Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama has revealed that he has already drafted the rough storyboard layouts for the manga’s final chapter. The surprising disclosure was made during a television appearance in Japan, immediately reigniting fan speculation about when the long-running mystery series could finally conclude.
Aoyama discussed the ending while appearing on YTV’s 24-Jikan Terebi Saishin Jōhō SP alongside singers Taiga Kyōmoto and CHANMINA. According to Anime News Network, CHANMINA asked whether Aoyama approaches his work by planning from the ending backward.
Aoyama’s answer was unexpectedly direct:
“I have drafted the thumbnail layouts for the final chapter.”
Aoyama Has the Ending Planned
The revelation does not mean the Detective Conan manga is about to end. Aoyama was referring to a rough name, a Japanese term for preliminary manga layouts or storyboards rather than a completed, publication-ready chapter.
His playful response also suggested that the material is not necessarily set in stone. When Kyōmoto mentioned hearing rumors about the ending before, Aoyama jokingly asked whether he and CHANMINA wanted to see the draft. He ultimately described the material as entertaining.
The announcement is particularly notable because Detective Conan has been serialized since January 1994, making it one of the longest-running manga series in history. The anime adaptation followed in 1996 and has since expanded into a major multimedia franchise with numerous films and spin-offs.
Aoyama has also contributed artwork to YTV’s upcoming 24 Hour Television: Love Saves The Earth charity telethon, which is scheduled to air from August 29 to 30. His artwork features Conan and several major characters from the series.
For now, fans can treat the final-chapter storyboard as evidence that Aoyama has an ending in mind rather than confirmation of an imminent finale. With the manga still ongoing, the actual conclusion could remain years away.
