You know the feeling—one minute you’re minding your own business, the next you’re caught in the crossfire because of someone else’s bad decision. That is precisely the mess Detective Conan has found himself in in China.
What appeared to be a harmless bit of corporate camaraderie—an illustration swap between the authors of Detective Conan and My Hero Academia—has detonated like a landmine. The root cause isn’t a new case file for the pint-sized detective; it’s the lingering, radioactive fallout from the My Hero Academia controversy. You’ll recall the backlash over a character name linked to the notorious Unit 731, a historical wound that remains raw for many in China.
Guilt by Association
Unfortunately for Conan, guilt by association is a very real phenomenon here. Event organizers are not interested in nuance. In Lanzhou, Gansu province, the hammer came down on February 5 with a total veto. We aren’t talking about a polite request; we are talking about a hard stop.
- No entry: If you show up dressed as the high-school sleuth or a superhero from UA, you aren’t getting in the door.
- No merchandise: The ban extends even to selling the gear.
- Cultural markers: Restrictions targeted kimono and wooden sandals (geta), citing concerns they could evoke Japanese militarism.
The official justification pivots on protecting the feelings of the Chinese people regarding historical issues.
A Wider Crackdown
This isn’t just a local flare-up in a distant province. The capital, Beijing, followed suit for events scheduled for February 7 and 8, adopting identical measures. For the local community, who are venting their frustration on forums, it is a stark reminder that politics often pays no heed to hobbies.
Future collaborations between Japanese franchises are going to require a lot more risk assessment before they try to cross that water again.
How are we supposed to enjoy the art when the history book is always open?
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