Image: Gosho Aoyama/Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS 1996
AMBot | 08/16/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
To mark the 30th TV anniversary of the anime series "Detective Conan," football is making a special statement: Together with the J.League, a specially drawn collaboration visual has been released. It shows the football-loving detective Edogawa Conan – in reality the shrunk high school detective Shinichi Kudo – together with a football. The image is accompanied by the message: "Whether big or small, the passion is the same. Whether football or detective work – those who dedicate themselves to something with passion will improve step by step and inspire the world and everyone around them."
Football has always played a central role in the series: The hero repeatedly uses his precise shot to escape from tight situations. The collaboration kicked off with the episode "J.League: The Kickoff" (Japanese: "J Rīgu: Kaimaku no Keiteki") aired on July 18, featuring former Japanese national player and current Cerezo Osaka chairman Hiroaki Morishima as well as actress Yuka Kageyama as guest voice actors. The episode is available on platforms such as TVer, Hulu, and Prime Video. The anime series itself has been running since 1996 and airs Saturdays at 6 p.m. on the Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV network; in 2026, it will celebrate its 30th anniversary with numerous special projects.
For the first time in the history of the series, there will also be a "Conan DAY": On September 6, 2026 (7 p.m., kickoff planned), Conan Edogawa will be a guest at the Meiji Yasuda J1 League match between Cerezo Osaka and Tokyo Verdy at the YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM in Osaka. Just a few days later, on September 19, another date will follow at the MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in Tokyo, when FC Tokyo takes on Nagoya Grampus. This second match day was added subsequently.
In Osaka, fans can expect an extensive supporting program: In addition to a welcome by Conan (via pre-registration and lottery), there will be an opening talk, a referee walk-out, and photo spots. In the "Riddle Challenge," participants must solve four riddles and find a hidden treasure; the first 500 participants to crack all riddles will receive an original sticker and a digital wallpaper with the collaboration visual. Musically, the evening will be accompanied by two artists who have shaped the series over the years with their theme songs: Before kickoff (around 5:45 p.m.), SARD UNDERGROUND, the solo project of Yua Kanno, will perform, followed by singer Rainy at halftime (around 8 p.m.).
At the National Stadium in Tokyo, a welcome by Conan and photo spots are also on the program. In addition, stadium announcements and the sounds at ticket checks will be replaced by Conan's voice. In the photo game "Find the culprit hidden in the National Stadium!" visitors can search for a hidden criminal: Those who present a photo at the designated location and the ticket for the match day will receive a collaboration sticker – while supplies last.
The connection between "Detective Conan" and the J.League has a tradition: The 2012 theatrical film "Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker" was already created on the occasion of the J.League's 20th anniversary. This was followed by the TV episodes "The Promise with the J-League Player" (2014), "The Bodyguard of the J.League" (2018), and "Behind the Scenes of the J-League Final" (2023). This makes it the first collaboration in three years – and the "Conan DAY" in this form is a premiere. The organizers point out that the planned program items may still change; further announcements about the collaboration are to follow.
Football has always played a central role in the series: The hero repeatedly uses his precise shot to escape from tight situations. The collaboration kicked off with the episode "J.League: The Kickoff" (Japanese: "J Rīgu: Kaimaku no Keiteki") aired on July 18, featuring former Japanese national player and current Cerezo Osaka chairman Hiroaki Morishima as well as actress Yuka Kageyama as guest voice actors. The episode is available on platforms such as TVer, Hulu, and Prime Video. The anime series itself has been running since 1996 and airs Saturdays at 6 p.m. on the Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV network; in 2026, it will celebrate its 30th anniversary with numerous special projects.
For the first time in the history of the series, there will also be a "Conan DAY": On September 6, 2026 (7 p.m., kickoff planned), Conan Edogawa will be a guest at the Meiji Yasuda J1 League match between Cerezo Osaka and Tokyo Verdy at the YANMAR HANASAKA STADIUM in Osaka. Just a few days later, on September 19, another date will follow at the MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in Tokyo, when FC Tokyo takes on Nagoya Grampus. This second match day was added subsequently.
In Osaka, fans can expect an extensive supporting program: In addition to a welcome by Conan (via pre-registration and lottery), there will be an opening talk, a referee walk-out, and photo spots. In the "Riddle Challenge," participants must solve four riddles and find a hidden treasure; the first 500 participants to crack all riddles will receive an original sticker and a digital wallpaper with the collaboration visual. Musically, the evening will be accompanied by two artists who have shaped the series over the years with their theme songs: Before kickoff (around 5:45 p.m.), SARD UNDERGROUND, the solo project of Yua Kanno, will perform, followed by singer Rainy at halftime (around 8 p.m.).
At the National Stadium in Tokyo, a welcome by Conan and photo spots are also on the program. In addition, stadium announcements and the sounds at ticket checks will be replaced by Conan's voice. In the photo game "Find the culprit hidden in the National Stadium!" visitors can search for a hidden criminal: Those who present a photo at the designated location and the ticket for the match day will receive a collaboration sticker – while supplies last.
The connection between "Detective Conan" and the J.League has a tradition: The 2012 theatrical film "Detective Conan: The Eleventh Striker" was already created on the occasion of the J.League's 20th anniversary. This was followed by the TV episodes "The Promise with the J-League Player" (2014), "The Bodyguard of the J.League" (2018), and "Behind the Scenes of the J-League Final" (2023). This makes it the first collaboration in three years – and the "Conan DAY" in this form is a premiere. The organizers point out that the planned program items may still change; further announcements about the collaboration are to follow.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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