The late 90s were a fascinating time for anime fans outside Japan. Information trickled through magazines, grainy RealPlayer clips downloaded overnight, or perhaps, if you were lucky, a precious, subtitled VHS procured through mysterious channels. It was in this landscape that "Detective Conan: The Last Wizard of the Century" arrived in 1999, feeling like a major event. It wasn't just another episode; this was the pint-sized detective hitting the big screen with a mystery steeped in history, treasure hunting, and the electrifying debut of a certain white-suited phantom thief.
Directed by Kenji Kodama, a name familiar to anyone who followed the Detective Conan TV series, this third cinematic outing felt like a significant step up. It possessed a grander scale, weaving a captivating tale around a legendary Fabergé Imperial Easter Egg, a lost treasure of the doomed Romanov dynasty. The setup alone was pure catnip for mystery lovers: a cryptic note from the audacious Kaitou Kid announcing his intention to steal the newly discovered egg, pulling Conan Edogawa and his companions into a thrilling chase across Osaka.
A Mystery Fit for the Silver Screen
What immediately sets "The Last Wizard of the Century" apart is its confident blend of historical intrigue and the classic Conan formula. Writer Kazunari Kouchi masterfully uses the real-life mystery surrounding the Romanovs and their exquisite Fabergé creations as a backdrop for a complex web of deception, hidden identities, and, of course, murder. The film doesn't just rely on the gimmick; it genuinely explores the tragic history, lending unexpected weight to the treasure hunt. You felt like you were learning something fascinating while simultaneously trying to piece together the clues alongside Conan.
The introduction of Kaitou Kid as a major player was a stroke of genius. While fans knew him from the manga and occasional TV appearances, his cinematic debut here is nothing short of spectacular. His flair for the dramatic, his dazzling illusions, and his complex relationship with Conan – part rival, part reluctant ally – inject an incredible energy into the proceedings. Seeing these two brilliant minds clash amidst daring heists and high-stakes escapes was pure anime gold. I remember the buzz surrounding Kid's appearance; he instantly became a fan favorite, and this film cemented his status as an integral part of the Conan movie mythos.
Characters We Know and Love (Plus a Phantom Thief)
The familiar voice cast brings their A-game, making the transition to the big screen seamless. Minami Takayama’s performance as Conan is, as always, pitch-perfect, capturing both the sharp intellect of Shinichi Kudo and the childlike facade he must maintain. Wakana Yamazaki as Ran Mouri gets some compelling moments too, particularly as her suspicions about Conan's true identity resurface, adding a layer of personal drama amidst the grand adventure. And Akira Kamiya (the original voice) provides the reliable comedic foil as the often-bumbling but occasionally insightful Kogoro Mouri.
But it's the dynamic between Conan and Kid that truly steals the show. Their interactions are sharp, witty, and always keep you guessing. Are they enemies? Rivals? Something in between? The film plays with this ambiguity beautifully, creating moments of genuine tension and surprising camaraderie.
Retro Fun Facts & Late 90s Polish
"The Last Wizard of the Century" wasn't just a fan-pleaser; it was a significant box office success in Japan, earning around ¥2.6 billion – a testament to the enduring popularity of Gosho Aoyama's creation and a sign that the theatrical films were becoming major events. The animation, while recognizably late 90s cel animation, holds up remarkably well. There’s a richness and fluidity, particularly in the action sequences and Kid’s elaborate entrances and escapes, that surpassed the standard TV quality of the era. Think smooth pans across detailed backgrounds of Osaka Castle and thrilling rooftop chases under the moonlight.
Interestingly, the film cleverly incorporates real historical details about the Fabergé eggs and the Romanov family, blending them almost seamlessly with its fictional narrative centered around a supposed 51st Imperial Egg, the "Memory Egg." This blending of fact and fiction became a hallmark of some of the best Conan films that followed. It also features a memorable climax involving a collapsing castle, showcasing some impressive (for the time) destructive animation and raising the stakes considerably. There’s even a specific, rather famous twist regarding the identity of the film's antagonist, "Scorpion," which caught many viewers completely off guard back in the day (Spoiler Alert if you haven't seen it!).
Legacy of a Master Thief
While every Conan movie offers a puzzle, "The Last Wizard of the Century" felt special. It balanced its central mystery with character development, historical depth, and genuine thrills. It proved that the Conan formula could sustain a feature-length adventure with cinematic scope and solidified Kaitou Kid's role as a crucial, recurring character in the film series. For many, this was the movie that hooked them on the annual cinematic outings, establishing a pattern of anticipation for years to come. Watching it again evokes that specific thrill of late 90s anime filmmaking – ambitious storytelling, iconic character moments, and that distinct hand-drawn aesthetic just before the digital age fully took over.
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VHS Heaven Rating: 8.5/10
Justification: "The Last Wizard of the Century" earns its high score by expertly blending a compelling historical mystery with beloved characters, introducing Kaitou Kid to the big screen with unforgettable flair, and delivering genuinely thrilling action sequences. The animation is strong for its time, the plot is intricate without being overly convoluted, and the pacing keeps you engaged throughout. It set a high bar for subsequent Conan films and remains a standout entry, losing only minor points perhaps for adhering slightly formulaically to some established Conan tropes, but excelling in almost every other aspect.
Final Thought: This wasn't just another case for Conan; it was a cinematic treasure hunt that perfectly captured the magic of grand adventure anime, leaving us all eagerly awaiting the next glimpse of that enigmatic phantom thief. A true gem from the turn of the century.