Case Closed: Season 4 (2010)

Where there is crime there is Conan Edogawa, detective to confront it but as the tide rolls in on Case Closed season 4, it would be more befitting to state wherever Conan stands a murder isn't far off. As the series ventures past the 100th episode mark it's obvious the stories are running low on drama as there are more two-part episodes than ever this time around. And as lovable as the cast of characters are, some change to the line-up would be welcome. Kudo's rival-turned-confidant Harley makes a few appearances but is hardly a regular. The original language dialogue with subtitles still reigns over the dubbed. As I found in the mystery "Massacre Night" the writing for the English version struggles to make sense of certain Japanese-specific clues like kanji.

As in usual television fashion, there are 100th episode festivities which include a feature length story, superior animation and coloring, special guest appearances, and yet another tease as Rachel gets close to unveiling Conan's true identity. Unfortunately the feature is really just two investigations back-to-back and ends up being divided into the regular format, dissolving any sort of dramatic build-up. The special appearances include Rachel's mother and Jimmy's jetsetting parents who both figure in to the latter investigation. The show tries to add some much needed flavor once again with new opening title and closing credit sequences but what Case Closed really needs is a permanent change to the main mystery's structure. It needs to be shook up to create some waves or it will continue to grow tepid and unimaginative.

Buyer's Guide:

Available as a 4 disc boxset containing episodes 80-105

2 Rachel is as clueless as Lois Lane out of 5

Case Closed: Season 3 (2010)

The prolific detective Jimmy Kudo returns in season 3 to work behind the adolescent mask of Conan Edogawa and behind the scenes of Richard Moore's detective agency, unraveling murderous plots in an effort to close the case on crime for good.  The show receives a bit of a facelift as the opening and closing title sequences and songs are revamped, adding suspense as Conan closes in and sentimentality as Jimmy and Rachel ponder their love for one another.

Through episodes 53-79 Kudo faces off against a wide array of adversaries including a black-hearted monk, a resentful artist, a phantasmal samurai, a costumed monster, and a washed up movie villain.  These criminals employ a number of cunning and lethal tricks to accomplish their goals though some seem far-fetched considering the small amount of time and materials each had within their means.  Begrudgingly Kudo remains in the dark concerning his big shrink but in the episode "Game Gone Bad" he literally runs headlong into a lead and in the series' first three part mystery he goes up against a living, breathing Knight Baron, the fictitious evildoer from the pages of his father's long running series of novels.  But the two-part season finale trumps even that as Conan encounters the infamous and flashy thief the Kaitou Kid, leading to a cat and mouse chase which leaves everyone, the audience included, breathless and wanting more.

While there are a few episodes that don't involve it, murder is the main dish but it would behoove the writers to add more variety to the stories.  It surprises me that Japan's population isn't dwindling with the number of killings portrayed on the series.  As Conan sets the record straight, each culprit instantly breaks down and reveals their motives but certain ones are flimsy at best and feel unworthy of the crime committed such as in the two-parter "Footsteps of a Hero".  While certain plots are derivative and some motives weak, you have to appreciate the writers level of creativity in hatching so many mysteries over the run of the show.  The stories are what keep Case Closed alive and the intrigue is not lost, even as Detective Conan ventures deeper into the criminal mind, proving the series' longevity and lasting spirit.

Buyer's Guide:
Available as a 4 disc boxset containing episodes 55 - 82.

4 devious means of fishing wire out of 5

Nutted by Borderline

Case Closed: Season 2 (2009)

On the second season, detective Jimmy Kudo not only proves "one truth prevails" but that crime is commonplace as his minor self Conan Edogawa faces off against an array of suspects, each one testing his top-notch cognitive abilities through 26 episodes.  The saga continues as young Conan devotes his time to solving cases which emerge at every turn, from Richard Moore's agency to the Junior Detective League to simple random encounters with Rachel, a dull moment is never spent.

While some episodes feel rushed as character designs appear loose and plots fall flat, there are still a number of thrilling stories along the way.  Suspense is added by putting main characters in mortal danger which Rachel finds out in one of my favorite two-part episodes, "Mountain Villa Murder". Introducing new characters such as Rachel's mother (Richard's ex-wife) and a high school detective rival of Kudo while confronting past plot holes like where exactly Conan's parents are, and if Jimmy can ever regain his original appearance, keep the show fresh.  And while the first season established a formula which became tiresome after so many episodes, it gives comedic ammunition to the dialogue this time around as characters comment on past staples.  Richard almost sees his catnaps coming as he drowsily whispers, "here we go again" and sometimes wonders if Conan knows more than he is letting on.

The same Saturday morning cartoon formula does continue but the story contains enough surprises, facing long-running mysteries and introducing new characters who promise to add drama and intrigue in future seasons of Case Closed.

Buyer's Guide:
Available as a 4 disc boxset containing episodes 29 - 54.

4 awkward moments in the bath with Rachel out of 5

Nutted by Borderline

Case Closed: Season 1 (2009)

The anime series Case Closed follows the teenage detective whiz Jimmy Kudo as he lands himself in trouble with a dangerous element, leaving his deductive mind in the body of Conan Edogawa, the child persona he conjured from two famous mystery authors, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edogawa Rampo.  As you proceed to the ending sequence you will notice the first credit as Reversioned by FUNimation Productions.  In the Americanized version, the series title, character names, locations, opening and ending theme music, and most things Japanese for that matter, have been altered.  The original title being 'Detective Conan' starring Shin'ichi Kudo in the title role.  As an anime purist, all these modifications would have bothered me had I not already become a fan of the show when this version aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim animation block a few years back.  The English-dubbed voices fit very well to the characters and the writing stays almost as true to the source material.  Though I immensely appreciate the original Japanese dialogue track with subtitles, as I can discover the show all over again.

After Kudo's big shrink he stays with Ran (Rachel), a former friend and love interest, and her father the famous yet bumbling private detective Kogoro Mori (Richard Moore).  This cements Conan's chance to tag along on cases, and while Moore jumps to the wrong conclusions the pint-sized detective foils the criminals' schemes.  Confined to the limitations of an adolescent, Conan utilizes various gadgets created by his personal friend Professor Agasa, such as a Voice-Altering Bow Tie, Power Kick Shoes and an Anesthetic Watch Gun, among others that conveniently come in handy for all his sleuthing needs.

Like most television shows, a formula is followed and with Case Closed, Conan always saves the day by the end of each episode.  While watching the anime on a nightly basis this formula became tiresome so I recommend viewing it on a more sporadic schedule to ensure the cases remain fresh and exciting.  With its cartoonish method of animation and comedy, I had trouble discerning its target audience as it also contains graphic death scenes and such content as suicide, murder, revenge and assassination.  So I find it more suitable for teenage and older age groups.  And I realize the story stays strong as Kudo remains a child but a hint at the organization which perpetrated the original crime would have been welcome towards the end of the first season.  Instead the episodes continue on the same formula which suggests a lengthy saga as Kudo plies his craft as the pint-sized detective Conan Edogawa, proving his doctrine of "One Truth Prevails."

Buyer's Guide:
Available as a 4 disc boxset containing episodes 1 - 28.

4 sleep-inducing needles to the back of poor Kogoro Mori's neck out of 5

Nutted by Borderline