Culture
The following page is a look at the culture of the world of Detective Conan as well as Japan.
Entertainment
Kamen Yaiba
A sentai-type TV show in Japan which is admired by the Detective Boys. Its real-life counterpart are the many sentai shows from Japan, but in name it is most likely related to the "Kamen Rider" series. The prime antagonist of the Kamen Yaiba series is likely Baron Potato.
Gomera Movies
A collection of movies centered around a giant monster named Gomera. Its real-life counterpart is the Gamera movie franchise. Conan mentions that he watched this series "to death" when he was younger.
Idols
Japanese idols, usually females from their teens to their early twenties, are seen in a wide range of media, from being J-pop singers, actors in dramas, TV personalities, and models for advertisements. An idol's popularity can range anywhere from a few months to several years.[1]
Yoko Okino
Yoko Okino is an idol who sings, dances and acts. Kogoro is a huge fan of Yoko, never missing her television programs or specials. Kogoro has had an opportunity to star in a Yoko TV program, as seen in 'Follow the Vanished Diamond! Conan and Heiji vs Kid!'. The name "Yoko Okino" is probably a reference to the Japanese-American artist and musician Yōko Ono.
Books
Night Baron Series
A book series written by Yusaku Kudo. This series later shows some importance as a murderer attempts to commit murders according to the series.
Detective Samonji
A murder mystery book series originally written by author Shinmei Nintaro, and continued by his daughter Kaori, that has received a television follow up. The ID of the murderer changes each time to maintain viewer interest. Both Ran Mouri and Shinichi Kudo enjoy the series. The series would later add three assistants for Saimonji including a bumbling detective, a tomboyish girl and a know it all kid with glasses.[2]
Sports
Soccer
Shinichi is very fond of soccer and often fiddles around with a soccer ball when solving cases to help himself think. This trait continues when Shinichi is shrunk and becomes Conan. Shinichi's soccer abilities help Conan out of bad situations and even helps him capture criminals thanks to the Power-Enhancing Kick Shoes. Early on in the series, Conan would kick just about anything around in order to stop criminals in their tracks. Later on Dr. Agasa invents the Anywhere Ball Dispensing Belt allowing Conan not to have to worry about having something to kick anymore.
Two major soccer teams found in Detective Conan are the Tokyo Spirits and Big Osaka. There have also been several cases relating to soccer in some way, including but not limited to: Pro Soccer Player Blackmail Case, The Indiscriminate Stadium Threatening Case, and The 3 "K"s of Osaka Case.
Baseball
Baseball is one of the most popular team sport in Japan and is usually taken seriously from high school onwards, particularly the high school Koshien Tournament. Shinichi has not shown much interest in the sport, however as Conan, he often plays baseball with the Detective Boys despite preferring a game of soccer. On the other hand, Heiji Hattori is a big fan of baseball and is often seen wearing a baseball cap, which appears to be a non-trademarked reference to the Chicago White Sox.
Karate
Ran is the captain of the Teitan High School karate team. Ran sometimes uses her karate to defend herself or protect Conan or others. She sometimes punches something when she is furious to prove that she is able to beat anyone if she wanted to, usually causing Conan, Shinichi, and Kogoro to do exactly what she wants, as they fear of becoming Ran's next victim. Sonoko's boyfriend, Makoto Kyogoku, is also a karate champion and uses his karate to protect Sonoko.
Holidays
Golden Week
Golden Week is a large consecutive holiday in Japan observed on April 29 through May 5th. Several companies shut down for the entirety of Golden Week, giving employees the longest vacation period of the year. Schools also close for Golden Week. Golden Week contains the following holidays:
- April 29 - Shōwa Day: Celebrates the birthday of the late Emperor Hirohito.
- May 3 - Constitution Memorial Day: Celebrates the promulgation of the 1947 Constitution of Japan.
- May 4 - Greenery Day: Celebrates nature.
- May 5 - Children's Day: Celebrates the happiness of children.
Valentine's Day
In Japan, only girls give chocolates on Valentine's Day. This aspect has been explored in Detective Conan in many cases, such as The Valentine Murder Case and The Truth Behind Valentine's. Girls typically will give out different types of chocolate:
- Obligation Chocolate (義理チョコ Giri-CHOKO) - Given in general to others with no feelings attached.
- Favorite Chocolate (本命チョコ Honmei-CHOKO) - Given to the person the girl loves.
- Friend Chocolate (友チョコ Tomo-CHOKO) - Given to friends.
White Day
In Japan White Day is celebrated on March 14th and exists as a "reply day" for the boys to respond to the girls who gave them chocolate on Valentine's Day. Men are expected to respond with gifts at least two or three times more valuable than what they received on Valentine's Day. This aspect was explored in The White Day Murder Case.
Christmas
In Japan, Christmas is mostly celebrated as a lovers' holiday. It is shown often in the show, including even a winter themed opening in season 10 with the song Winter Bells by Mai Kuraki. There have been various Christmas-themed episodes, including the most recent Christmas episode featuring Kaitou Kid, Phantom Thief Kid Special: Love on the Ski Slope on Christmas Eve.
New Year's Day
Unlike the Chinese New Year, New Year's Day in Japan has been celebrated on January 1st since 1873. It is typically celebrated with family. Some of the traditions include cooking and eating certain foods, and sending greeting postcards to family and friends. A tradition seen in Detective Conan is the giving of decorated envelopes containing money to children, which occurs in the manga chapter The Fugitive. This chapter has not been animated.
Vehicles
Trivia
- In Japan, the national police telephone number is 110. The number for medical and fire-related emergencies is 119.
References
- ^ "Japanese idol". Wikipedia. 2010-04-17. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_idol. Retrieved on 2010-06-28.
- ^ Episode 116-117: The Mystery Writer Disappearance Case & Volume 19: File 2-4.
