Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet

Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet – A High-Speed Rollercoaster of Action and Family Drama

Let’s cut straight to the chase: Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet isn’t here to reinvent the wheel. It’s here to give you exactly what you want from a Conan blockbuster—over-the-top action, snappy humor, and enough Akai family tension to power a bullet train. And boy, does it deliver.

First off, let’s talk about that train. You know the one—the maglev speeding toward Tokyo’s brand-new stadium during the World Sports Games, hijacked by a madman with a grudge against the Olympics. The crash scene? Chef’s kiss. As one fan put it, “The tension I felt when the train crashed was amazing.” Conan clinging to the roof, Akai Shuichi taking aim with his rifle, Sera Masumi throwing punches like she’s in a martial arts flick—this is the kind of chaotic fun that makes Conan movies worth watching. Sure, there’s a little plot armor (how do Conan and Sera walk away from that wreck without a scratch?), but who cares when the visuals are this insane?

But it’s not all explosions and high-speed chases. The Akai family steals the show. Mary, the sharp-tongued mom with a grudge against the FBI, Sera’s fiery determination to prove herself, and Shukichi’s quiet brilliance—their interactions are pure gold. The fight scene between Akai and Sera? Iconic. “Akai’s mom took the MVP,” one fan raved, and they’re not wrong. Mary’s no-nonsense attitude and secret agent vibes add a layer of mystery that leaves you craving more.

Let’s not forget the humor. Yumi, our favorite bumbling cop, is back and funnier than ever. Her scenes—whether she’s geeking out over Shukichi or accidentally causing chaos—had the theater laughing out loud. And Kogoro? Classic Kogoro. Staring into the void, pretending to solve the case while Conan does all the work. “Kogoro, as always, just stared into the void and pretended to do something HAHAHAHAH,” a fan joked. Some things never change, and we love it.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the mystery. Is it the strongest Conan has ever had? No. “The mystery is the weakest out of all the movies,” one fan admitted. The culprit’s motive feels a bit forced, and the clues are laid out so obviously you might solve it before Conan does. But here’s the thing—Scarlet Bullet isn’t trying to be a mind-bending whodunit. It’s a character-driven action flick, and in that regard, it nails it. The Akai family drama, the FBI’s involvement, the subtle nods to the manga (like Sera figuring out Conan’s secret)—these are the parts that stick with you.

The music deserves a shoutout too. The jazz-infused score with those killer sax solos? Perfect for a high-stakes heist. And the ending theme? Catchy enough to have you humming it on your way out of the theater.

Critics might say it’s not as good as The Phantom of Baker Street or The Darkest Nightmare, and they’re right. But that’s okay. Scarlet Bullet isn’t trying to be the best—it’s trying to be a good time. And for 20-somethings who grew up with Conan, that’s exactly what we need. It’s a nostalgic trip with enough new twists to keep it fresh.

So, should you watch it? Absolutely. Grab your friends, buy some popcorn, and prepare to be entertained. Just don’t overthink the science (how does Conan’s soccer ball stop a bullet train? Who cares!) and enjoy the ride.

Final Verdict: 7/10. Not the best Conan movie, but definitely one of the most fun. The Akai family, the action, and Yumi’s comedy make it worth every penny.

As one fan summed it up: “Man, yet another Conan movie from recent years that was a blast to watch.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Now, when’s the next Akai family spin-off? We’re waiting.