Detective Conan: Manga File 654 – The end of “The Return” arc

Detective Conan Vol. 63, File 654 (Series Resolution: “Deduction Answer”) – Since I wrote an entry regarding the beginning of “The Return” arc, I think it makes sense to follow it up with an entry regarding the end of the arc, no? Oh, and I should add, just for good measure: **WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD**

**SPOILERS START**

A QUICK SUMMARY OF “THE RETURN” ARC… Um, so basically, this arc spanned 9 chapters (Files 646 to 654) found in 2 volumes (vol 62 and 63), and can be divided into 2 cases. In the DC fanbase, it’s generally referred to as “The Return” arc since Kudo Shinichi makes a comeback and, well, returns to his normal body.

File 646 marked the beginning of the arc with Shinichi making an appearance as his grown-up self. Although he returned to his normal body “by accident” – thanks to Prof. Agasa mistaking the antidote for a cold medicine! xD We also learned that Haibara has been developing an antidote for the experimental APTX4869 drug that made Shinichi shrink into Conan. So anyway, the first case dealt with someone accusing Shinichi of making a deduction mistake in a previous case he worked on. Heiji and Kazuha appear in this arc. Making things more complicated, Shinichi appears to have had an amnesia! This case gave me quite a bit of a headache trying to figure out the amnesia part, whether it was a side-effect of the experimental antidote, or caused by the jump on the cliff into the lake, or he’s acting it out. @_@ It turns out that the answer was none of the above… There’s this guy who has a grudge against Shinichi and is quite intent on ruining his reputation as a detective. This guy is so desperately determined that he even had plastic surgery done so his face would look like Shinichi’s. Heh. Naturally, Shinichi and Heiji figured it out. This case went on for 6 chapters, making Files 646 to 651 the first case.

This was quickly followed by the second case which began in File 652. Shinichi, Ran, Kogoro, Heiji and Kazuha are on their way back to Tokyo. They encounter a murder case in the highway involving a moving, locked car. Takagi and Satou appear in this part. Shinichi shrinks back to Conan, Heiji assists in concealing this secret by taking Shinichi to the hotel restroom. Haibara to the rescue! She figured that Shinichi/Conan would opt to hide in the restroom when the drug wears off, so she waited for him there (she hid in the next bathroom stall along with Prof. Agasa). She gives Conan another antidote but warns him it may wear off sooner than the previous one. He takes it and becomes Shinichi again, effectively covering up his secret identity once again. Oh, and cutesy Ran x Shinichi moments abound since Ran tells him she’d like to ask him quite an important question. Shinichi responds by saying there are things he’d like to say and ask her as well, adding that based on his deductions, what she wants to ask and what he wants to ask are the same thing (kyaa! This made the Ran x Shinichi fangirl in me happy! xD). Ahem, so moving on, Heiji and Shinichi figured it out together – case solved. Shinichi is feverish again since the effects of the antidote is wearing off, Ran holds his hand fearing that he’ll leave again before they can talk to each other. Ran says she’ll hold onto his hand real tight and won’t let go until they reach the hospital, which would obviously be a problem since she’d probably see him shrink into Conan. Haibara saves the day yet again, hitting Ran with a tranquilizer dart. Hence, Shinichi shrank back into Conan without Ran finding out. This case went on for 3 chapters, making Files 652 to 654 the second case of “The Return” arc.

MY IMPRESSION… It’s always awesome to see Heiji and Shinichi working on a case together! ^_^ As a Ran x Shinichi fan, it was nice to see some cutesy moments between them. Though those two are still beating around the bush, seeing them blush and getting the vibe that they feel the same way for each other gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. It was also amusing to see Heiji teasing Shinichi about it! xD Seeing Takagi and Satou together is good too, it looks like they were supposed to have a date but it inadvertently got canceled due to the case (sorry, Takagi). But, as usual, nothing in the main storyline is resolved other than the cases. Shinichi still shrinks back to Conan and his secret identity remains to be undiscovered by Ran. It’s good to know, though, that Haibara is working on an antidote. That’s quite a significant development in the main plot of this series.

**SPOILERS END**

I’m not sure what the following files would be, but I peeked at the raw of File 655 and it involves the Detective Boys. It seems like a normal case with no major connection to the main storyline. Looks like it’ll be a 3-parter.

Personally, I’m dying to I’d love to read a follow-up on the Clash of Red and Black! arc in the upcoming chapters. I seriously would like to know more about what happened to Akai and Rena. I’d also like to learn more about Okiya or Bourbon. Who’s that person that Conan allowed to stay at his house? I have so many questions concerning the Black Organization! Any arc involving the Black Org is worth reading. Or perhaps another Metropolitan Police Detective Love Story arc! It’s so cute to see Takagi and Satou’s relationship grow! ^_^

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You might also want to check out my other posts:

• Detective Conan: Manga File 646 – The beginning of “The Return” arc
• Other Detective Conan-related posts