Case Closed Episode 1193: Kid vs Hakuba: The Azure Throne (Part 1)

The camera sweeps over Tokyo's skyline, settling on the towering Bell Tree Tower. Inside, the opulent Sky Exhibition Hall houses the Azur Throne, a masterpiece adorned with the world's largest tanzanite. An announcer breathlessly declares that Kaitō Kid plans to steal this treasure at midnight, sparking both excitement and concern. Conan watches the news, his young mind already dissecting the challenge laid before them.

As the exhibition closes, a throng of visitors exits the hall, including Ran and Sonoko, with Conan in tow. Sonoko, ever the romantic, whispers to Ran about the thrill of Kid's presence, then turns her attention to Ran's non-existent love life. She urges Ran to go on dates with Shinichi, fantasizing about a handsome detective who could make Shinichi jealous.

Inspector Nakamori fumes at the seemingly lax security, but Jirokichi Suzuki, the exhibition's eccentric patron, calmly explains his intricate trap. He boasts about his "collaborator's" advice, detailing how the mist system will neutralize Kaitō Kid's aerial escape and disguise. Jirokichi's confidence is almost theatrical, a challenge thrown not just to Kid, but to the audience.

Jirokichi introduces Kichida Yotaro, president of Kichida Industries, and Kase Masuo, his technical director. Kichida, hoarse from karaoke, lets Kase demonstrate the formidable mist system, which quickly engulfs the hall. As the technicians, in their orange jumpsuits, prepare for a final check, Conan eyes them, a flicker of suspicion in his gaze.

The staff, including Kichida and Kase, exit the exhibition hall, and a localized power outage immediately strikes the entrance area. Back in the security room, Jirokichi confidently points to the security monitor, showcasing the color-changing lines meant to prevent video loops. However, Conan's sharp eyes detect a subtle, unnatural distortion in the glowing lines on screen.

Conan, sensing trouble, races to the exhibition hall, leaving the others behind. He finds the "Luber lens" on the floor, realizing the camera was tricked. Inside, a horrifying sight awaits: Kichida Yotaro is slumped lifelessly in the Azur Throne, a silenced pistol at his feet, and Kaitō Kid stands over him, equally stunned by the grim discovery.

Before anyone can react, Hakuba Saguru appears on the monitor, asserting control and ordering the immediate sealing of the exhibition hall. The door slams shut, trapping Conan and Kaitō Kid inside. Kid, now drenched and panicking, fears being framed for murder, forcing him to reluctantly agree to Conan's condition for cooperation.

As the police prepare to breach the sealed hall, Hakuba predicts Kaitō Kid will use Conan as a human shield. Instead, Kid dramatically reveals himself, not as the phantom thief, but as Shinichi Kudo, greeting Hakuba with a smirk. This shocking turn momentarily defuses the tension, leaving everyone, especially Inspector Nakamori, utterly bewildered.

With the murder now the focus, the question of how the killer entered becomes paramount. Hakuba dissects the camera's trick, explaining the "Luber lens"—a semi-transparent film that made the open door appear closed on screen. He demonstrates its effect, astonishing Jirokichi and Nakamori, and proving Kaitō Kid's clever entry method.

Kaitō Kid, still in Shinichi's guise, elaborates on his entry: hiding in a dummy fire hydrant and deducing the keypad code from sound and fingerprints. Hakuba then reveals his own counter-strategy, admitting he planted the hydrant and modified the keypad to lure Kid. He expresses disappointment that his elaborate trap caught a murder instead of just the thief.

Nakamori, still unsure, comically tugs at Kaitō Kid's cheek, confirming it's not Kid's usual disguise. In the security room, Sonoko is ecstatic over the presence of two handsome high school detectives, while Ran is confused and a bit annoyed by "Shinichi's" unexplained arrival. The initial crime scene observations begin, noting "strange bloodstains."

The investigation turns to suspects. Hakuba points to Kase Masuo, who was near Kichida during the power outage. Kaitō Kid, ever the provocateur, suggests Kichida Satsuki and Kamiji Kiiya are having an affair and are also suspicious. He then proposes the shocking theory of suicide, which Hakuba deftly disproves, confirming murder and directly challenging Kid's true identity.