Detective Boys vs. Kaito Kid (712-715?) Vote for Kid's disgu

[Chekhov MacGuffin]

When I heard it was a Kid case, I got all apathetic about it, but it turned out pretty interesting. Anyways, it's the usual poll, you can change your vote, blahdey-blah-blah.

Kaito Kid’s actions, if they were in fact Kid’s doing, were a little out of the ordinary. Kid normally goes with sleeping gas rather than tasers. Also, it is unusual Kid wouldn’t reveal himself and start show-boating after swiping the goods. It’s possible that perhaps there is some reason Kid can’t. (Hiding inside the skinny column?) A third party is involved in the swipe perhaps? Maybe Jirokichi’s grudge against Conan for stealing his front page has taken a malevolent turn?

Kid’s note to Jirokichi could be seen as an enticement to bring the kids along. If Kid were expecting the kids, those jackets the DB are wearing are suspect. Perhaps Kid or someone else (if there is a third party) anticipated that the four kids would guard the pedestals and put a small mike in the jumpsuits to play the sound of the pedestals depowering. The sound guy becomes suspicious since he could have recorded the sound of the depowering, and the reporter commented on the fact that she expected someone else in his place, a young boy. The other possibility is the jackets have transmitters, because it would be difficult for someone to locate Conan in the pitch black with the sound of the wind drowning out everything.

I noticed that the keys changed hands, Jirokichi and Nakamori had all of them in hand at one point, so technically if either was Kid they could switch the keys out. Also Nakamori and Jirokichi were right by the column when it closed and we didn’t have a good view of the column as it came back down, so it is possible for either of them to do something. The other thing to consider are the three named suspects and their equipment. Reporter lady has a mike and a headset, Cameraman has a camera, and Soundguy has a large black duffelbag and a long pole with a mike on the end. The darkness and the wind could be disguising the fact that one of them is not doing their job because they are busy stealing the amber horn.

Kichemon’s (this crazy dead contraption guy again?) riddle strongly suggests there is another way of opening the mechanism. It probably relates to whatever was on the four pedestals and some wordplay on “devoting oneself to changing.” It might have to do with opening the doors. It is strange Kid would put himself at a disadvantage by scheduling a heist during a storm, unless he needs the wind/water power for opening the contraption. The opening that let the wind in could be a part of the contraption or a distraction on Kid’s part. Whatever the trick is, it must be done pretty quickly. If von Shadowman with the taser is the real Kaito Kid, then he managed to initiate the release device right before tasering Conan since the sound for the column opening happens after he sneaks up on Conan but before the shadowperson tasers him. It is also possible Kid has an accomplice for this heist.

One thing that struck me as odd is that one of the pedestals is green. It isn’t Aoi, the ambiguous blue/green, it’s 緑 (midori) green green. The four Chinese beasts are the the Vermilion Bird of the South, White Tiger of the West, Black Tortoise of the North, and the Azure Dragon of the East. Vietnam subs the tiger for the Kirin/Qilin. You could also chuck in the Yellow Dragon of the Center if you wanted, but there is no green in this system, so what is up with the green column? Perhaps the mention of the green column was why Conan had the question mark moment.

I wonder how things are going to go with Conan on the down and out. Will he wake up next chapter? I feel bad for Conan; tasers hurt.

[Abs.]

Maybe Jirokichi’s grudge against Conan for stealing his front page has taken a malevolent turn?

This. 

The parkas having been tampered with... I had not thought of that.  Perhaps at least some sort of glow-in-the-dark...

A lot about this case is unusual.  The notice coming early, as Haibara pointed out.  The odd post-script on the notice.  Scheduling the heist during a typhoon.  Kid not showing off, as MacGuffin pointed out.

If the sound signifying the pedestals powering off was fake, and assuming that the DB protected the keyholes by lunging at them and covering them with their hands, they'd have been shocked... wait.  They wouldn't have been because the power was cut... but then if the power was cut, they would have heard the actual sound that signified the pedestals were being powered off... unless the machine making that sound is also connected to the same power source...

Maybe we have to wait until we learn what the DB were doing during the blackout.

WAIT!  WHY THE HELL DO ALL THE DBs HAVE THEIR HOODS UP WHEN THE SOUND IS SOUNDING!!!!!???
(Don't say it's because of the wind and rain, I'm not accepting that as an answer.)

An oddball theory, but I'll throw this out there: Maybe Kuroba Kaito was supposed to be the original sound guy!

I feel bad for Conan; tasers hurt.

Personal experience, ah?

[Olive]

Okay, a friend and I started talking about the case, and at least based on what we know so far, we're leaning towards saying that Kid is Nakamori. The Three Official Suspects just seem too obvious to me, it's been Jirokichi before, and one of the random Squad members would just be boring.

Also, Nakamori never seems to care about the kids getting in the way. And he says, "Damn it! If there was just one keyhole, I could guard it by myself." But having multiple keys and keyholes is actually more secure, and he could still guard one and totally prevent Kid from stealing anything. So why would he say that? And he says that right when Conan's off looking at something else, and the other four Detective Boys are very conveniently clustered around him. The end result? Conan is separated from his little pack of groupies during the actual theft.

Also... I am so tempted to speculate that this might be starting to incorporate Kid a little more into the plot.
Most people would not taze a little kid. That's just cruel. So either it wasn't Kid who did that (because it's hard to imagine him being that cruel) or Kid has figured out something about Conan. His heist note did say to be "done with child's play" and to "do battle as adults."

A very tempting theory. However, I am also preparing myself to have my hopes be brought crashing down.

Because Gosho likes to do that to them.

[kyuuketsuki]

Okay, a friend and I started talking about the case, and at least based on what we know so far, we're leaning towards saying that Kid is Nakamori. The Three Official Suspects just seem too obvious to me, it's been Jirokichi before, and one of the random Squad members would just be boring.

Also, Nakamori never seems to care about the kids getting in the way. And he says, "Damn it! If there was just one keyhole, I could guard it by myself." But having multiple keys and keyholes is actually more secure, and he could still guard one and totally prevent Kid from stealing anything. So why would he say that? And he says that right when Conan's off looking at something else, and the other four Detective Boys are very conveniently clustered around him. The end result? Conan is separated from his little pack of groupies during the actual theft.

Also... I am so tempted to speculate that this might be starting to incorporate Kid a little more into the plot.
Most people would not taze a little kid. That's just cruel. So either it wasn't Kid who did that (because it's hard to imagine him being that cruel) or Kid has figured out something about Conan. His heist note did say to be "done with child's play" and to "do battle as adults."

A very tempting theory. However, I am also preparing myself to have my hopes be brought crashing down.

Because Gosho likes to do that to them.

Because, Having one keyhole means that Kid can't infiltrate by turning into one of the guards guarding the keyholes. Remember for thieves that use disguises, the more people the better. They can transform into anyone, so therefore if there are more guards its actually LESS secure.

As for the rest... My thoughts mirror Chekhov almost identically.... The note and everything about this is very atypical of Kid... I personally don't think it is him, but a copycat... Either that or an elaborate ruse by Jiroki to capture kid, by making it seem that there is a copycat to lure kid out, so he can challenge him, and then spring another elaborate trap that would more than likely fail. If there is a BO tie in... its probably with the taser... I'd suspect that conan was knocked out to protect him from something... or prevent him from getting involved, which would more fit Vermouth's MO of trying to protect him.

It would not be surprising to learn that Kid has deduced Conan's true identity... Especially if Gosho actually incorporates that crossover ep where Kid and Shinichi met... It seems to be unrelated, but if he includes it... Kid may figure it out... Since, well, before it was only Hakuba who could stop him, then Shinichi was able to, now a grade schooler?? Anyone would find that somewhat suspect, and Kid having genius like intellect [or so it would seem] would likely be able to figure it out.

[Found]

It would not be surprising to learn that Kid has deduced Conan's true identity... Especially if Gosho actually incorporates that crossover ep where Kid and Shinichi met... It seems to be unrelated, but if he includes it... Kid may figure it out... Since, well, before it was only Hakuba who could stop him, then Shinichi was able to, now a grade schooler?? Anyone would find that somewhat suspect, and Kid having genius like intellect [or so it would seem] would likely be able to figure it out.

I'd like to see that happen, personally.

[Misztina]

My vote goes to Nakamouri. He has got to be Kid. First using reverse psychology he made Jirokichi to invite children. Then he made the kids guard the keyholes. Manipulating, manipulating.

I can't get through the problem of the teaser yet though.

[Kor]

a crazy theory. The B.O. shrank Kaito and he disguised himself as Ayumi or Mitsohiku  8)

it's a crazy theory so don't try to show me how wrong I am....cause I already know that

[Abs.]

HE'S HAIBARA'S HAT, SHUT UP 

There is much potential in this case.

Also, are the keys glowing?

[Olive]

Haibara's hat is quite suspicious as well. It just goes and completely disappears for one panel. Right when they're opening the pillar too.
Theory: Kid (a.k.a. Haibara's hat) stole Kirin's horn just as the pillar was closing, and then returned to Haibara's head. Either she never noticed because she was too busy avoiding the cameraman, or she decided to help Kid, just for the hell of it. xD

Because, Having one keyhole means that Kid can't infiltrate by turning into one of the guards guarding the keyholes. Remember for thieves that use disguises, the more people the better. They can transform into anyone, so therefore if there are more guards its actually LESS secure.

Wouldn't there be guards around regardless of how many keyholes there were?
And there's been plenty of heists with even more guards around, where Nakamori hasn't said anything about that being bad.

...Also, I just realized how little face-pinching is going on in this chapter, compared to how obviously it is stated that everyone's suspicious. xD

It would not be surprising to learn that Kid has deduced Conan's true identity... Especially if Gosho actually incorporates that crossover ep where Kid and Shinichi met... It seems to be unrelated, but if he includes it... Kid may figure it out... Since, well, before it was only Hakuba who could stop him, then Shinichi was able to, now a grade schooler?? Anyone would find that somewhat suspect, and Kid having genius like intellect [or so it would seem] would likely be able to figure it out.

It would quite be interesting if that were to happen... but once again, don't want to get my hopes up.
Crossover ep? If you mean the Clock Tower heist, that was canon to the Magic Kaito manga.

[Abs.]

I thought the point that you were trying to make was that Nakamori was practically asking the kids to guard the keyholes.



Re: Haibara's hat

Also re: DB's hoods, and Genta's zipped up parka

Yeah, if it turns out to just be another art mistake (see cider vs cola)... someone should go check on Aoyama-sensei.

[baka1412]

I really want to meet those 5 people who voted for Haibara's Hat

[Abs.]

I really want to meet those 5 people who voted for Haibara's Hat

Nice to meet you.  Oh, and don't forget the person who offered it as an option in the first place. 

[James Rye]

I really want to meet those 5 people who voted for Haibara's Hat

SIX people, please.^^
And yeah, the hat is suspicious... 8)
And it sits on Ai Haibaras head too! That perverted... .... ... thing!!!

[Chekhov MacGuffin]

Haibara's hat is quite suspicious as well. It just goes and completely disappears for one panel. Right when they're opening the pillar too.
Theory: Kid (a.k.a. Haibara's hat) stole Kirin's horn just as the pillar was closing, and then returned to Haibara's head. Either she never noticed because she was too busy avoiding the cameraman, or she decided to help Kid, just for the hell of it. xD

I wondered if anyone else would notice the mysterious vanishing hat. It also elopes when Genta has a run in with one of the pedestals.

...Also, I just realized how little face-pinching is going on in this chapter, compared to how obviously it is stated that everyone's suspicious. xD

Nice observation. I overlooked the general lack of the usual copious face pinching. I would also like to offer up the 1, 2, 3 count which Kaito really likes to do for some reason although usually in descending order. Also as several above pointed out, Nakamori has influenced the kids to guard the key holes. He also occupied a prime position to tamper with the contraption as he stood near the column when it separated and had all four keys at one point. If Nakamori is Kaito Kid, I am surprised he handled the keys without gloves unless he anticipated his finger prints would be wiped or he had the time to wipe them down later.

I'd also like to point out Conan doesn't know what the depowering sound is as he was away from the conversation when the DB asked Nakamori. Conan could probably guess what it was though.

I feel bad for Conan; tasers hurt.

Personal experience, ah?

Luckily no and hopefully never.
Speaking of the taser, if Nakamori is Kid, it means that Kid isn't the taserer as long as the timing isn't totally whacky in the panels where Nakamori says "could it be" and Conan takes the electricity.

[mangaluva]

I kinda suspect the female reporter, just because Kid crossdresses so much.

There are a lot of odd points about this case, though. It's definitely a departure from earlier cases.