May 21 of every year is recognized as “Detective Day” in Japan, tracing its roots to 1891 when a detective fiction advertisement first appeared in a Japanese newspaper. To celebrate this occasion, the anime news site Anime!Anime! ran its annual poll on the theme “The Detective Character You Think of Most”, open from May 9–16, 2026. A total of 711 people participated — about 70% women and 30% men — with the largest age group being under 19 (approximately 50%), followed by those in their 20s (approximately 20%).
Rank 1 — Edogawa Conan (Kudou Shinichi) from Detective Conan (名探偵コナン)
Conan claimed first place by a wide margin with a commanding support rate of 47%, marking 7 consecutive years at the top. The high school detective who was turned into a child continues to relentlessly pursue the truth alongside the Black Organization and solve various cases in a series that is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary on air.
Many voters said the series has become so familiar to them that “detective” and “Conan” feel like one and the same thing. Some fans quoted the iconic line “Edogawa Conan, tantei sa” (I’m detective Edogawa Conan), while beyond his impressive deductive power, fans also expressed admiration for his unwavering resolve to “never let anyone die, not even a villain” — a quality that reflects both his nature as a detective and his humanity.
The current theatrical film Detective Conan: Highway’s Fallen Angel (名探偵コナン ハイウェイの堕天使) is still screening in cinemas and has continued to break box office records for four consecutive years, crossing the 10 billion yen mark.
Rank 2 — Edogawa Ranpo from Bungou Stray Dogs (文豪ストレイドッグス)
Ranpo earned 16% of the vote and secured second place — also 7 years running. The detective of the Armed Detective Agency uses his special ability “Ultra Deduction” through his eyes, allowing him to solve any mystery in a matter of minutes.
Voters praised his intelligence beyond human measure, and enjoyed the contrast between his childlike exterior and adult inner life, along with his identity as “the world’s number one detective” when circumstances demand it. Many noted being shocked to learn he has no supernatural power at all, and fans were moved by the scene in which he removes his hat and pays respect to the deceased — a moment that reflects the true character and humanity of this detective.
Rank 3 — Cure Answer / Akagi Anna from Meitantei Precure! (名探偵プリキュア！)
A character from a series that only debuted in 2026 managed to claim third place with 5% of the vote. Akagi Anna is a second-year middle school student time-slipped from the year 2027 back to 1999, where she meets Kobayashi Mikuru — a girl who dreams of being a detective — and the two share their lives together at the Kyutto Detective Agency.
Voters praised her energetic attitude and positive outlook even when she finds herself in an era where she knows no one, including her confident self-introduction line “Every mystery will be solved perfectly! The great detective, Cure Answer!”, which drew many votes for being endearing. She is also the first brown-skinned lead character in the Precure franchise, with her theatrical film scheduled for release on September 18.
Other Notable Characters
- Kindaichi Hajime from Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo (金田一少年の事件簿) — stands out for his empathy toward the culprit’s heart, going beyond simply solving the case
- Ririteiya from Mata Korosarete Shimatta no desu ne, Tantei-sama (またこっていてしまったのですね、探偵様) — the long-suffering assistant who cheerfully keeps supporting a detective who gets murdered again and again in every episode
- Kageyama from Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de (謎解きはディナーのあとで) — a butler with superhuman deductive powers, but frequently “fired” because his deductions are too blunt
- Tachibana Cherry from the game Mahou Shoujo no Majo Saiban (魔法少女ノ魔女裁判) — an unconventional magical girl detective that fans say is unlike anything they’ve seen before
Top 10 Most Popular Detective Characters of 2026
- Rank 1 — Edogawa Conan (Kudou Shinichi) — Detective Conan
- Rank 2 — Edogawa Ranpo — Bungou Stray Dogs
- Rank 3 — Cure Answer / Akagi Anna — Meitantei Precure!
- Rank 4 — Kindaichi Hajime — Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo
- Rank 5 — Cure Mystic / Kobayashi Mikuru — Meitantei Precure!
- Rank 6 — Hattori Heiji — Detective Conan
- Rank 7 — Siesta — Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru. (探偵はもう、死んでいる。)
- Rank 8 — Cure Arcana Shadow / Mori Arurugu — Meitantei Precure!
- Rank 8 — Maomao — Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (薬屋のひとりごと)
- Rank 10 — Tsukuba Jin — Hundred Note (ハンドレッドノート)
- Rank 10 — Ririteiya — Mata Korosarete Shimatta no desu ne, Tantei-sama
(Poll period: May 9–16, 2026 / Total participants: 711)
Source: aniani
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