With 270 million copies in print and three consecutive years of box office revenue exceeding $660 million each, the production committee behind the world's biggest detective anime, Detective Conan, has done something unprecedented: publicly revealing its promotional strategy for the very first time. The fan-participation "Wind Project" could rewrite the rules of anime movie marketing, and it all starts with a motorcycle-riding police officer called the "Wind Goddess."

An Unprecedented Move: Why the Production Committee Spoke Up

On February 7, 2026, the Detective Conan Production Committee issued an official statement regarding the upcoming 29th film, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway (releasing April 10, 2026). For the first time in the franchise's 29-year theatrical history, the committee publicly revealed its promotional concept to people outside the production, a move many in Japan's entertainment industry are calling extraordinary.

The promotional concept? "fan! × FAN! = FUN!", a clever triple wordplay in which every Conan "fan" becomes a metaphorical "fan" (as in a device that creates wind), generating a small breeze that joins with others to become a nationwide "Conan whirlwind," ultimately creating new "fun" for everyone involved.

The statement expressed gratitude to longtime supporters, newly joined fans, and returning fans who had drifted away. It was signed by the full production committee, a powerhouse group comprising Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Nippon TV, ShoPro, Toho, and TMS Entertainment, and signaled a clear intention to "grow the franchise together" with fans.

What Is the "Wind Project"?

The "Wind Project" (Kaze no Project) takes its name from the film's main character, Chihaya Hagiwara, a motorcycle officer in the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Traffic Division. In the story, the heroine Ran is so impressed by Chihaya's extraordinary riding skills that she calls her the "Wind Goddess" (Kaze no Megami) upon their first meeting. Making her theatrical debut in this film, Chihaya is the inspiration behind what the production committee calls a "Limit Break Promotion", a promotional campaign that aims to break all previous boundaries.

Key Initiatives

Several new promotional elements were announced simultaneously:

1. LINE Official Account: "Wind Promotion Department"

A dedicated LINE account (Japan's dominant messaging platform, with over 95 million monthly users) will allow anyone who registers to become a member of the "Wind Promotion Department", essentially turning everyday fans into official promoters. Members will receive exclusive information and "special missions" to complete, blending Japan's thriving oshikatsu (fan activity) culture with corporate marketing.

Oshikatsu refers to the wide range of activities Japanese fans engage in to support their favorite characters, artists, or franchises, from social media campaigns and merchandise purchases to "sacred site pilgrimages" (seichi junrei) to real-world locations featured in anime. It has become a major economic force in Japan's entertainment industry.

2. No Press Screenings, Outdoor Fan Meeting Instead

In keeping with recent Conan film tradition, no advance press screenings will be held. The committee's reasoning is refreshingly fan-first: "We want everyone to enjoy the film without spoilers, at the same time." Instead, an outdoor fan meeting will take place on April 4 at an undisclosed location in Yokohama, featuring a 60-minute talk event with the voice cast. This marks the first time a Conan fan event will be held outdoors.

This anti-spoiler philosophy is notable. While Hollywood studios typically host early screenings for critics and influencers, the Conan franchise has taken the opposite approach, ensuring that no one sees the film before opening day, creating a shared "day one" experience for all fans equally.

3. Yokohama City Collaboration

Since the film is set in Yokohama's Minato Mirai district, a special collaboration with the city has been announced. Past Conan films have featured real-world landmarks that were dramatically "destroyed" in action sequences, and fans are already speculating about which Yokohama landmarks might appear, and what might happen to them.

4. "Wind PV" Trailer Release

A high-energy promotional video was unveiled, showing Yokohama's streets at breathtaking speed. The video culminates with Chihaya's signature line: "Let's go, boy!", a declaration that the Wind Project has officially begun.

Inside "Fallen Angel of the Highway": What to Expect

Conan, Ran, Sonoko, and Kogoro head to the Kanagawa Motorcycle Festival in Yokohama's Minato Mirai with motorcycle enthusiast Masumi Sera. En route, a mysterious "black motorcycle" leaps over their car, pursued by Chihaya Hagiwara of the Kanagawa traffic police.

At the festival, a high-tech police motorcycle called "Angel" is being unveiled, but the black motorcycle turns out to be eerily similar. Police dub the rogue vehicle "Lucifer" and intensify their pursuit. The film's tagline: "Don't fall off, boy" sets up a dichotomy between the "Wind Goddess (Angel)" and the "Dark Fallen Angel (Lucifer)" in what's being described as an unprecedented "Limit Break Battle Mystery."

Adding emotional depth, the story involves the memories of Chihaya's younger brother Kenji Hagiwara and his close friend Jinpei Matsuda, both of whom died in the line of duty during bomb disposal operations. These characters are beloved members of the "Police Academy Quintet" (Keisatsu Gakkou-gumi), a fan-favorite group within the Conan universe. Chihaya is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro, known internationally for voicing Fujiko Mine in Lupin III.

Conan's Extraordinary Box Office Trajectory

The Wind Project arrives amid the franchise's most dominant era. Last year's 28th film, One-eyed Flashback, earned 14.74 billion yen (approximately $98 million), making Conan the first Japanese film franchise to achieve:

  • Three consecutive years with box office revenue exceeding 10 billion yen ($66 million)
  • Two consecutive years with over 10 million admissions

The manga has surpassed 107 volumes and 270 million copies in worldwide circulation. The TV anime has aired over 1,100 episodes and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In Japan, the annual spring Conan film has become something of a national ritual, families plan their Golden Week holidays around it, and fans debate plotlines with the intensity of sports playoffs.

To put this in perspective, Conan's recent box office performance in Japan rivals Hollywood tentpole releases, consistently outperforming major international franchises in the domestic market.

Global Impact: What This Means for International Fans

Detective Conan enjoys massive popularity across Asia, with simultaneous theatrical releases established in China, South Korea, and Southeast Asian markets. Streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix have expanded the fanbase into Western markets, while ABEMA began free streaming of over 1,000 episodes in 2025.

While the LINE-based "Wind Promotion Department" is currently Japan-only, the committee's public declaration that it wants to "grow together" with fans sends a powerful signal. If this participatory model succeeds domestically, it could evolve into a global fan campaign for future films, especially as the franchise approaches its 30th theatrical anniversary in 2027.

The no-spoiler policy, in particular, resonates with international fans who often face theatrical releases weeks or months after Japan. The committee's emphasis on protecting the "first experience" could push distributors toward more simultaneous global releases in the future.

Your Turn: How Are Anime Films Promoted in Your Country?

In Japan, the Detective Conan production committee has broken with decades of tradition by publicly sharing its promotional vision and inviting fans to become active participants in the campaign. From turning fans into "promotional department members" to refusing press screenings in favor of outdoor fan events, this approach is unlike anything we've seen in anime movie marketing.

How are movies and anime promoted in your country? Do fans get to participate in official campaigns? We'd love to hear about your experience, share your thoughts in the comments!

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