Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback has made a remarkable debut, earning $24.1 million (¥3.43 billion) during its opening weekend from 2.31 million admissions. This achievement marks a new record for the Detective Conan franchise, surpassing the previous high set by Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, which garnered $23.5 million (¥3.35 billion) from 2.27 million admissions. The movie premiered in theaters on April 18-20, 2025. It opened on 522 screens, the widest release in series’ history.
The film is the 28th entry in the long-running annual Detective Conan franchise. Since its premiere in 1997, this animated series has sparked the imaginations of people everywhere. Adapted from the long-running manga by Gosho Aoyama, it has drawn new and returning fans alike for years. The success of One-Eyed Flashback has propelled it to become Japan’s top-grossing film of 2025, outpacing its closest competitor, Doraemon The Movie: Nobita’s Art World Tales, which earned $655,000 (¥92 million) over the same period.
A Captivating Story Set in Nagano
Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback is set against the picturesque backdrop of Japan’s snowy Nagano Prefecture. The film’s narrative focuses on this strange orchestration of events and murders happening within this deeply evocative location. By re-creating this immersive world through true life locations, the film draws audiences into a reality that seems at once both known and enchanting. These locations serve as big draws for tourists and fans of the series.
Katsuya Shigehara directed the film, bringing his extensive experience as a unit director and key animator on previous Conan films to the project. His expertise enhances the storytelling and animation quality, ensuring that the film resonates with audiences who have followed the series for years.
Historical Context and Franchise Success
The Detective Conan franchise has been a fixture of Japanese pop culture for over 30 years. Indeed, so far, that story has been adapted into over 1,100 episodes in its television anime adaptation and counting. It’s clear that each annual release has played a role in its longevity and popularity. Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback not only continues this tradition but sets a new benchmark for future films.
The film’s animation is handled by TMS Entertainment and distributed by Toho, both of which have played critical roles in the franchise’s success. By every new installment, the series only widens its net, attracting new fans regardless of demographics or age brackets. So much so that this latest installment, the fifth since its introduction, stands as a testament to the continuing lure of Aoyama’s vision.