The beloved Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed) anime franchise is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a special one-hour television episode titled “Detective Conan Episode ‘ZERO’ Kudo Shinichi Aquarium Case” (Meitantei Conan Episode “ZERO” Kudō Shinichi Suizokukan Jihen), slated to air in January 2026. This highly anticipated special will be broadcast on the Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV network, marking the beginning of a year-long celebration for the long-running series.
A Glimpse Before the Shrinkage: The “Episode Zero” Plot
The “Episode Zero” special will transport fans back in time, depicting events that occur just before the brilliant high school detective Shinichi Kudo is transformed into the child Conan Edogawa by the Black Organization’s mysterious drug. The narrative centers on Shinichi and his childhood friend Ran Mouri as they visit the Beika Aquarium. Their purpose for the outing is a unique one: to orchestrate an “Aquarium Surprise Reunion Love Revival Operation” in an effort to reconcile Ran’s estranged parents, Kogoro Mouri and Eri Kisaki.
However, a peaceful day at the aquarium quickly escalates into a signature Detective Conan mystery. Shinichi, with his keen deductive senses, perceives an unusual tension, suspecting a murder has taken place even before any screams are heard. Guided by the faint scent of blood, he moves towards the crime scene, employing all his observational skills to identify the culprit. This pre-shrinking deduction drama is teased to connect to “another reconnaissance” linked to the fateful day that forever changed Shinichi’s life.
Celebrating Three Decades of Mystery
The “Detective Conan Episode ‘ZERO’ Kudo Shinichi Aquarium Case” is a cornerstone of the “Detective Conan 30 YEAR PROJECT,” an initiative launched to commemorate the anime’s milestone anniversary. The anime first premiered on January 8, 1996, making 2026 its 30th year on air.
To build excitement for the special and the anniversary, a key visual featuring Shinichi and Ran enjoying their time at the aquarium has been released. This artwork beautifully captures their innocent closeness before their relationship was complicated by Shinichi’s transformation. Fans will have the opportunity to see this visual displayed at the Yomiuri TV booth during the Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair 2025 (Kyomafu) on September 20 and 21.
Broader 30th Anniversary Initiatives
Beyond the “Episode Zero” special, the 30th anniversary celebration encompasses several other exciting projects for fans worldwide. In April 2025, the “Detective Conan 30 YEAR PROJECT” officially began, unveiling a new logo and a special promotional video.
Further expanding the celebration, TMS Entertainment announced in June 2025 a curated selection of Detective Conan episodes available on Crunchyroll and Netflix, designed to introduce new viewers to key moments and offer nostalgic journeys for long-time fans. This marks the first time the series has been released on Netflix in the U.S. and includes an all-new English dub on Crunchyroll. Additionally, a “Detective Conan: Cinema Saturdays” campaign launched on YouTube, offering North American fans the chance to stream theatrical films for free over 26 weeks, leading up to the anniversary.
The “Episode Zero” special promises to be a nostalgic and thrilling start to the Detective Conan anime’s 30th anniversary year, revisiting a pivotal moment in the series’ history and reminding fans of the detective prowess of Shinichi Kudo before his life took an unexpected turn.
