Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway review – motorbike whodunnit cranked up to top speed

Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway, the 29th film in the popular anime franchise, premiered recently, continuing the adventures of Conan Edogawa, the brilliant detective trapped in a child's body. The film opens with a dramatic chase sequence featuring a phantom headless biker and several other motorcycles speeding through Yokohama's freeways, immediately establishing a high-octane tone. Conan and his companions are en route to a motorcycle convention, where the narrative focuses on elite bike cop Chihaya, who was pursuing the initial felons. However, the central mystery revolves around a menacing black superbike that aggressively targets other motorcyclists. Conan, in his characteristic guise as a wide-eyed schoolboy, infiltrates the scene to investigate, while Chihaya continues her own pursuit of justice. The plot thickens as Chihaya makes a stop at a roadside memorial, revealing a past incident where her former unit chief, Asagi, was involved in the death of a suspect. The film promises the franchise's signature blend of intricate mysteries, visually stunning cityscapes, and well-developed characters, all delivered with considerable energy and flair. This installment appears to lean into a more action-packed narrative, reminiscent of the intense atmosphere found in works like Akira, as suggested by the opening sequences.