Miyuki Sawashiro Inherits Role from Atsuko Tanaka, Says “I Have Taken It On from Someone I Deeply Admire” at First Detective Conan Event Appearance

Voice actress Miyuki Sawashiro appeared on April 11 at a stage greeting event in Tokyo celebrating the release of the 29th Detective Conan film, Detective Conan Fallen Angel of the Highway.

Sawashiro Reflects on Inheriting the Role from Atsuko Tanaka

Sawashiro voices Hagiwara Chihaya, a white bike officer of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Traffic Unit. She took over the role at the end of last year following the passing of Atsuko Tanaka in August 2024.

Introducing herself, Sawashiro shared her thoughts with emotion

“I am Miyuki Sawashiro, and I had the honor of playing Chihaya. I have inherited this role from Gosho Aoyama sensei and from the beloved Atsuko Tanaka. This is my first time standing in front of Conan fans. Being here, I can really feel how much everyone loves Conan. I think I can say I am very happy, and I truly am.”

Chihaya plays a central role in the film. Reflecting on her experience, Sawashiro said
“I never felt like I had to carry everything on my own. I was able to keep going because Conan was there. I could do my best because Jugo Yokomizo was there. And without Kenji Hagiwara, I do not think I would have even started. I used to think becoming invincible was something you had to achieve on your own, but I realized that sometimes others make you invincible. It changed my perspective, and it became a personal highlight for me.”

She also expressed her feelings about taking over the character
“I loved Chihaya as portrayed by Atsuko Tanaka, with her unique charm. I tried to carry on that essence as much as possible. I am nervous about how people will feel going forward, but I am truly happy.”

Strong Box Office Start Surpasses Previous Records

The film opened on April 10 and recorded 739000 admissions and 1.13 billion yen in box office revenue on its first day. This marks the second consecutive Conan film to surpass 1 billion yen on opening day, exceeding the previous year’s performance.

The highest grossing film in the series remains Detective Conan The Million Dollar Pentagram released in 2024, which earned 15.8 billion yen. The previous opening day record was held by Detective Conan The Afterimage of the Single Eye released in 2025, with 690000 admissions and 1.05 billion yen in revenue.

This latest installment achieved 107 percent compared to the previous year, signaling a major hit from the start. The series has already set historic milestones for Japanese films, with three consecutive films surpassing 10 billion yen and two consecutive films exceeding 10 million admissions. Expectations are high that this film may break even more records.

Story Set in Yokohama and High Speed Battle Mystery

Detective Conan Fallen Angel of the Highway is set in Yokohama, Kanagawa, featuring locations such as Minato Mirai and the Hakone area. Conan, Chihaya Hagiwara, and Kanagawa Police Inspector Jugo Yokomizo play key roles in the story.

While visiting the Kanagawa Motorcycle Festival, Conan and his friends encounter a mysterious black motorcycle that suddenly goes on a rampage. Chasing it is Chihaya Hagiwara, known as the Wind Goddess.

At the festival, a next generation white motorcycle named Angel is unveiled. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, the black motorcycle known as Lucifer once again runs wild. The film unfolds as a high speed battle mystery between the Wind Goddess Angel and the Black Fallen Angel Lucifer.

The stage greeting event also featured Minami Takayama as Conan Edogawa, Rikiya Koyama as Kogoro Mori, Akio Otsuka as Jugo Yokomizo, Shinichiro Miki as Kenji Hagiwara, Ryusei Yokohama as Kazuaki Omae, Mei Hata as Minato Tateoki, and director Takahiro Hasui.

Source : ORICON NEWS