Detective Conan [Episode 1186]

Detective Conan Episode 1186: A Classic Whodunit That Feels Like Coming Home

If you’ve ever binged Detective Conan (or Case Closed, for my English dub crew), you know the drill: a sunny day turns dark, a dead body drops, and Conan Edogawa—aka teen genius Jimmy Kudo trapped in a kid’s body—starts squinting at clues no one else notices. Episode 1186 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but honestly? That’s why it works. For fans who’ve stuck with this TMS Entertainment staple since its 1996 debut (yes, it’s been that long), this episode is like hanging out with an old friend—familiar, comforting, and just twisty enough to keep you glued to the screen.

Let’s cut to the chase: the case here is classic Conan. A murder happens, and as one MyAnimeList user put it, “the number suspect is always the person close to you.” No spoilers, but if you’ve ever yelled at the screen, “It’s the best friend!” or “Why is the cousin so calm?”, you’ll feel vindicated. The victim’s inner circle is full of red herrings—someone with a grudge, someone hiding a secret, someone who’s just too nice. Conan, of course, pieces it all together with those signature “aha!” moments: a broken locket, a mismatched coffee order, a lie about a phone call. Even if you guess the culprit early (guilty!), watching Conan outsmart the adults (looking at you, Inspector Megure) never gets old.

What makes this episode click, though, is its balance of humor and tension. There’s the usual chaos with the Detective Boys—Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko bickering over snacks while Conan facepalms—and Ran’s endless worry about “Jimmy” (bless her heart, she still hasn’t figured it out). The animation is solid too; TMS keeps the art style consistent, so you never feel like you’re watching a different show. The background music, with its eerie piano riffs during investigations and upbeat jingles for comedic bits, hits all the right notes.

Now, let’s talk fan vibes. The MyAnimeList comments for this episode are exactly what you’d expect from the Conan community. One user loved the “classic” feel, while another (keeping it real) said, “if you hated this episode/chapter, just watch/read something else.” Let’s be honest: Conan isn’t for everyone. If you crave non-stop Black Organization drama, this filler episode might feel slow. But if you’re here for the cozy, “solve a crime over tea” energy? This is your jam. It’s the kind of episode you watch after a long day—no heavy lore, no cliffhangers, just pure detective fun.

Is there anything to nitpick? Maybe the pacing. At 24 minutes, it’s tight, but some scenes feel rushed (looking at you, the quickie confession). And let’s be real: the “kid in a bowtie solving murders” gimmick is still wild if you think about it. But that’s part of Conan’s charm! It’s campy, it’s over-the-top, and it’s unapologetically itself.

For 20-somethings who grew up with Conan (or 10-somethings just discovering it), Episode 1186 is a reminder of why this show has lasted 28 years. It’s not about flashy animation or complex plots—it’s about the thrill of the puzzle. It’s about rooting for the underdog (even if the underdog is a genius in a elementary school uniform). And let’s not forget: every filler episode is a chance to see Conan be a kid for a second—playing soccer, eating curry, pretending he’s not secretly plotting to take down a criminal syndicate.

So, should you watch Episode 1186? If you’re a die-hard fan? Duh. If you’re new? Start with a Black Organization arc first (trust me, those hit different). But if you want a taste of Conan’s bread and butter—fun, formulaic, and full of heart—this episode delivers. As one fan put it, sometimes you don’t need a revolution; you just need a good mystery. And in that department, Episode 1186 scores a perfect 10/10.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rewatch the scene where Conan uses his voice-changing bowtie to trick the culprit. Classic.

— A fellow Conan stan

P.S. If you loved this, hit up the MyAnimeList forum for more theories. And if you didn’t? Well, as the other user said—there’s always next week’s episode. 😉