The action-packed Japanese animated mystery film "Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback" held its Shanghai premiere on June 24, with producers attending in person and connecting via video link to nearly 10,000 audience members at post-screening events across 50 locations in China.

The Japanese producers of "Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback" pose with a performer dressed as Kogoro Mouri, fans and a Chinese calligraphy scroll at the film's premiere in Shanghai, June 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Road Pictures]

Directed by Katsuya Shigehara in his feature debut, the new "Detective Conan" film is the 28th installment in the popular case-solving franchise based on Gosho Aoyama's manga series.

The film follows Conan Edogawa and Kogoro Mouri as they investigate a case linked to Inspector Yamato Kansuke's past and the origins of his eye injury, sustained during an avalanche after glimpsing a mysterious figure. The characters race to unlock Kansuke's forgotten memories and reveal a dangerous conspiracy.

Chinese fans were delighted by the film's rich references to Chinese culture. The character Takaaki Morofushi is inspired by Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming, the revered strategist from China's Three Kingdoms period (220-265).

The film's dialogue also features wisdom from ancient Chinese classics, including Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" and "Biographies of Assassins" from Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian."

Producers Shuho Kondo, Takeshi Yoshida and Yuhei Okada received loud applause when they took the stage at the premiere. Kondo revealed that, as a devoted fan of the Chinese classic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," he helped conceive the character Takaaki Morofushi — a fusion of Zhuge Liang's intellect and the archetype of a Japanese military commander.

"Eighteen years later, seeing a character I helped create take a major role in this theatrical film moves me deeply," Kondo said.

Later, Chinese fans presented the producers with copies of China's Four Great Classical Novels as gifts. Kondo, visibly moved, said he loved "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and kept two Japanese editions at home for regular reference.

For Okada, attending the premiere in China marked his first international trip. "I arrived in Shanghai yesterday and walked through the streets, feeling everyone's love for 'Detective Conan.' Seeing the audience's passion at the premiere moved me deeply," he noted.

Okada said he had wanted to create a story highlighting private detective Kogoro Mouri's abilities and made a special request to original creator Gosho Aoyama during production to bring the story to life.

The film has received widespread praise, with some hailing it as the best "Detective Conan" theatrical release in nearly a decade. It is currently Japan's highest-grossing film of the year.

Producer Takeshi Yoshida said, "I believe the success of 'Detective Conan' comes from everyone's love for the series and our team's years of hard work. To repay this support, we'll keep improving to deliver even better films."

The producers also presented a hand-brushed calligraphy scroll bearing the phrase "We Love Conan Here," expressing sincere appreciation for Chinese fans.

Audiences explore immersive installations at the "Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback" premiere in Shanghai, June 24, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Road Pictures]

Road Pictures, known for organizing large-scale movie events, connected fans across 50 theaters through synchronized broadcasts. The event included video greetings in Mandarin and Shanghainese from voice actors Minami Takayama (Conan Edogawa), Rikiya Koyama (Kogoro Mouri) and Wakana Yamazaki (Ran Mouri).

The event also featured an exclusive illustration by director Katsuya Shigehara depicting the characters in Chinese-inspired attire, accompanied by the message, "Let's meet at the cinema this summer."

The premiere venue featured immersive installations designed to recreate the film's atmosphere. These included a giant ribbon scarf suspended above the theater entrance and a life-size replica of the Mouri Detective Agency stood in the lobby, alongside a five-meter snowy mountain set, ice sculpture and interactive games.

At the end of the screening, shimmering confetti and red ribbons were released into the packed 1,000-seat theater, reflecting the film's themes of mystery and romance.

"Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback" opens nationwide on June 27.