File 1119-1122 Review

While I am unfortunately disappointed by how the previous Heizuha-confession- build-up cases (File 1113-1118) wasn't continued by another Ōoka/Heizuha build-up case, I thought this Kid-heist-turned-into-murder case was overall a very entertaining standalone case, and surprisingly also the first 4-file case in awhile. It was a very nice way to somewhat incorporate Kudo Shinichi into a case without wasting the spare antidote, by having Kid disguise as him (like he did with Sherry during Mystery train case) with Conan's guidance in order to solve the case. This is the first manga case that we see Kid disguise as Shinichi since the manga confirmation (in File 1018) that events within Movie 3 (like Kid figuring out Conan's true identity) is canon.

It was nice to finally have Hakuba Saguru return after years since his last appearance in the Detective Koshien case (back in Kir arc), and to see him have an indirect meeting with Kudo Shinichi. It was especially exciting to see him come close to not only figuring out that Shinichi is being impersonated by Kid, but also Conan's true connection to Shinichi.

There was great potential for Hakuba's role in the story if he had learned of Conan's true identity and it could have created an interesting rival-dynamic between them, that would be less friendly than Conan's relationship with Heiji (which ironically would be the anime staff's original intention for Heiji when they requested that Gosho introduces a detective rival). Unfortunately, it amounted to only being a mislead and Hakuba only deducing that Conan relayed Shinichi's words through phone to Kid.

While one could still hold out hope that Gosho is playing us further and hiding a future twist that Hakuba only pretended to have not figured it out and decided to protect Conan's secret, it's more likely that Gosho simply decided to properly establish the lines that Hakuba can't cross in DC as a secondary Magic Kaito character and that his involvement in DC will only serve as crossover fanservice rather than anything substantial in the DC story. This is of course disappointing, as he has already made iconic imprints in the DC franchise, and would have gained from getting more spotlight in the DC universe as well (not just MK).

The best part about this case is Shinichi's new affirmations of his feelings for Ran, when they had a cute romantic moment that reasaured Ran that she is still in Shinichi's mind despite avoiding to meet her.

It did its job in resolving some of my yearning for new ShinRan development since them becoming an official couple.

It was interesting to learn how Gosho is further confirming that some movie-only Kid stunts are also canon, seeing as he had Ran point out that Kid has repeatedly disguised as Shinichi, after she figured out his disguise, despite it being the first time in the manga.

This is an interesting implication, because in the already canonized events of Movie 3, Ran never learned that the Shinichi that appeared at the end (to help cover for Conan's identity) was Kid in disguise.

This would mean that Gosho is implying that the Shinichi-disguise stunts in M8, M14, M19 &/or M23 are also semi-canon.

It was only fair of course for Gosho to not tarnish the romantic ShinRan scene in this case by having Hakuba confirm to Ran that it was not meaningless words from Kid, but rather Shinichi's true words.

As for what we can expect from the next case, the official magazine preview for File 1123 was leaked recently that teased that we are getting a Sato-Takagi case combined with the Kanagawa police, which are Chihaya & Juugo (the pair from the recently introduced romance subplot).

She knows him so well, she should have figured it out.

I really hope that in the nexts chapters is revealed that she knew that was not Shinichi, but she was keeping silent because she wanted to capture Kid like in one of the movies.

Conan's condition to Kid to help him is that, through him, he give a message to Ran (Conan says all with the bow tie).

Shinichi: "If I see you I will want to stay with you forever, but I still have many cases to solve".

Then Conan thinks (about Kid) "Your performance is so perfect that I feel angry." Lol

I feel that this dialogue is on par with: "I can know how you are just by hearing the sound of your voice" from Diplomat Murder case.

Sonoko's Fantasy

"Shinichi: Why do I have to inform you of everything beforehand?! You're not my wife!!

Ran: Huh?!

Hakuba: Stop it! You're bothering this pretty lady!!

Shinichi: Who're you, asshole?!"

In original Japanese: 蘭の顔見たらずっとそばにいたくなっちまうだろ？the exact translation Shinichi says is: "When you see Ran's face, you want to stay by her side forever, right?"

FOREVER is a strong word!

I mean, do you understand what it means that someone wants to be with you forever?