Kindaichi Case Files
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| Kinda'ichi Case Files | |||
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| 金田一少年の事件簿 (Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo) |
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| Genre | Detective fiction | ||
| Manga | |||
| Author | Yozaburo Kanari | ||
| Illustrator | Fumiya Sato | ||
| Publisher |  Kodansha |
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| Demographic | Shōnen | ||
| Magazine | Weekly Shōnen Magazine | ||
| Original run | 1992 | ||
| Volumes | 50 | ||
| TV anime | |||
| Director | Daisuke Nishio | ||
| Studio | Toei Animation | ||
| Network | Nippon Television | ||
| Original run | 7 April 1997 – 11 September 2000 | ||
| Episodes | 148 | ||
| Animated film | |||
| Released | December 14, 1996 | ||
| Animated film: Satsuriku no Deep Blue | |||
| Released | August 21, 1999 | ||
Kinda'ichi Case Files (金田一少年の事件簿 Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo?) is a serialized Japanese mystery manga series based on the crime solving adventures of a high school student, Hajime Kinda'ichi, the supposed grandson of the famous (fictional) private detective Kosuke Kinda'ichi. They are written by Yozaburo Kanari or Seimaru Amagi (depending on series) and illustrated by Fumiya Sato. In 1995, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen.[1] The collected stories are published in English by Tokyopop with the title The Kinda'ichi Case Files.
Kinda'ichi has also been adapted as an anime television series with 148 episodes, 2 anime movies, a live-action movie, and three live-action series. Toei animation handled the anime adaption of the Kinda'ichi series.
Currently, the series has been restarted with four additional cases. The writers plan to restart Kinda'ichi but not on a regular basis. The fourth case started in January 2007. Only the first 19 cases (the first series) have been licensed by Tokyopop; the rest are unlikely to see print in the United States unless their relatively poor sales improve.[2]
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[edit] Genre
Kindaichi mysteries are whodunnit stories featuring (usually multiple) gruesome murders, often with a supernatural tinge. They are typically of the style of John Dickson Carr, and frequently feature a locked room mystery or other seemingly "impossible" crimes, such as a murder occurring when all surviving suspects have (apparently) airtight alibis.
A notable distinction of The Kinda'ichi Case Files is that the killers are not depicted as psychopathic murderers and the murders are never committed for financial reasons alone. The identified killers all have deep rooted problems, often involving great emotional trauma through the greed or thoughtlessness of others, as their reasons for committing the murder(s). Thus the killers are often portrayed as sympathetic figures, as opposed to cold, calculating killers in some other mystery series.
[edit] Characters
List of Kindaichi Case Files Characters
[edit] The Mysteries
As of May 2008, 17 volumes have been published in America, all except 2 with a complete story. New readers are recommended to read the volumes in order, since later stories sometimes reference killers or characters from previous tales, especially Kinda'ichi's arch-nemesis, who will reappear in at least one of the mysteries not yet published.
In general, all the mysteries followed a certain theme (such as a famous legend/story), or have a certain modus operandi.
In Japan, there is a total of 50 volumes with 29 cases, 17 Kinda'ichi's short cases and 7 Akechi's short cases as well as nine novels and 2 CD-books. Together, the volumes have sold over 60 million copies in Japan, making it one of the best selling manga of the 1990s.[citation needed]
27 volumes by the original creator (Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo)
10 "Case" volumes (Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo CASE)
6 short stories volumes (Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo Tanpenshu)
2 Akechi's Short Cases volumes:
Book 1:明智少年の華麗なる事件簿
1.Farewell, my Dear Friend
2.The Perfect Violinist, Akechi
3.The Pride Murder
Book 2:明智警視の優雅なる事件簿
4.The Murder Train
5.Unlucky Men in the Rain
6.The Great Chess Player, Akechi
7.The Encounter
7 Volumes in the new re-run after serialising of Detective Academy Q.
Book 1: Legendary Vampire Murders
Book 2: The Third Opera House Murders (Part 1 of 2)
Book 3: The Third Opera House Murders (Part 2 of 2)
Book 4: Jail Gate Private School Murder Case (Part 1 of 2)
Book 5: Jail Gate Private School Murder Case (Part 2 of 2)
Book 6: Snow Spirit Legendary Murder Case (Part 1 of 2)
Book 7: Snow Spirit Legendary Murder Case (Part 2 of 2)
The titles have more or less a literal translation. As of May 2008, Tokyopop has not yet cancelled the series, but have reduced releasing schedule to one volume every six months until sales increase. The most recent title announced is #16 "The Undying Butterflies," currently available for pre-order.
These titles, as well as some details, may be changed by Tokyopop if they release these volumes in the future.
- The Opera House Murders is the first Kinda'ichi mystery, and the story on which the first anime movie is based. Miyuki corrals Kinda'ichi into assisting the school drama club in rehearsing The Phantom of the Opera at an isolated island hotel. But a killer stalks the high school group, one who can walk across mud without leaving footprints, and it's up to Kinda'ichi to solve the case, fighting time, weather, and Police Inspector Kenmochi, who fails to take the young man seriously (for the last time).
- The Mummy's Curse sees Kinda'ichi and Miyuki visit a classmate about to get married, accompanied by a teacher, who was a boyfriend of the bride. The small hexagram-shaped village in which the classmate lives is packed with wealthy aristocrats who keep mysterious, cut-up mummies in their luxurious homes. But things turn serious when a murder is committed in a locked chapel, and the aristocrats start dying one by one. For Kinda'ichi, this case is more than the mummies' curse. After finding a connection between the victims and the tragic accident involving the burned church 27 years ago, Kinda'ichi finally reveals the murderer and the village's dark past!
- Death TV follows Kinda'ichi and Kenmochi as they assist in the production of Shock TV, a prank-pulling reality show. Fun turns to fright when one of the show's victims is slaughtered by someone dressed up as a legendary snow demon called the "Yukiyasha", while the crew (including pop star Reika Hayami) watches in horror via TV broadcast. The trouble is, how was the murder committed when all the suspects were a twenty minute drive away from the crime scene?
- Smoke and Mirrors hits Kinda'ichi's high school when he and Miyuki are asked to join the school's Mystery Club and attempt to track down a series of urban legends called "The Seven Mysteries of Fudo High." It seems the school has been receiving threatening letters from someone who calls himself "The Afterschool Magician" stating that his home in the old campus area must not be destroyed. But the school's legendary bogeyman turns out to be all too real, a shadowy figure who is able to make himself, and the corpse of one of Kinda'ichi's classmates, vanish in less than two minutes from a locked room. With Miyuki nearly killed, this case may be too much for Hajime Kinda'ichi...
- Treasure Isle is rumored to hide a vast bounty of gold said to be guarded by the legendary beast "Yamawara", which Kinda'ichi and other treasure hunters gather to search for. But the host is killed before the group even arrives, and a bloody slaying takes place during a time in which none of the people on the island could have done it. Will the island's mythical monster-guardian claim more victims?
- The Legend of Lake Hiren involves a legend about a pair of lovers who drowned themselves in a lake, but the lake itself now houses an exclusive resort whose shares could be worth millions. Kinda'ichi and Miyuki join a focus group evaluating the resort. But the group is soon stalked by an escaped killer who fashioned his slaying after those of Jason Voorhees, and wouldn't you know it, the only bridge to civilization has been cut off...
- The Santa Slayings revolve around an exclusive hotel and one of its most unusual guests, a red-bearded man whose dress resembles that of Santa Claus. His very mythos is a shadow hanging over a prominent acting guild staying at the hotel, putting on a murder mystery weekend game. But the murders turn all too real, and Kinda'ichi becomes personally involved when one of his friends becomes a victim, and the only other person found in the locked room... is him!
- No Noose is Good Noose, or so they say at an exclusive college prep school that Kinda'ichi is conned into attending by his mother. But the high-pressure school is known for driving its students to suicide by hanging. It's in this atmosphere that a teacher begs Kinda'ichi's help in finding a mysterious vandal who seems to be targeting her. But the vandal soon graduates to murder, and seems to have the ability to evaporate from locked rooms. Can Kinda'ichi make the grade?
- The Headless Samurai is a legend in a small town, warning of betrayal and blood. A childhood friend of Kenmochi asks him for help when this myth comes to life and begins threatening her. Then a mysterious stranger is killed in a sealed room, and Kinda'ichi has to deal with headless corpses, greedy heirs, and an entire village too scared to talk.
- Kinda'ichi the Killer!? (In the American series this book is found split into both books 10 and 11, changing the number order of the books following.) Kinda'ichi is invited by an old acquaintance to help his publishing editor acquire the rights to a new book by a famous writer. The eccentric, arrogant author throws a code breaking contest at his villa to determine the lucky recipient. Unfortunately, the writer is murdered, and it's impossible for anyone to have committed the crime except one person: Hajime Kinda'ichi! Soon Kinda'ichi is in a race against the police and the killer to break the code and clear his name.
- Playing the Fool is something Kinda'ichi is loathe to do, especially when it comes to women. Pop star Reika Hayami invites Kinda'ichi and Miyuki to the Tarot Lodge, high in the snowy mountains, which immediately sets off a rivalry between the two women. Joining them is a motley crew including Reika's manager, a lost skier, and an obsessed fan. But the weekend turns tragic when Reika's father's darkest secret threatens to reveal itself, and terrifying murders occur. Can Kinda'ichi protect Reika, and figure out how a killer slipped in and out of a room under constant observation?
- The House of Wax is holding a murder mystery weekend, which Kinda'ichi and Miyuki are invited to by Superintendent Akechi. There they find numerous wax figures, including replicas of each participant. However, they soon find out that this is more than a mere game: the mysterious host, "Mr. Redrum," uses the wax figures to show a murder scene before actually killing the victim with the same method under seemingly impossible circumstances. Now Kinda'ichi must find the host that calls himself a murderer before the body count rises.
- The Gentleman Thief is a famous thief who steals famous artworks, as well as their "themes", by destroying or mutilating the object featured in the artwork. However, it seems that this time he has gone too far, by killing the father of one of Kinda'ichi's friends. But solving this case will be difficult, since all the suspects apparently have perfect alibis...
- Graveyard Isle is one of the remnants of the US's island hopping in World War II, where Japanese soldiers committed harakiri. Not exactly the place Kinda'ichi and his friends wanted to spend a week's vacation, especially with a group of college wargamers. But all too soon, they have violent death to deal with, including a murder that could only have been committed by a ghost...
- The Magical Express is where the mystery starts, a train that runs between Tokyo and a remote town, featuring magic shows put on by a group of prominent magicians. Drawn there by a threat by the mysterious "Puppetmaster," Kindaichi, Miyuki, Kenmochi, and Ryuji Saki witness a corpse vanish from a locked cabin. The murders continue at an isolated hotel, and the detectives are faced with serious questions. Who is the "Puppetmaster"? And what's his relation to the late head of the magic troupe, Reiko Chikayama? Was Reiko's death really an accident?
- The Undying Butterflies are no beautiful insects, but a harbinger of disease and death. Kindachi and Miyuki infiltrate the estate of a wealthy butterfly collector in pursuit of a killer from the past who should be dead. But then people start dying, pinned like butterflies, murdered when no one could possibly have done it. Has the resurrected killer started another bloody rampage? Or is there something more sinister afoot?
- Burial Francs is a burial practice in a small French village, where a franc is buried with the dead. For one of Kinda'ichi's childhood schoolmates, however, it was an omen of death for her and her colleagues! Amidst trying to enjoy the bridal competition show and to protect the innocent lives from getting involved, will Kinda'ichi figure out this "Burial Francs" who is killing off people one by one? What's his connection to Kinda'ichi's friend?
- The Devil's Artifacts is the nickname given to four artifacts that were said to be cursed — but Kinda'ichi, who was hired to dig them up, didn't believe in the old tale... until people started dying because of it. Now, with people's lives (and his salary!) at stake, Kinda'ichi must find out the identity of the artifacts' "guardian" and where they are hidden.
- Reika's Kidnapping is exactly what it sounds like, the kidnapping of pop idol and Kinda'ichi's friend, Reika Hayami. After escaping from a villa, she claims that her kidnapper was a clown. Kinda'ichi soon deduces that the mystery clown has to be one of the crew working the movie Reika was appearing in. But which?
- Kinda'ichi and a group of friends visit the Forest of Cerberus to hunt mushrooms. Things start going wrong when their villa is burnt down, and they are forced to take refuge in an abandoned hospital with a group of medical students. Remnants of test animals, including a cage marked Cerberus, still remain there... Not to mention rabies-infested dogs stalking the halls, and a shadow that resembles the Cerberus of legend. Then the medical students begin dying one by one, their deaths accompanied by vicious claw marks! Is the ancient Greek guardian of the underworld the killer? Will it matter if Kinda'ichi can't get himself and his friends out alive?
- The Murderer From Screen: The head of the movie club at Fudo High, grandson of Japan's king of cinema, offers Miyuki a starring role in his latest project. But when the other participants start dying, the crew notices a resemblance between their deaths and scenes from the club's previous film, Scorpion. The case seems solved when the director apparently kills himself, clutching the only keys to not one, but TWO locked doors separating him and the suspects. But Kinda'ichi isn't so sure the case is closed. Who is making life imitate art?
- Divine Treasure of Kotousu is a long lost treasure belonged to Catholics in ancient Japan, guarded by a White Hair Ghost. Not caring much about the legend, Kinda'ichi — who desperately needed the money and by invitation — went to Kotousu to hunt for the treasure. However, the treasure hunters start dying, one during a time when all the hunters have rock-solid alibis! Will Kinda'ichi be able to find the murderer, and get some money for himself too?
- Ghost of Yukikage Village: One of his childhood friends has died in the remote Yukikage village, so Kinda'ichi goes to pay his final respects. However, the death isn't all it appears to be, and soon more of Kinda'ichi's friends are dropping dead. Who is the killer, and what does the original death have to do with these new murders?
- The Plot of Russian Dolls: Ryuji Saki asks Kinda'ichi, Miyuki, and Kenmochi to help him solve a puzzle that leads to the inheritance of a famous mystery writer. But the puzzle deepens when the heirs start losing their heads... literally! Usually, Kinda'ichi would have enough problems figuring out how the killer got into a locked room with the only key also locked away, but to make things worse, a figure from Kinda'ichi's past -— his nemesis, Takato -— returns with a bet: if Kinda'ichi finds the murderer first, he will let the killer face justice. Otherwise, Takato will allow the killer to continue his bloody work... then will execute him! Can Kinda'ichi protect both the future victims and the murderer?
- Circus du Murder: Miyuki, Kinda'ichi, and his know-it-all cousin, Fumi, are invited by Kenmochi to join him and his wife Kazue at an inn located on a tropical island. There, they meet a circus troupe named the Goblin Circus, who live near the resort. When a storage room is found wrecked, along with mysterious gigantic footprints and a message on the wall that reads "MONSTER IS BACK", the troupe members are suspiciously quiet. However, some members have been secretly discussing a 2.3m tall performer who disappeared a year ago, nicknamed "Monster". With the storm which prevents them from escaping the island and two clowns found dead, Kinda'ichi must find the culprit: is it really the "Monster", or someone else with an axe to grind?
- Judgment of Gankutsuō: Looking over a traveler's brochure, Kinda'ichi discovers that his old nemesis is in Hong Kong, and up to no good. Indeed, Takato's latest scheme involves assisting a murderer who calls himself the Gankutsuō ("The Count of Monte Cristo"). Ultimately, Takato manages to frame Kinda'ichi for the murders, just to prove he is the smarter man! Now, Kinda'ichi must prove his innocence by finding Gankutsuō, and make his nemesis pay for his crimes, once and for all!
- Legendary Vampire Murders: A month after Kinda'ichi went on his bicycle riding vacation, he sends a letter to Miyuki, inviting her and Kenmochi to a themed inn named "Ruins", where one of their former classmates has a part time job. The inn is located in a virtual ghost town due to rumors regarding vampirism that sprung up a few years past. The rumor comes to life when guests of the inn are found dead, their bodies drained of blood, with two puncture wounds on their necks -- which appear to be vampire bites. Worse, the murders are impossible, unless the killer really is a vampire... or one Miyuki Nanase...
- The Third Opera House Murders: Kinda'ichi, Miyuki, and Kenmochi return to the island Opera House Hotel for the third time (the second was detailed in the first of a series of Kinda'ichi novels by Seimaru Amagi), this time after the death of the hotel's owner, Kurosawa. The hotel and island has been bought by an old friend of Kurosawa, who wishes to honor his memory with a final performance of The Phantom of the Opera, before tearing the place down for good. Along with Kinda'ichi and gang, the new owner has invited members of Kurosawa's old theater troupe. However, tragedy strikes again when murders occur before the performance can take place.
- Jail Gate Private School Murder Case: Back from his bicycle riding and applying for a top quality but extremely hellish school, Kinda'ichi once again encountered a murder on the day of his application exam... but Kinda'ichi kind of expected it. The exam site and the school itself were two of the locations on a "crime site tour" list compiled by his nemesis Takato — who, in his twisted mind, believed that these locations could be used to plan murder (thus Kinda'ichi's bike tour around Japan). To make it worse, Takato has recently escaped prison, and initiated his list of murder. Now, also sending the list to Akechi, Takato (disguised as an English teacher, unknown to them but revealed to readers) silently challenged them to figure out the common point among the murders and find his client... or is he planning something else for them? And lastly, is he going to make all the possible murder sites a reality?
- Snow Spirit Legendary Murder Case Kindaichi Hajime was offered to receive a portion of a rich man's wealth as it written in his will. Seduced by money, Hajime along with Miyuki to the top of snowy mountain where all of the recipient of old man’s wealth gathered. As Hajime discover more about the legend of a snow spirit, the recipients of the wealth begin to die one by one.
- Futo High School Festival Murder Case Kindaichi attended a “maid café” hosted by the school’s photo club only to discover a mysterious death. This case lasts only for four chapters, making this the shortest Kindaichi case (besides from the short stories) thus far.
[edit] The short cases of Kinda'ichi
- Murderous Intent of Below Freezing 15 Degrees
- Who Killed the Goddess?
- The Twin Murderer
- Christmas Eve Murder
- The Murder in the Mirror Labyrinth
- Fumi Kinda'ichi's Kidnapping
- The Adventure of Fumi Kinda'ichi
- Lost Ransom
- Alibi in the Film
- The Homicide Restaurant
- Homicide of the Blood Dyeing Pool
- Departed Spirit School Murder Case
- Puzzle of Instantaneous Disappearance
- The Challenge from Mysterious Gentlemen Thief
- Morning Sound of Gunshot at 4.40 am
- The Bee Poison Sword Murder Case
- The Strange Intrigue of the Female Doctor
[edit] The short cases of Inspector Akechi
[edit] Book 1: 明智少年の華麗なる事件簿
- Farewell, my Dear Friend (明智少年最初の事件)
- The Perfect Violinist, Akechi(殺意の四重奏)
- The Pride Murder (幽霊剣士殺人事件)
- Welcome to Kengo's Room (special story)
[edit] Book 2: 明智警視の優雅なる事件簿
- The Murder Train (証言パズル)
- Unlucky Men in the Rain (殺人ポーカー)
- The Great Chess Player, Akechi (死者のチェックメイト)
- The Encounter (幽霊ホテル殺人事件)
- Kengo's Morning Style (special story)
[edit] Live action series
NTV aired three live action series in 1995, 1996, 2001 and a 2005 special. Tsuyoshi Dōmoto of the Kinki Kids and Rie Tomosaka starred as Kinda'ichi and Nanase Miyuki in the first two series. In season 3, Matsumoto Jun of Arashi starred as Kinda'ichi and Suzuki Anne starred as Nanase Miyuki. In 2005, a special based on "The Legendary Vampire Murders" was aired featuring Kamenashi Kazuya of KAT-TUN and Ueno Juri as Kinda'ichi and Nanase Miyuki.
[edit] References
- ^ Joel Hahn. Kodansha Manga Awards. Comic Book Awards Almanac. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
- ^ Kindaichi Case Files - When are the new ones going to be released ? [URGENT TOKYOPOP] - TOKYOPOP Message Board
[edit] External links
- Tokyopop manga webstite
- Toei Animation's Kindaichi website
- Kindaichi Case Files (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
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