The Roller Coaster Murder Case
Japanese Title ジェットコースター殺人事件 (Jetto Kōsutā Satsujin Jiken)
April 25, 2025 (International)
The Roller Coaster Murder Case (ジェットコースター殺人事件, Jetto Kōsutā Satsujin Jiken) is the iconic first episode of the Detective Conan anime series. Originally aired on January 8, 1996, this episode introduces viewers to the high school detective Shinichi Kudo and sets the stage for his thrilling adventures in crime-solving.
Known as "The Big Shrink" in the English dub, the episode cleverly intertwines two gripping mysteries: a murder at a private mansion and a shocking decapitation during a roller coaster ride at Tropical Land amusement park.
This episode serves as an introduction to the core characters like Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mouri, and later additions such as Ayumi Yoshida, Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, and Genta Kojima, who were created specifically for the anime and would only appear later in the manga. Its blend of suspense, character development, and sharp deductions has made the roller coaster murder case a beloved cornerstone of the Detective Conan franchise.
Characters
The episode features a rich cast of characters who play major and minor roles in the case:
Main Characters
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Shinichi Kudo: 16-17 years old, a brilliant high school detective
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Ran Mouri: 16 years old, high school student and karate champion
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Kogoro Mouri: 38 years old, Ran’s father and a detective
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Juzo Megure: Inspector from Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
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Gin & Vodka: Members of the Black Organization, mysterious antagonists
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Hiroshi Agasa: Shinichi’s family friend, engineer, and inventor
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Detective Boys:
- Ayumi Yoshida (7 years old, classmate)
- Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya (7 years old, classmate)
- Genta Kojima (7 years old, classmate)
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Kishida: Victim of the roller coaster murder
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Aiko, Hitomi, Reiko: Key suspects in the roller coaster case
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Mansion Owner: Wheelchair-bound man linked to the first murder
Note: The Detective Boys (Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, Genta) are anime-original additions introduced here, while in the manga they appear later.
Plot Summary
Case 1: Crime at the Private Mansion
The episode begins mid-case at a private mansion during a party. President Tetsu Yamazaki of Yatsubishi Bank is found shot dead in a locked room. Despite police investigations led by Inspector Megure, no conclusive evidence arises. Enter Shinichi Kudo, who immediately claims to have solved the case.
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Location: Private Mansion
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Victim: Tetsu Yamazaki, 38 years old
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Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to the chest
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Suspects: Mansion owner, guests
The mansion owner is wheelchair-bound and a close friend of the victim.
Case 2: Roller Coaster Murder Case
The next day, Shinichi visits Tropical Land amusement park with Ran after promising her a visit if she won the regional karate championship. While waiting in line for the Mystery Coaster, Shinichi impresses Ran with a deduction about a gymnast girl based on subtle clues.
However, the fun is cut short when Kishida, Aiko’s boyfriend, is found decapitated while riding the roller coaster. The suspects include Aiko, Hitomi, Reiko, and two mysterious Men in Black who are involved in a weapon smuggling deal.
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Location: Tropical Land amusement park
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Victim: Kishida (decapitated)
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Cause of Death: Decapitation during roller coaster ride
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Suspects: Aiko, Hitomi, Reiko, Men in Black (Gin and Vodka)
Episode Resolution: Chasing the Men in Black
The episode concludes with Shinichi chasing the enigmatic men in black involved in criminal dealings, hinting at the larger overarching plot involving the Black Organization.
Staff & Production Details
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Director: Kenji Kodama
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Screenplay: Hiroshi Kashiwabara
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Storyboard: Kenji Kodama
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Episode Director: Kenji Kodama
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Animation Director: Masatomo Sudo
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Character Design: Masatomo Sudo
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Opening Theme: "Mune ga Dokidoki"
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Closing Theme: "STEP BY STEP"
Voice Cast
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Minami Takayama: Conan Edogawa
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Kappei Yamaguchi: Shinichi Kudo
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Wakana Yamazaki: Ran Mouri
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Akira Kamiya: Kogoro Mouri
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Kenichi Ogata: Hiroshi Agasa
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Chafurin: Juzo Megure
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Wataru Takagi: Genta Kojima (uncredited for some roles)
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Ikue Otani: Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya
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Yukiko Iwai: Ayumi Yoshida
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Takeshi Watabe: Mansion owner
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Yukitoshi Hori: Man in black A
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Fumihiko Tachiki: Man in black B
Manga to Anime Changes
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The Detective Boys appear in this episode, but they debut later in the manga.
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Hiroshi Agasa and Kogoro Mouri appear earlier in the anime than in the manga.
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The mansion owner kills his friend Yamazaki in the anime, whereas in the manga, he kills his wife.
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Minor scene differences, such as Shinichi scoring a goal with a soccer ball in the anime vs. simply kicking it back in the manga.
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Additional scenes and altered dialogue for pacing and character introduction.
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The remastered 2009 version removed some graphic scenes, like blood on the roller coaster.
Trivia & Translation Differences
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Shinichi’s deduction about the culprit’s tear on his forehead was notable, but missed the wind changes.
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English dub names differ: Shinichi (Jimmy), Ran (Rachel), Kogoro (Richard), and others.
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In English dub, some character motivations and dialogue are altered for localization.
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The 20th-anniversary TV special remake aired in 2016 with new animation and expanded backstories.
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The special was released in the US by Discotek Media with an English dub in 2019 and a Blu-ray release in 2020.
Related Links
The Roller Coaster Murder Case stands as the thrilling opening chapter to Detective Conan, introducing the sharp intellect of Shinichi Kudo and the dangerous shadow of the Black Organization. This episode expertly combines two murder mysteries, memorable characters, and high-stakes suspense to captivate audiences from the very start. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to the series, exploring this case is essential to appreciate the roots of Detective Conan.
Ready to dive into the world of mystery and deduction? Start here with the roller coaster murder case and follow Shinichi’s transformation into the legendary detective Conan Edogawa.
