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Detective Conan x Kyoto Crossover Merchandise Features Traditional Crafts, Snacks
posted on by Amanda Whalen
Anime News Network's merchandise coverage sponsored by
Tokyo Otaku Mode.
Detective Conan (Case Closed) is getting the traditional Kyoto treatment with a new line of collaboration merchandise that features Kyoto-style handicrafts and snacks. The merchandise is themed after the popular characters Conan Edogawa (Jimmy Kudo), Ai Haibara (Anita Hailey), Kaito Kid, and Tōru Amuro. The items include Kyoto-style Nishijin-ori (Nishijin-weaving) wallets and smartphone pouches, kumihimo (braided) bracelets, traditional hard candies, arare (rice crackers seasoned with soy sauce), clear file sets, key holders, and tin badges.
The Nishijin-ori wallets cost 19,800 yen (about US$180) without tax. They are made of leather, polyester, rayon, and brass and have 19 different pockets. The interiors of the wallets are made in China, but the traditional Nishijin-ori weaving was done in Kyoto. The wallets are currently available for pre-order on the collaboration website.
The Nishijin-ori smartphone pouches, which feature the same patterns as the wallets, cost 2,778 yen (US$25) without tax. They can be used to carry large smartphones or other small items such as pens or cosmetics.
The kumihimo bracelets retail for 7,800 yen (US$71) without tax. They are inspired by the same characters as the wallets and are hand-woven by craftsmen.
Confectionery company Imanishi Seika, which has been making traditional sweets in Kyoto for more than 130 years, is making the hard candies. Five different types of Detective Conan-themed candy tins are available. Conan's candies are Japanese plum-flavored, Kaito's are cream and soda-flavored, Ai's are grape-flavored, and Tōru's are lemon-flavored. The candy tins cost 741 yen (US$7) without tax.
The Kyoto arare rice crackers retail for 741 yen (US$7) and are made to taste like Tōru's "special sandwich," with a mixture of miso and mayonnaise flavors.
The clear files come in sets of two and cost 741 yen (US$7) without tax. They feature artwork of the characters in traditional Japanese clothing that was drawn specially for the collaboration.
The acrylic key holders and tin badges feature the same artwork as the clear file sets and cost 926 yen (US$9) and 463 yen (US$4) each, respectively.
All of the merchandise will be available at Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (KyoMAF) on September 16 and 17, and the smartphone pouches and clear file sets will be exclusive to that event.
In August, Gōshō Aoyama's original Detective Conan manga became the first series in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine to reach its 1,000th chapter. The 21st Detective Conan anime film, Meitantei Conan Kara Kurenai no Love Letter (Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter), opened in Japan on April 15 and earned the highest opening weekend record for the franchise.
Source: Anime! Anime! (Kōtarō Nakase)
