Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Japanese: 名探偵コナン ゼロの執行人, Meitantei Konan: Zero no Shikkōnin) is a 2018 Japanese anime film directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa and written by Takeharu Sakurai. The film is the twenty-second installment of the Detective Conan film series based on the manga by Gosho Aoyama. The film was released in Japan on April 13, 2018 and became one of the most successful films in its franchise.
Plot
A new facility named "Edge of Ocean" located in Tokyo Bay is to host the Tokyo Summit. On May 1, before the opening ceremony, more than 22,000 police officers are securing the building when a large explosion occurs. At the scene is Tōru Amuro of the National Public Security Police. Conan Edogawa is suspicious of Amuro's mysterious behavior as he moves in secret.
The investigation finds fingerprints at the crime scene that match the fingerprints of Kogoro Mouri, who was once a police officer. As a result, Kogoro is arrested as a suspect. Conan, who begins to act antagonistically toward Amuro after Kogoro's arrest, hears about a strange case in the past in which Amuro was accused of forcing a suspect to commit suicide.
While the prosecutor is filing charges against Kogoro, a series of mysterious explosions occur simultaneously across the city of Tokyo, which is under a high-alert condition. Conan and the Public Security Police begin to approach the conspiracy hidden behind this case. They realize that the opening day of the summit coincides with the day when an unmanned spacecraft named "Hakuchō" (White Swan) completes its mission on Mars and returns to Earth. Meanwhile, Hyoue Kuroda also begins to make his move.
Production
The film was directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa and is the first film to feature Tōru Amuro as the main character since Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare (2016), as well as the first time Hyoue Kuroda appears. The film's screenplay was written by Takeharu Sakurai.
To prepare for his role, Rei Furuya's voice actor read the book Secret Police Division J before recording his character's dialogue. The film is also the first Detective Conan film to receive an official English dub since 2010, produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment. This dub uses the original Japanese character names such as "Shinichi Kudō" and "Ran Mōri", rather than the American versions used by Funimation and Viz Media.
Music
The film's theme song is titled "Zero" (零 -ZERO-), performed by Masaharu Fukuyama. The film's background music was composed by Katsuo Ōno, who has consistently worked on the music for the Detective Conan film series.
Release
Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer was released in Japan on April 13, 2018 by Toho. The film was released in Thailand on August 2, 2018. The film's duration is 110 minutes.
Reception and Box Office
The film achieved great commercial success. In April 2018, the film grossed $36,498,721 at the Japanese box office, and the following month added $30,673,879. Overall, the film grossed more than $108 million worldwide.
The film became the highest-grossing Detective Conan film at the time of its release, continuing the series' record in which each new film surpassed the previous film's earnings since the 16th film. The film also received positive reviews from fans and critics, who praised the thrilling action scenes, complex mystery, and high production values.
Many fans appreciated the film's focus on the character Tōru Amuro and his complicated relationship with Conan. One reviewer noted that the chemistry between Conan and Amuro was extraordinary, with both characters suspicious of each other and continually questioning each other's motivations and actions. Some reviewers also highlighted that the film is closely tied to the main series canon, making it difficult to recommend as an entry point for new viewers.
References
Detective Conan World - Zero the Enforcer
Wikipedia - Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer
Box Office Mojo - April Box Office
Box Office Mojo - May Box Office
IMDb - User reviews
Critifan - Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer – Movie Review and Details
JFDB - Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer
Wikipedia Thailand - ยอดนักสืบจิ๋วโคนัน: ปฏิบัติการสายลับเดอะซีโร่
TEGASIAN - Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer, Film Penuh Misteri dan Aksi