During an appearance over the weekend, Detective Conan creator Gōshō Aoyama revealed that he has already drawn the thumbnail storyboards (known as name in Japanese) for the very last chapter of his long-running, mega-hit manga. Aoyama shared the update on Saturday during a special interview segment on YTV‘s 24-Jikan Terebi Saishin Jōhō SP, appearing alongside singers Taiga Kyōmoto and CHANMINA.
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The conversation turned toward the topic when CHANMINA—a devoted fan of Detective Conan—explained that she naturally approaches life by starting with the end goal in mind and working backward, even planning out her eventual retirement. She then turned to the manga artist to ask if he operates the same way.
Without missing a beat, Aoyama replied, “I have drafted the thumbnail layouts for the final chapter [of Detective Conan].” Visibly stunned, Kyōmoto noted that he had previously only heard that as a rumor. Aoyama then playfully asked both music stars if they would like to take a peek at his secret drafts. While CHANMINA was thrilled by the offer, Kyōmoto jokingly held back, much to Aoyama’s amusement. The creator wrapped up the fun exchange by assuring them that the ending draft is genuinely entertaining.
Beyond the interview, Aoyama designed the official t-shirt artwork for YTV‘s upcoming annual summer charity broadcast, 24 Hour Television: Love Saves The Earth (24-Jikan Terebi: Ai wa Chikyū o Sukuu). The special shirt features an illustration of classic Detective Conan cast members, including Conan Edogawa (Shin’ichi Kudo), Ran Mōri, Kogorō Mōri, Eri Kisaki, Hiroshi Agasa, Ayumi Yoshida, Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, Genta Kojima, and Ai Haibara. The charity telethon is scheduled to air on YTV on August 29 and 30.
©青山剛昌／小学館
Aoyama originally launched Detective Conan in the pages of Shogakukan‘s Weekly Shonen Sunday back in January 1994. The television anime adaptation followed in 1996, eventually expanding into a massive franchise boasting 29 anime films, crossover projects with Lupin III in 2009 and 2013, and a collaborative venture with Star Detective Precure! in April 2026.
Sources: 24-Hour TV’s X/Twitter account (link 2), Oricon News, 24 jikan Terebi Saishin Jōhō SP on TVer via Hachima Kikō