice the character even after their divorce.
Conan’s Appearances in Other Notable Works
The influence of Conan has led to his appearances in various other manga and anime, such as “Lupin III vs. Detective Conan,” a special animated program released in 2009, followed by a feature film in 2013. In “Inuyasha,” there is a character resembling Conan, and “Yakitate Japan” features a character inspired by Conan Edogawa. Additionally, “No Game No Life” contains references to Conan within its story.
Conan’s Struggles in Europe
While the character is legendary in Asia, especially in Japan, “Detective Conan” has not achieved the same level of success in Europe. In fact, in Europe, it is known as “Case Closed.”
Many factors contribute to this discrepancy, but a common sentiment is that the renaming of characters in the English adaptation has made the series less relatable and stripped it of its Japanese essence. The English version altered character names, such as Shinichi Kudo to Jimmy Kudo, Ran Mouri to Rachel Moore, and Ai Haibara to Anita Hailey/Vi Graythorn.
The Meaning Behind Conan’s Name
The character Conan’s name pays homage to two literary figures: Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, and Edogawa Ranpo, a pioneering mystery fiction writer in Japan. Gosho Aoyama’s admiration for these two influential authors is reflected in the name chosen for his main character.
Is Conan’s “Hometown” in Dōgo?
The town of Hokuei in Tottori Prefecture, where creator Gosho Aoyama was born, has been transformed into “Conan Town” to promote tourism. Here, visitors can find various attractions and landmarks related to the manga. The character Conan has effectively created a “cultural phenomenon” akin to that of Doraemon or Hello Kitty.
As for the “original identity” of Conan, it remains somewhat ambiguous, both in the story and outside of it. However, it is clear that both Conan and Shinichi were born and have lived in Tokyo.
