I don't understand the lackluster reviews, this is the edgiest Conan movie in about 20 years and not safe for kids. I'm writing this review mainly to warn parents that this film is too dark for kids under the age of 12, but that doesn't mean it's bad, on the contrary.
The TV show switches between harmless kids entertainment and the occasional intriguing mystery, the films usually cater to a high school audience - like Kudô Shin'ichi's real teenager identity. In recent years, they've added more action and violence, probably to keep first generation fans interested (who are around 40 now). But this time, there's a new political dimension paying tribute to the popularity of darker themes in mainstream anime. The abduction by submarine places the Black Organization in the orbit of North Korea, which indeed captured a number of Japanese citizens. The topic of face recognition AI being hijacked by terrorists is quite scary and difficult to explain to little kids without freaking them out. There is an assassination scene which is definitely too much for small children (but very well done with a lot of suspense).
"The Phantom of Baker Street" (2002), arguably the best Conan film, took a similarly sinister approach but was the exception from the rule. I for one am grateful that the franchise is trying to take a more mature direction, but if you want your kids to have a harmless good time, watch the latest "Doraemon" with them.
The TV show switches between harmless kids entertainment and the occasional intriguing mystery, the films usually cater to a high school audience - like Kudô Shin'ichi's real teenager identity. In recent years, they've added more action and violence, probably to keep first generation fans interested (who are around 40 now). But this time, there's a new political dimension paying tribute to the popularity of darker themes in mainstream anime. The abduction by submarine places the Black Organization in the orbit of North Korea, which indeed captured a number of Japanese citizens. The topic of face recognition AI being hijacked by terrorists is quite scary and difficult to explain to little kids without freaking them out. There is an assassination scene which is definitely too much for small children (but very well done with a lot of suspense).
"The Phantom of Baker Street" (2002), arguably the best Conan film, took a similarly sinister approach but was the exception from the rule. I for one am grateful that the franchise is trying to take a more mature direction, but if you want your kids to have a harmless good time, watch the latest "Doraemon" with them.