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1. Kindaichi Shounen No Jikenbo Returns 059
2. Kindaichi Shounen No Jikenbo Returns 48

The Kindaichi Case Files (Japanese: 金田一少年の事件簿Hepburn: Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo) is a Japanese mysterymanga series based on the crime solving adventures of a high school student, Hajime Kindaichi, the supposed grandson of the famous (fictional) private detective Kosuke Kindaichi.^[6][7] They are written by Yōzaburō Kanari or Seimaru Amagi (depending on series) and illustrated by Fumiya Satō.^[8] The Kindaichi series, which started serialization in Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 1992,^[8] is one of the earliest works in the mystery manga genre. In 1995, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen.^[9]

All the manga featured in this website are property of their publishers. If you liked any of the manga you obtained here, consider buying the Japanese versions, or the local translation, where available. Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo R v13.rar Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo R v14.rar.

The serialization of the new Kindaichi series started in 2004,^[10][11] but not on a regular basis until 2012. The manga resumed regular serialization in 2012 to commemorate the 20th anniversary. The regular weekly serialization continued in 2013 with the title changed to The File of Young Kindaichi Returns (金田一少年の事件簿RKindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo Ritānzu). Kindaichitankōbon were ranked 2nd and 3rd in a Japanese Comic Ranking in October, 2009.^[12]

The series has also been animated by Toei Animation, first as a feature film, with Kappei Yamaguchi as the voice of Kindaichi, released in 1996 and then a television series, with Taiki Matsuno voicing Kindaichi in this and subsequent productions for 148 episodes from 1997 to 2000,^[7][13] and there has since been a live-action film,^[14] four live-action drama series, three live-action television specials and further animated features for cinema and television.^[13] A new anime television series adaptation, titled The Kindaichi Case Files R (Returns), began airing on April 5, 2014 and concluded on September 27, 2014. The voice actors of the main characters from the first anime television series reprise their roles.^[15] A second season began airing on October 3, 2015.^[16]

The collected stories are published in English by Tokyopop with the title The Kindaichi Case Files.^[17] Only the first 17 volumes (the first series) have been released by Tokyopop. The series is airing on Animax Asia as The File of Young Kindaichi in Japanese with English subtitles.^[18]

The latest series, 37 Year Old Kindaichi Case Files, is set 20 years later, in which Hajime graduates high school, and becomes a manager of a PR firm, but is swung back into mysteries, despite quitting detective work.

• 3Media

Overview[edit]

Kindaichi mysteries are whodunnit stories featuring (usually multiple) gruesome murders, often with a supernatural tinge. They are typically of the style of John Dickson Carr, and frequently feature a locked room mystery^[7] or other seemingly 'impossible' crimes, such as a murder occurring when all surviving suspects have (apparently) airtight alibis.

A notable distinction of The Kindaichi Case Files is that the killers are not depicted as psychopathic murderers and the murders are never committed for financial reasons alone. The identified killers all have deep rooted problems, often involving great emotional trauma through the greed or thoughtlessness of others, as their reasons for committing the murder(s). Thus the killers are often portrayed as sympathetic figures, as opposed to cold, calculating killers in some other mystery series.

In addition to this, after being revealed the criminal usually attempts suicide.^[19]

Characters[edit]

Hajime Kindaichi (金田一 一Kindaichi Hajime)

Voiced by: Taiki Matsuno and Kappei Yamaguchi (Anime film #1 only)

Played by: Tsuyoshi Domoto (1995 show), Jun Matsumoto (2001 show), Kazuya Kamenashi, Ryosuke Yamada

17-year-old Fudo High School student Hajime Kindaichi is unmotivated, lazy, and a little lecherous, much to the exasperation of childhood friend Miyuki Nanase. However, only a few people see his great intelligence and deductive prowess by his -180 IQ, possibly inherited from his grandfather, private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. He is also an accomplished sleight of hand artist. Despite his clumsiness and myriad other flaws, he is a loyal friend and a first-rate detective.

20 years later, he became a PR firm manager, quitting detective work. But crimes never retire. So he was stuck into a case he solved many years ago.

Kindaichi Shounen No Jikenbo Returns 059

Miyuki Nanase (七瀬 美雪Nanase Miyuki)

Voiced by: Akiko Nakagawa

Played by: Rie Tomosaka (1995 show), Anne Suzuki (2001 show), Juri Ueno, Haruna Kawaguchi

The childhood best friend and next door neighbor of Hajime; many question why a model student like Miyuki is friends with a slacker like him. Deep down inside, Miyuki feels Hajime is not an idiot, and they seem to have a love that neither has yet fully expressed. She possesses remarkable logic and perception, although she is obviously not as gifted as he is. Miyuki is the president of Fudo High's student council.

20 years later, she became a flight attendant. She connects to Hajime via cellphone.

Isamu Kenmochi (剣持 勇Kenmochi Isamu)

Voiced by: Jūrōta Kosugi and Isao Natsuyagi (Anime film only)

Played by: Masato Furuoya (1995 show), Masaya Kato, Tomomitsu Yamaguchi

A Tokyohomicide police inspector who met Kindaichi on his first case, and was so impressed that he has lent the youngster his unquestioning support ever since. He is often the investigating officer on Kindaichi's cases, and provides the official stamp of approval Kindaichi often needs to pursue his investigations. He believes fully in Kindaichi's ability.

20 years later, he retired, but had contact with Hajime.

Kengo Akechi (明智 健悟Akechi Kengo)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

Played by: Mansaku Ikeuchi

An extremely intelligent, elite-level police detective (superintendent), who is Kenmochi's supervisor. He is an arrogant and snobbish character that becomes a rival to Kindaichi in crime-solving. However, Akechi (indeliberately) not only helped Kindaichi solve the case, but also aided him out of trouble. His relationship to Kindaichi is abrasive at the least, but they have an unspoken mutual respect for each other's abilities. He often compares the crimes in Japan to his experience in Los Angeles. He is proficient in English and French.

20 years later, he became a Police Commissioner.

Ryuta Saki (佐木 竜太Saki Ryūta) and Ryuji Saki (佐木 竜二Saki Ryūji)

Voiced by: Keiichi Nanba (Ryuta Saki)

Played by: Tomohiro Hara (1995 show), Jun Hasegawa (2001 show) (Ryuta Saki)

Played by: Daiki Arioka (Ryuji Saki)

He is obsessed with filming through a V8 camera. He basically shoots everywhere at any time. His tape helped Kindaichi solved the case. In 'The Santa Slayings', his tape recorded a critical piece of evidence and he was killed for this. In 'Kindaichi the Killer', his younger brother, Ryuji Saki, who very much resembled his elder brother, approached Kindaichi at a party, telling him his elder brother told him in a dream that Kindaichi would be in trouble. Soon after, Ryuji helped Kindaichi avoid a murder trap. Afterwards, Ryuji claims himself as Kindaichi's assistant and sometimes really helps Kindaichi in solving cases. In the anime series, Ryuta survived the attack in 'The Santa Slayings' story arc and Ryuji did not appear later on.

Reika Hayami (速水 玲香Hayami Reika)

Voiced by: Mayumi Iizuka

A famous actress and singer, first appearing in 'Death TV', who initially appeared to be arrogant but turned out to be weak and desperate for protection. After this case, Reika has had a crush on Kindaichi and sent her only Valentine's Day gift, a heart-shaped chocolate, to him without revealing her name. Since then, she and Miyuki seem to be rivals over Kindaichi. In 'Playing the Fool', Reika's past, that even she lost memory of, was revealed. In 'Reika's Kidnapping', it was revealed that Reika's real mother is veteran actress Keiko Mitamura, but throughout the series Reika never knew it, and it was a secret that only Keiko and Kindaichi know.

Fumi Kindaichi (金田一 二三Kindaichi Fumi)

Voiced by: Haruna Ikezawa

Kindaichi's cousin. First appeared in 'Saint Valentine's Murders' in manga and 'The Undying Butterflies' in the anime television series, and later became a regular character appearing in the majority of cases for an extended period. Fumi has good reasoning skills (although not as good as Kindaichi), she even solves a few mysteries on her own. She sometimes pokes fun at Kindaichi when nobody else is around. Inspector Kenmochi nicknames her 'Chibikin' (meaning little Kindaichi).

Yoichi Takato (高遠 遙一Takatō Yōichi)

Voiced by: Kenichi Ono

Played by: Hiroki Narimiya

Kindaichi's nemesis, also known as 'The Puppeteer From Hell' (地獄の傀儡師Jigoku no Kugutsushi). He is known to be extremely intelligent, considers himself to be the evil twin of Kindaichi, and describes their relationship as parallel lines. He is the only son of Reiko Chikamiya, an internationally known magician, who in turn drove Takato to be a magician himself. What he uncovered about the murder of his mother triggered what he is today. A twisted, cold-hearted magician who considers his devilish setups for the perfect crime as masterpieces, and tolerates no mistakes from the people he uses as his puppets.

20 years later, he called the trio on his cell.

Media[edit]

Manga[edit]

In Japan, there is a total of 71 volumes with 44 full cases, 17 Kindaichi's short cases, 7 Akechi's short cases, and 1 Takato's full case. Together, the volumes have sold over 90 million copies in Japan, making it one of the best selling manga of the 1990s.^[20] There are currently 11 volumes^[21] in the new re-run after serialisation of Detective School Q completes.

17 volumes have been published in North America, all except 2 with a complete story. The later volumes are unlikely to see print in the United States unless their relatively poor sales improve.^[22] New readers are recommended to read the volumes in order, since later stories sometimes reference killers or characters from previous tales, especially Kindaichi's nemesis, who will reappear in at least one of the mysteries not yet published. In general, all the mysteries followed a certain theme (such as a famous legend/story), or have a certain modus operandi. Various bilingual (Japanese-English) volumes have been released.^{[23][24][25][26]}

The spinoff manga Kindaichi Case Files: The Mini-Vacation was released in English on Manga Box.^[27][28]

Another sequel, 37 Year Old Kindaichi Case Files, was released.

Light novels[edit]

The novels were written by Seimaru Amagi and illustrated by Fumiya Satō. 9 volumes were released in Japan between September 22, 1994^[29] and April 20, 2001.^[30]

Anime[edit]

Produced by Toei Animation and directed by Daisuke Nishio, the anime adaptation of the original manga aired on Nippon Television between April 7, 1997 and September 11, 2000,^[13] spanning 148 episodes plus one special episode. In addition, two animated films were released on December 14, 1996 and August 21, 1999 respectively. Seven years after the conclusion of the TV anime, two new animated episodes were aired in Japan on November 12, 2007 and November 19, 2007 respectively.^[31]

On April 6, 2007, DVD collector's box of Kindaichi was released by Warner Home Video to mark the 10th anniversary of airing of the original TV anime.^[32]

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the series, two special episodes based on 'The Black Magic Murders' were released on DVDs in November 2012 and February 2013.

An anime television series, The File of Young Kindaichi Returns aired from April 5 to 27 September 2014.^[33] A second season aired from October 3, 2015 to March 26, 2016. They are streamed on Crunchyroll.

Video games[edit]

7 Kindaichi video games were released as of September 17, 2009. All of them were released in Japan only. Many of the game voice actors differ from those in the anime version.

CD books[edit]

Kodansha released two CD books in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Both have been made into anime. However, nearly all CD books voice actors are not the same as those in the anime version.

Live action series[edit]

NTV aired four live action series in 1995, 1996, 2001, and 2014.^[44]Specials were aired in 2005,^[45] 2013, and 2014.

Tsuyoshi Dōmoto of the Kinki Kids and Rie Tomosaka starred as Hajime Kindaichi and Miyuki Nanase in the first two series. In season 3, Jun Matsumoto of Arashi starred as Hajime Kindaichi and Suzuki Anne starred as Miyuki Nanase. In season 4, Ryosuke Yamada starred as Hajime Kindaichi while Haruna Kawaguchi portrayed Miyuki Nanase.

In 2005, a special based on 'The Legendary Vampire Murders' was aired featuring Kazuya Kamenashi of KAT-TUN and Ueno Juri as Kindaichi and Miyuki Nanase.

In 2013, a special based on Hong Kong Kowloon Treasure Murder Case was aired featuring Ryosuke Yamada and Daiki Arioka of Hey! Say! JUMP and Haruna Kawaguchi also with Vivian Hsu, Eric Tsang, Big Bang member Seungri, Rookies actor Kenta Kiritani and Taiwanese actor Chun Wu (actually in Japanese voice was Daisuke Namikawa).

In 2014, a special based on Gate of Jail Private School Murder Case was aired also featuring Ryosuke Yamada, Chun Wu who also played from the previous special also played again (this time in Japanese was Hiroki Touchi) and Haruna Kawaguchi also feature Nichkhun from 2PM.

Live action film[edit]

A live action film entitled Shanghai Mermaid Legend Murder Case, was released on December 13, 1997 in Japan. The film was directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi and starring Tsuyoshi Dōmoto and Rie Tomosaka.^[14][46] It is an adaptation of the Kindaichi novel of the same title.

Detective Conan & Kindaichi[edit]

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Weekly Shōnen Magazine, the two magazines collaborated to publish twelve biweekly magazines consisting of chapters from Weekly Shōnen Sunday's Case Closed and Weekly Shōnen Magazine's The Kindaichi Case Files.^[47][48] The magazine ran between April 10, 2008 and September 25, 2008.^[48]

Reception[edit]

In 1995, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen's category.^[9]

Kindaichi Shounen No Jikenbo Returns 48

Allen Divers of Anime News Network said that while The Kindaichi Case Files 'presents some whoppers', the series also has mysteries that are very 'familiar', calling it 'the Japanese version of the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.'^[49] In Manga: The Complete GuideJason Thompson described the mystery scenarios as 'inventive and intricate, offering genuine brain teasers', but criticised the artwork as 'bland'.^[50]

The manga has over 90 million copies in print.^[51]

References[edit]

1. ^'Manga + Comics : Kindaichi Case Files, The'. Tokyopop. Archived from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
2. ^'YOUNG KINDAICHI'S CASE BOOK'. Toei Animation. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
3. ^'Akechi Shōnen no Karei Naru Jikenbo' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
4. ^https://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/the_file_of_young_kindaichi_de.php
5. ^'Animax Asia to Air , Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions, Kindaichi R'. Anime News Network. January 6, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
6. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files 2008 New Anime' (in Japanese). Tokyo MX. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
7. ^ ^abc'Toei Anime Premium - The Kindaichi Case Files' (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
8. ^ ^ab'Weekly Shōnen Magazine – The Kindaichi Case Files' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
9. ^ ^abJoel Hahn. 'Kodansha Manga Awards'. Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on August 16, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
10. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Vampire Legend Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
11. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Vampire Legend Murder Case' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
12. ^'Japanese Comic Ranking'. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
13. ^ ^abc'The Kindaichi Case Files Anime' (in Japanese). Toei Animation. October 10, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
14. ^ ^ab'The Kindaichi Case Files Movie Information' (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
15. ^'Revival: The Kindaichi Case Files Returns' (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
16. ^'The File of Young Kindaichi Returns Manga Gets 2nd Anime Adaptation in October'. Anime News Network. July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
17. ^'Manga+Comics: The Kindaichi Case Files'. Tokyopop. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
18. ^'THE FILE OF YOUNG KINDAICHI.' Animax Asia. Retrieved on 8 June 2015.
19. ^Furukawa, Takuya; Gene, Tim (2008). The Case Closed Casebook: An Essential Guide. DH Publishing Inc. p. 107. ISBN978-1-932-89730-2.
20. ^'金田一少年の事件簿 ： 誕生20周年で12年ぶり通年連載' (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
21. ^'Published Comic Volumes' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
22. ^The Kindaichi Case Files - When are the new ones going to be released ? [URGENT TOKYOPOP] - TOKYOPOP Message Board
23. ^https://www.amazon.com/Yukiyasha-Legend-Murders-Kindaichi-Files/dp/B000SAXJOG/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490635767&sr=1-6&keywords=New+Kindaichi+Files
24. ^https://www.amazon.com/The-New-Kindaichi-Files/dp/4770022883/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490635767&sr=1-3&keywords=New+Kindaichi+Files
25. ^https://www.amazon.com/Yukiyasha-Legend-Murders-Kindaichi-Files/dp/B000SAUWHS/ref=sr_1_110?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490634631&sr=1-110&keywords=KODANSHA+BILINGUAL+COMICS
26. ^https://www.amazon.com/Yukiyasha-Legend-Murders-Kindaichi-Files/dp/4770026692/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490635847&sr=1-13&keywords=New+Kindaichi+Files
27. ^https://www.mangabox.me/reader/167/episodes/
28. ^https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-16/kindaichi-case-files-gets-2-more-spinoff-manga
29. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files Novel No.1' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
30. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files Novel No.9' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
31. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files Anime Special' (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
32. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: DVD Collector's Box' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
33. ^'Detective Manga The Kindaichi Case Files Gets New TV Anime'. Anime News Network. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
34. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Hihō Island: The New Tragedy' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
35. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Star Viewing Island: Sad Demon of Revenge' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
36. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Hell Park Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
37. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Azure Dragon Legend Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
38. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: 10th Year's Invitation' (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
39. ^'Detective Conan & The Kindaichi Case Files: The Meeting of the Two Famous Detectives' (in Japanese). Bandai. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
40. ^'Detective Conan & The Kindaichi Case Files: The Meeting of the Two Famous Detectives' (in Japanese). Famitsu. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
41. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Devil's Killing Navigation' (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
42. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Devil Suite Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
43. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Death God Hospital Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
44. ^'NTV The Kindaichi Case Files series' (in Japanese). Nippon Television. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
45. ^'NTV The Kindaichi Case Files TV Special' (in Japanese). Nippon Television. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
46. ^'Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo: Shanghai Ningyo Densetsu'. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
47. ^'Shonen Magazine, Shonen Sunday Mark 50th Anniversary'. Anime News Network. March 18, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
48. ^ ^ab名探偵コナン＆金田一少年の事件簿 [Detective Conan & The Kindaichi Case Files] (in Japanese). Aga-search.com. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
49. ^Divers, Allen (February 11, 2004). 'Tankobon Tower - and then, there was another column'. Anime News Network. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
50. ^Thompson, Jason. Manga: The Complete Guide. Del Rey. pp. 182–183. ISBN978-0-345-48590-8.
51. ^http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/01/22-1/37-year-old-hajime-kindaichi-returns-in-new-the-kindaichi-case-files-manga

External links[edit]

• The Kindaichi Case Files (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

The Kindaichi Case Files (Japanese: 金田一少年の事件簿Hepburn: Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo) is a Japanese mysterymanga series based on the crime solving adventures of a high school student, Hajime Kindaichi, the supposed grandson of the famous (fictional) private detective Kosuke Kindaichi.^[6][7] They are written by Yōzaburō Kanari or Seimaru Amagi (depending on series) and illustrated by Fumiya Satō.^[8] The Kindaichi series, which started serialization in Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 1992,^[8] is one of the earliest works in the mystery manga genre. In 1995, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen.^[9]

The serialization of the new Kindaichi series started in 2004,^[10][11] but not on a regular basis until 2012. The manga resumed regular serialization in 2012 to commemorate the 20th anniversary. The regular weekly serialization continued in 2013 with the title changed to The File of Young Kindaichi Returns (金田一少年の事件簿RKindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo Ritānzu). Kindaichitankōbon were ranked 2nd and 3rd in a Japanese Comic Ranking in October, 2009.^[12]

The series has also been animated by Toei Animation, first as a feature film, with Kappei Yamaguchi as the voice of Kindaichi, released in 1996 and then a television series, with Taiki Matsuno voicing Kindaichi in this and subsequent productions for 148 episodes from 1997 to 2000,^[7][13] and there has since been a live-action film,^[14] four live-action drama series, three live-action television specials and further animated features for cinema and television.^[13] A new anime television series adaptation, titled The Kindaichi Case Files R (Returns), began airing on April 5, 2014 and concluded on September 27, 2014. The voice actors of the main characters from the first anime television series reprise their roles.^[15] A second season began airing on October 3, 2015.^[16]

The collected stories are published in English by Tokyopop with the title The Kindaichi Case Files.^[17] Only the first 17 volumes (the first series) have been released by Tokyopop. The series is airing on Animax Asia as The File of Young Kindaichi in Japanese with English subtitles.^[18]

The latest series, 37 Year Old Kindaichi Case Files, is set 20 years later, in which Hajime graduates high school, and becomes a manager of a PR firm, but is swung back into mysteries, despite quitting detective work.

• 3Media

Overview[edit]

Kindaichi mysteries are whodunnit stories featuring (usually multiple) gruesome murders, often with a supernatural tinge. They are typically of the style of John Dickson Carr, and frequently feature a locked room mystery^[7] or other seemingly 'impossible' crimes, such as a murder occurring when all surviving suspects have (apparently) airtight alibis.

A notable distinction of The Kindaichi Case Files is that the killers are not depicted as psychopathic murderers and the murders are never committed for financial reasons alone. The identified killers all have deep rooted problems, often involving great emotional trauma through the greed or thoughtlessness of others, as their reasons for committing the murder(s). Thus the killers are often portrayed as sympathetic figures, as opposed to cold, calculating killers in some other mystery series.

In addition to this, after being revealed the criminal usually attempts suicide.^[19]

Characters[edit]

Hajime Kindaichi (金田一 一Kindaichi Hajime)

Voiced by: Taiki Matsuno and Kappei Yamaguchi (Anime film #1 only)

Played by: Tsuyoshi Domoto (1995 show), Jun Matsumoto (2001 show), Kazuya Kamenashi, Ryosuke Yamada

17-year-old Fudo High School student Hajime Kindaichi is unmotivated, lazy, and a little lecherous, much to the exasperation of childhood friend Miyuki Nanase. However, only a few people see his great intelligence and deductive prowess by his -180 IQ, possibly inherited from his grandfather, private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. He is also an accomplished sleight of hand artist. Despite his clumsiness and myriad other flaws, he is a loyal friend and a first-rate detective.

20 years later, he became a PR firm manager, quitting detective work. But crimes never retire. So he was stuck into a case he solved many years ago.

Miyuki Nanase (七瀬 美雪Nanase Miyuki)

Voiced by: Akiko Nakagawa

Played by: Rie Tomosaka (1995 show), Anne Suzuki (2001 show), Juri Ueno, Haruna Kawaguchi

The childhood best friend and next door neighbor of Hajime; many question why a model student like Miyuki is friends with a slacker like him. Deep down inside, Miyuki feels Hajime is not an idiot, and they seem to have a love that neither has yet fully expressed. She possesses remarkable logic and perception, although she is obviously not as gifted as he is. Miyuki is the president of Fudo High's student council.

20 years later, she became a flight attendant. She connects to Hajime via cellphone.

Isamu Kenmochi (剣持 勇Kenmochi Isamu)

Voiced by: Jūrōta Kosugi and Isao Natsuyagi (Anime film only)

Played by: Masato Furuoya (1995 show), Masaya Kato, Tomomitsu Yamaguchi

A Tokyohomicide police inspector who met Kindaichi on his first case, and was so impressed that he has lent the youngster his unquestioning support ever since. He is often the investigating officer on Kindaichi's cases, and provides the official stamp of approval Kindaichi often needs to pursue his investigations. He believes fully in Kindaichi's ability.

20 years later, he retired, but had contact with Hajime.

Kengo Akechi (明智 健悟Akechi Kengo)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa

Played by: Mansaku Ikeuchi

An extremely intelligent, elite-level police detective (superintendent), who is Kenmochi's supervisor. He is an arrogant and snobbish character that becomes a rival to Kindaichi in crime-solving. However, Akechi (indeliberately) not only helped Kindaichi solve the case, but also aided him out of trouble. His relationship to Kindaichi is abrasive at the least, but they have an unspoken mutual respect for each other's abilities. He often compares the crimes in Japan to his experience in Los Angeles. He is proficient in English and French.

20 years later, he became a Police Commissioner.

Ryuta Saki (佐木 竜太Saki Ryūta) and Ryuji Saki (佐木 竜二Saki Ryūji)

Voiced by: Keiichi Nanba (Ryuta Saki)

Played by: Tomohiro Hara (1995 show), Jun Hasegawa (2001 show) (Ryuta Saki)

Played by: Daiki Arioka (Ryuji Saki)

He is obsessed with filming through a V8 camera. He basically shoots everywhere at any time. His tape helped Kindaichi solved the case. In 'The Santa Slayings', his tape recorded a critical piece of evidence and he was killed for this. In 'Kindaichi the Killer', his younger brother, Ryuji Saki, who very much resembled his elder brother, approached Kindaichi at a party, telling him his elder brother told him in a dream that Kindaichi would be in trouble. Soon after, Ryuji helped Kindaichi avoid a murder trap. Afterwards, Ryuji claims himself as Kindaichi's assistant and sometimes really helps Kindaichi in solving cases. In the anime series, Ryuta survived the attack in 'The Santa Slayings' story arc and Ryuji did not appear later on.

Reika Hayami (速水 玲香Hayami Reika)

Voiced by: Mayumi Iizuka

A famous actress and singer, first appearing in 'Death TV', who initially appeared to be arrogant but turned out to be weak and desperate for protection. After this case, Reika has had a crush on Kindaichi and sent her only Valentine's Day gift, a heart-shaped chocolate, to him without revealing her name. Since then, she and Miyuki seem to be rivals over Kindaichi. In 'Playing the Fool', Reika's past, that even she lost memory of, was revealed. In 'Reika's Kidnapping', it was revealed that Reika's real mother is veteran actress Keiko Mitamura, but throughout the series Reika never knew it, and it was a secret that only Keiko and Kindaichi know.

Fumi Kindaichi (金田一 二三Kindaichi Fumi)

Voiced by: Haruna Ikezawa

Kindaichi's cousin. First appeared in 'Saint Valentine's Murders' in manga and 'The Undying Butterflies' in the anime television series, and later became a regular character appearing in the majority of cases for an extended period. Fumi has good reasoning skills (although not as good as Kindaichi), she even solves a few mysteries on her own. She sometimes pokes fun at Kindaichi when nobody else is around. Inspector Kenmochi nicknames her 'Chibikin' (meaning little Kindaichi).

Yoichi Takato (高遠 遙一Takatō Yōichi)

Voiced by: Kenichi Ono

Played by: Hiroki Narimiya

Kindaichi's nemesis, also known as 'The Puppeteer From Hell' (地獄の傀儡師Jigoku no Kugutsushi). He is known to be extremely intelligent, considers himself to be the evil twin of Kindaichi, and describes their relationship as parallel lines. He is the only son of Reiko Chikamiya, an internationally known magician, who in turn drove Takato to be a magician himself. What he uncovered about the murder of his mother triggered what he is today. A twisted, cold-hearted magician who considers his devilish setups for the perfect crime as masterpieces, and tolerates no mistakes from the people he uses as his puppets.

20 years later, he called the trio on his cell.

Media[edit]

Manga[edit]

In Japan, there is a total of 71 volumes with 44 full cases, 17 Kindaichi's short cases, 7 Akechi's short cases, and 1 Takato's full case. Together, the volumes have sold over 90 million copies in Japan, making it one of the best selling manga of the 1990s.^[20] There are currently 11 volumes^[21] in the new re-run after serialisation of Detective School Q completes.

17 volumes have been published in North America, all except 2 with a complete story. The later volumes are unlikely to see print in the United States unless their relatively poor sales improve.^[22] New readers are recommended to read the volumes in order, since later stories sometimes reference killers or characters from previous tales, especially Kindaichi's nemesis, who will reappear in at least one of the mysteries not yet published. In general, all the mysteries followed a certain theme (such as a famous legend/story), or have a certain modus operandi. Various bilingual (Japanese-English) volumes have been released.^{[23][24][25][26]}

The spinoff manga Kindaichi Case Files: The Mini-Vacation was released in English on Manga Box.^[27][28]

Another sequel, 37 Year Old Kindaichi Case Files, was released.

Light novels[edit]

The novels were written by Seimaru Amagi and illustrated by Fumiya Satō. 9 volumes were released in Japan between September 22, 1994^[29] and April 20, 2001.^[30]

Anime[edit]

Produced by Toei Animation and directed by Daisuke Nishio, the anime adaptation of the original manga aired on Nippon Television between April 7, 1997 and September 11, 2000,^[13] spanning 148 episodes plus one special episode. In addition, two animated films were released on December 14, 1996 and August 21, 1999 respectively. Seven years after the conclusion of the TV anime, two new animated episodes were aired in Japan on November 12, 2007 and November 19, 2007 respectively.^[31]

On April 6, 2007, DVD collector's box of Kindaichi was released by Warner Home Video to mark the 10th anniversary of airing of the original TV anime.^[32]

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the series, two special episodes based on 'The Black Magic Murders' were released on DVDs in November 2012 and February 2013.

An anime television series, The File of Young Kindaichi Returns aired from April 5 to 27 September 2014.^[33] A second season aired from October 3, 2015 to March 26, 2016. They are streamed on Crunchyroll.

Video games[edit]

7 Kindaichi video games were released as of September 17, 2009. All of them were released in Japan only. Many of the game voice actors differ from those in the anime version.

CD books[edit]

Kodansha released two CD books in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Both have been made into anime. However, nearly all CD books voice actors are not the same as those in the anime version.

Live action series[edit]

NTV aired four live action series in 1995, 1996, 2001, and 2014.^[44]Specials were aired in 2005,^[45] 2013, and 2014.

Tsuyoshi Dōmoto of the Kinki Kids and Rie Tomosaka starred as Hajime Kindaichi and Miyuki Nanase in the first two series. In season 3, Jun Matsumoto of Arashi starred as Hajime Kindaichi and Suzuki Anne starred as Miyuki Nanase. In season 4, Ryosuke Yamada starred as Hajime Kindaichi while Haruna Kawaguchi portrayed Miyuki Nanase.

In 2005, a special based on 'The Legendary Vampire Murders' was aired featuring Kazuya Kamenashi of KAT-TUN and Ueno Juri as Kindaichi and Miyuki Nanase.

In 2013, a special based on Hong Kong Kowloon Treasure Murder Case was aired featuring Ryosuke Yamada and Daiki Arioka of Hey! Say! JUMP and Haruna Kawaguchi also with Vivian Hsu, Eric Tsang, Big Bang member Seungri, Rookies actor Kenta Kiritani and Taiwanese actor Chun Wu (actually in Japanese voice was Daisuke Namikawa).

In 2014, a special based on Gate of Jail Private School Murder Case was aired also featuring Ryosuke Yamada, Chun Wu who also played from the previous special also played again (this time in Japanese was Hiroki Touchi) and Haruna Kawaguchi also feature Nichkhun from 2PM.

Live action film[edit]

A live action film entitled Shanghai Mermaid Legend Murder Case, was released on December 13, 1997 in Japan. The film was directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi and starring Tsuyoshi Dōmoto and Rie Tomosaka.^[14][46] It is an adaptation of the Kindaichi novel of the same title.

Detective Conan & Kindaichi[edit]

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Weekly Shōnen Magazine, the two magazines collaborated to publish twelve biweekly magazines consisting of chapters from Weekly Shōnen Sunday's Case Closed and Weekly Shōnen Magazine's The Kindaichi Case Files.^[47][48] The magazine ran between April 10, 2008 and September 25, 2008.^[48]

Reception[edit]

In 1995, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen's category.^[9]

Allen Divers of Anime News Network said that while The Kindaichi Case Files 'presents some whoppers', the series also has mysteries that are very 'familiar', calling it 'the Japanese version of the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.'^[49] In Manga: The Complete GuideJason Thompson described the mystery scenarios as 'inventive and intricate, offering genuine brain teasers', but criticised the artwork as 'bland'.^[50]

The manga has over 90 million copies in print.^[51]

References[edit]

1. ^'Manga + Comics : Kindaichi Case Files, The'. Tokyopop. Archived from the original on September 16, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
2. ^'YOUNG KINDAICHI'S CASE BOOK'. Toei Animation. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
3. ^'Akechi Shōnen no Karei Naru Jikenbo' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
4. ^https://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/film/the_file_of_young_kindaichi_de.php
5. ^'Animax Asia to Air , Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions, Kindaichi R'. Anime News Network. January 6, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
6. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files 2008 New Anime' (in Japanese). Tokyo MX. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
7. ^ ^abc'Toei Anime Premium - The Kindaichi Case Files' (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
8. ^ ^ab'Weekly Shōnen Magazine – The Kindaichi Case Files' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
9. ^ ^abJoel Hahn. 'Kodansha Manga Awards'. Comic Book Awards Almanac. Archived from the original on August 16, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
10. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Vampire Legend Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
11. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Vampire Legend Murder Case' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
12. ^'Japanese Comic Ranking'. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
13. ^ ^abc'The Kindaichi Case Files Anime' (in Japanese). Toei Animation. October 10, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
14. ^ ^ab'The Kindaichi Case Files Movie Information' (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
15. ^'Revival: The Kindaichi Case Files Returns' (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
16. ^'The File of Young Kindaichi Returns Manga Gets 2nd Anime Adaptation in October'. Anime News Network. July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
17. ^'Manga+Comics: The Kindaichi Case Files'. Tokyopop. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
18. ^'THE FILE OF YOUNG KINDAICHI.' Animax Asia. Retrieved on 8 June 2015.
19. ^Furukawa, Takuya; Gene, Tim (2008). The Case Closed Casebook: An Essential Guide. DH Publishing Inc. p. 107. ISBN978-1-932-89730-2.
20. ^'金田一少年の事件簿 ： 誕生20周年で12年ぶり通年連載' (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
21. ^'Published Comic Volumes' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
22. ^The Kindaichi Case Files - When are the new ones going to be released ? [URGENT TOKYOPOP] - TOKYOPOP Message Board
23. ^https://www.amazon.com/Yukiyasha-Legend-Murders-Kindaichi-Files/dp/B000SAXJOG/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490635767&sr=1-6&keywords=New+Kindaichi+Files
24. ^https://www.amazon.com/The-New-Kindaichi-Files/dp/4770022883/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490635767&sr=1-3&keywords=New+Kindaichi+Files
25. ^https://www.amazon.com/Yukiyasha-Legend-Murders-Kindaichi-Files/dp/B000SAUWHS/ref=sr_1_110?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490634631&sr=1-110&keywords=KODANSHA+BILINGUAL+COMICS
26. ^https://www.amazon.com/Yukiyasha-Legend-Murders-Kindaichi-Files/dp/4770026692/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490635847&sr=1-13&keywords=New+Kindaichi+Files
27. ^https://www.mangabox.me/reader/167/episodes/
28. ^https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-16/kindaichi-case-files-gets-2-more-spinoff-manga
29. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files Novel No.1' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
30. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files Novel No.9' (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
31. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files Anime Special' (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
32. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: DVD Collector's Box' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
33. ^'Detective Manga The Kindaichi Case Files Gets New TV Anime'. Anime News Network. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
34. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Hihō Island: The New Tragedy' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
35. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Star Viewing Island: Sad Demon of Revenge' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
36. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Hell Park Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
37. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Azure Dragon Legend Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
38. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: 10th Year's Invitation' (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
39. ^'Detective Conan & The Kindaichi Case Files: The Meeting of the Two Famous Detectives' (in Japanese). Bandai. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
40. ^'Detective Conan & The Kindaichi Case Files: The Meeting of the Two Famous Detectives' (in Japanese). Famitsu. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
41. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Devil's Killing Navigation' (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
42. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Devil Suite Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
43. ^'The Kindaichi Case Files: Death God Hospital Murder Case' (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
44. ^'NTV The Kindaichi Case Files series' (in Japanese). Nippon Television. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
45. ^'NTV The Kindaichi Case Files TV Special' (in Japanese). Nippon Television. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
46. ^'Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo: Shanghai Ningyo Densetsu'. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
47. ^'Shonen Magazine, Shonen Sunday Mark 50th Anniversary'. Anime News Network. March 18, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
48. ^ ^ab名探偵コナン＆金田一少年の事件簿 [Detective Conan & The Kindaichi Case Files] (in Japanese). Aga-search.com. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
49. ^Divers, Allen (February 11, 2004). 'Tankobon Tower - and then, there was another column'. Anime News Network. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
50. ^Thompson, Jason. Manga: The Complete Guide. Del Rey. pp. 182–183. ISBN978-0-345-48590-8.
51. ^http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/01/22-1/37-year-old-hajime-kindaichi-returns-in-new-the-kindaichi-case-files-manga

External links[edit]

• The Kindaichi Case Files (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia