What Is the Best Watch Order of Detective Conan?

Detective Conan is one of the most popular and long-running anime series in the world. It has been running for over 25 years and still continues today. The story is exciting, full of mystery, and easy to enjoy for both new and old viewers. But because the show is so long, many people do not know where to start

. This article will help you understand the show and give you a clear watch order of Detective Conan so you can enjoy it without confusion.

What Is Detective Conan?

Detective Conan, also known as Case Closed in some countries, is a Japanese anime and manga series. The story follows a teenage detective named Shinichi Kudo. He is very smart and famous for solving difficult crimes.

One day, Shinichi sees two strange men in black making a suspicious deal. They catch him watching and force him to drink a poison called APTX 4869. Instead of killing him, the poison shrinks his body into that of a little child. To hide his identity and stay safe, he takes the name Conan Edogawa.

He moves in with his childhood friend Ran Mouri and her father Kogoro Mouri, who is a detective. Conan secretly solves cases while pretending to be just a small child. His main goal is to find the men in black — a criminal group called the Black Organization — and find a way to return to his original body.

Key Points About the Story:

• The main character is Shinichi Kudo, who becomes a child named Conan
• The villain group is called the Black Organization
• The story mixes everyday crime mysteries with a bigger ongoing plot
• The show is suitable for teens and adults

Why Is Detective Conan So Special?

Detective Conan is not just another cartoon. It is a well-written mystery series that makes you think. Every episode has a crime that needs to be solved, and the clues are presented in a fair way so you can try to guess the answer yourself.

The series also has a deep main storyline that runs underneath all the small cases. This main plot involves the Black Organization, secret identities, dangerous secrets, and emotional relationships. When big story episodes appear, they are very exciting and rewarding.

What Makes It Stand Out:

• Every mystery is written carefully and fairly
• The main characters grow and change over time
• The show has humor, emotion, and serious moments all together
• The movies are like blockbuster films with high stakes and action
• Fans get attached to recurring characters like Heiji Hattori, Ai Haibara, and the Detective Boys

What Is the Watch Order of Detective Conan?

This is the most asked question by new viewers. The show has over 1,000 episodes and 27 movies, so it can feel overwhelming. Below is a simple and practical watch order of Detective Conan that most fans recommend.

Step 1 — Start With the Main Anime Series

The best place to begin is Episode 1 of the main anime. You do not need to read the manga first. The anime starts the story from the very beginning and explains everything clearly.

Watch the episodes in order. The early episodes (1 to 100) set up the world, introduce the main characters, and establish how the show works. These episodes are mostly stand-alone cases, but they are fun and help you get comfortable with the show.

Tips for Starting:

• Start from Episode 1, not from the middle
• Do not skip the early episodes even if they feel slow
• Pay attention to characters who appear more than once — they become important later
• Episodes marked as “important” by fan guides usually involve the Black Organization

Step 2 — Know Which Episodes Are Filler

Not every episode connects to the main story. Many episodes are filler — meaning they are standalone mysteries that do not affect the main plot. These are still enjoyable but not necessary if you only want the main story.

Fan-made guides on websites like Detective Conan World list which episodes are main story episodes. If you are short on time, you can focus on the important episodes. But if you enjoy the show, watching filler is a good way to enjoy more cases and spend more time with the characters.

About Filler Episodes:

• Most filler episodes are standalone mystery cases
• They do not change the main story
• They are still well-written and fun to watch
• Skipping them is fine if you only want the core plot

Step 3 — Add the Movies at the Right Time

Detective Conan has 27 movies as of 2024. They are not part of the main anime timeline but are meant to be watched after you know the characters well. Each movie is a standalone story with bigger action and higher stakes.

Here is a general guide for when to watch the movies:

• Movie 1 (The Time-Bombed Skyscraper) — Watch after Episode 162
• Movie 2 (The Fourteenth Target) — Watch after Episode 162
• Movie 3 (The Last Wizard of the Century) — Watch after Episode 219
• Movie 4 (Captured in Her Eyes) — Watch after Episode 254
• Movie 5 (Countdown to Heaven) — Watch after Episode 304

You can continue this pattern by checking a fan guide for each subsequent movie’s recommended viewing point.

Movie Watch Tips:

• Movies are best enjoyed after you know and love the characters
• They do not require previous movie knowledge to understand
• The later movies (from Movie 20 onwards) have even higher production quality
• Movie 20, “The Darkest Nightmare,” connects to the main story and is highly recommended

Step 4 — Watch the Magic Kaito and Special Episodes

Magic Kaito 1412 is a related series that features Kaito Kid, a famous character who also appears in Detective Conan. You can watch this series at any time, but it is best enjoyed after you have seen Kaito Kid in Detective Conan first.

There are also TV specials and OVAs (original video animations) released over the years. These are bonus stories that are fun but not required. You can watch them when you come across them in the timeline.

Magic Kaito and Specials:

• Magic Kaito 1412 has 24 episodes and is a standalone watch
• OVAs are short bonus episodes — enjoyable but optional
• TV specials often revisit fan-favorite cases in extended format
• Watching them adds depth but skipping them will not confuse you

Step 5 — Follow the Black Organization Arc Carefully

The most important episodes in the entire series are the ones that involve the Black Organization. These are the episodes where the main plot moves forward. Characters like Gin, Vodka, Vermouth, Rum, and others from the organization appear, and secrets are revealed.

Some of the most beloved arcs include:

• The Kir Arc — Episodes 491–504
• The Clash of Red and Black Arc — Episodes 491–504 (overlapping)
• The Rum Arc — ongoing in later episodes

These arcs are intense, emotional, and deeply satisfying. Make sure you do not skip them.

Black Organization Arc Tips:

• Always watch these arcs in full — do not skip any part
• Keep a list of organization members to track who is who
• These arcs are the emotional payoff for long-time viewers
• They often end on shocking cliffhangers

Conclusion

Detective Conan is a show that rewards patience. It starts simple and grows into something deep and emotional. The watch order of Detective Conan does not have to be complicated. Start from Episode 1, enjoy the cases, follow fan guides for important episodes and movie placement, and let the story pull you in naturally.

Whether you are a new viewer or someone returning after a break, this guide gives you everything you need to enjoy Detective Conan properly. The show is long, but every moment with Conan, Ran, and the rest of the cast is worth it.

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