Instances Where Conan Edogawa Failed to Solve a Crime

While Detective Conan (Case Closed) is renowned for its intricacies and the intellectual prowess of its protagonist, Conan Edogawa, there are instances where he falls short in solving a crime before others. This article delves into various episodes where Conan is unable to solve a case or reveal the culprit in time. It highlights the brilliance of his fellow characters and the reason behind Gosho Aoyama's storytelling approach.

Notable Examples of Conan's Failures

One of the most striking episodes where Conan did not solve the case before others is titled Another Example in Episode 225. In this episode, Detective Conan and Akiaki fail to solve the case, while Yusako (Dr. Kudo) and Akai beat him to it. This highlights the exceptional analytical skills of Yusako and Akai.

The Intelligences of Yusako and Akai

Gosho Aoyama, the author of Detective Conan, frequently emphasizes in his interviews that Yusako is the smartest. This is evident in several cases where Yusako solves the puzzle before Conan. For instance, in episodes 690–691, Yusako successfully solves Kudo's cold case and gives a hint to Conan to guide him to the culprit. Similarly, in episodes 861–862, Akai solves a case and points out a crucial detail that helps Conan understand the crime scene better.

Conan's Success with Fellow Detectives

In other cases, Conan successfully solves the cases, especially when he is with other detectives such as Heiji and other fellow sleuths. The mentoring aspect is another key reason why Conan often outperforms others. These collaborative efforts often lead them to solve the case together.

The Least Common Moment of Failure

However, the rarest and most intriguing instance where Conan is beaten to solving a case by his father Yusaku is in the English dub, episodes 96 and 100–102. In this episode, Yusaku uses a tiny clue to solve the case immediately, while Conan struggles with the case. It demonstrates Yusaku's extraordinary intelligence and how he surpasses Conan even on his best day.

Other Instances of Failure

Another notable episode is Episode 1008, where Yusako and Akai collaborate to solve a mystery, referring to the conclusion as a joint effort. Additionally, in Episode 886, the character Momiji, by coincidence, identifies a crucial detail that helps Conan. In another episode, Chapter 1043–1046 (not yet released in the animated series but in the manga), Shukichi (Akai's brother) reveals the murderer before Conan.

Overall, while Conan is the central character, the instances where he fails to solve a crime before others are enlightening. These moments underscore the intelligence of characters like Yusako and Akai and serve as a testament to Gosho Aoyama's intention to showcase a variety of detective skills and intellect.