Detective Conan is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a slew of new content, including a highly anticipated one-hour prequel special titled Episode “ZERO” The Shinichi Kudo Aquarium Case, for which a trailer has been released, and the announcement of a completely original two-hour television special, Murder Case No. 30, marking the first such event in ten years. These new productions headline a series of initiatives commemorating three decades of the beloved anime mystery series.
“Episode ZERO: The Shinichi Kudo Aquarium Case” Revealed
The Detective Conan 30th-anniversary celebrations kick off with Episode “ZERO” The Shinichi Kudo Aquarium Case, a one-hour special slated to premiere on January 3, 2026. Crunchyroll will stream the special, which serves as a prologue to the main story, taking viewers back to a time before high school detective Shinichi Kudo was transformed into Conan Edogawa.
The special’s plot centers on Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mōri visiting an aquarium. Their original intention is to devise a plan to reconcile Ran’s separated parents, Kogoro Mōri and Eri Kisaki. However, their visit takes a dark turn when a murder occurs, thrusting Shinichi into a new case where he must employ his sharp deductive skills. This “Episode ZERO” is based on television anime episodes 772-773, which originally aired in March 2015, and the corresponding manga case. A promotional video for the special has been released on YouTube, giving fans a glimpse into this prequel mystery.
A Decade in the Making: “Murder Case No. 30” (2-Hour Special)
In addition to the “Episode ZERO” prequel, TMS Entertainment has announced a separate and significant milestone: the production of a two-hour television special titled Murder Case No. 30. This will be the first two-hour special for the anime in approximately ten years, with the last one being Episode ONE: The Great Detective Turned Small, which aired in 2016. Unlike “Episode ZERO,” Murder Case No. 30 will feature a completely original story. The script for this landmark special is penned by Takeharu Sakurai, known for his work on Detective Conan films such as One-Eyed Flashback and Black Iron Submarine. While the announcement has generated considerable excitement, specific broadcast dates for Murder Case No. 30 are yet to be revealed.
Celebrating Three Decades of Detective Conan
The 30th anniversary of Detective Conan, which officially falls on January 8, 2026, is being celebrated with a host of other exciting projects.
- “Rivals of the Great Detective” Collection: Crunchyroll and Netflix are expanding their Detective Conan Episode Selection #2: Rivals of the Great Detective collection, with new episodes featuring key supporting characters like Heiji Hattori and Kid the Phantom Thief, as well as exploring the dynamic between Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mori. These episodes began streaming in English subtitles and a new English dub on January 1.
- Collaboration Episodes: The franchise is set to release unique collaboration stories, including an episode tied to Japan’s annual Birdman Rally and a new J-League collaboration episode, following up on a 2023 special. Japanese talent Yuka Kageyama, a known Detective Conan fan and soccer enthusiast, will appear in the J-League episode.
- New Ending Theme: Starting with the January 10, 2026 broadcast, singer Mai Kuraki will perform the new ending theme, “TOWA,” marking her 28th theme song for the series and continuing a long-standing collaboration that began in 2000.
These initiatives underscore the enduring popularity and rich history of Detective Conan, which has captivated global audiences for three decades with over a thousand episodes and 28 theatrical anime films.
The Legacy of Detective Conan Specials
The Detective Conan anime has a history of producing special episodes that delve into crucial moments of its narrative or offer unique standalone mysteries. Episode ONE: The Great Detective Turned Small, which aired in 2016, was a two-hour remake of the original first episode, providing new scenes and a more detailed account of how Shinichi Kudo was transformed into Conan Edogawa. These specials allow the series to revisit pivotal points or explore new facets of its expansive universe, enriching the experience for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. The upcoming “Episode ZERO” and the original two-hour “Murder Case No. 30” continue this tradition, promising fresh perspectives and thrilling new cases.
