Detective Conan vs. Kid the Phantom Thief Movie Review : Conan's showdown with the Phantom Thief is a familiar but thrilling adventure

Story: This anime condenses the TV episodes featuring the showdown between Conan and Kaito. Kaito uncovers his late father's secret identity as the Phantom Thief Kid and begins his quest to expose the mysterious organization responsible for his father's death.

Review: ‘Detective Conan vs. Kid the Phantom Thief’ takes viewers on a nostalgic journey, condensing TV episodes that highlighted the rivalry between Detective Conan and the Phantom Thief. The film recaps the evolving relationship between Conan and Kaito Kid, making it an enjoyable watch for newcomers unfamiliar with the Detective Conan world. However, for die-hard fans, it doesn't offer anything new. As the 27th film in the series, it mainly serves as a refresher of events that aired 16 years ago. Despite this, the film resembles a typical commercial action blockbuster, with engaging moments.

The story follows Kaito Kuroba, a first-year student at Ekoda High School, who discovers that his father, Toichi Kuroba, a magician, was secretly the Kaito Kid and was murdered by a mysterious organization. Determined to uncover the truth behind his father's death, Kaito dons his father's disguise and becomes the Kaito Kid, embarking on a quest for the elusive jewel that led to his father's demise. Meanwhile, Jirokichi Suzuki is determined to capture him, but Kaito repeatedly outsmarts him. Detective Conan enters the scene to arrest the Phantom Thief, sparking the beginning of their rivalry.

This film explores the history of the rivalry between Conan and Kaito Kid, with a seamless narrative that never feels disjointed. It also contains a crucial hint for series fans, offering a glimpse into the storyline of the next film that appears at the end of the film. The events in the film are drawn from episodes 219, 356, and 473, featuring the Modern Lupin/the Moonlight Magician, and the Phantom Thief. The film also showcases the first encounter between Conan and Kaito on the rooftop of Haido City Hotel.

The film works well for viewers unfamiliar with the world of Detective Conan, with quirky characters like Futoshi Takarada, Sujio Hosokawa, and Suzuki adding to the fun. The animation is top-notch, and the pacing is consistently fast, with no dull moments. While ‘Detective Conan vs. Kid the Phantom Thief’ is entertaining, it doesn’t bring anything fresh to the table—more like old wine in a new bottle.