MICE to Appear? Yokohama City Announces Collaboration with Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway — A Look at MICE Settings in Past Conan Films
The latest installment in the long-running franchise, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway, is scheduled for nationwide release on April 10, 2026. The film has already attracted attention for its subtitle, read directly as “Daten-shi” (Fallen Angel).
For professionals in the MICE sector, however, a different aspect may warrant closer examination: the possibility that large-scale MICE settings could feature prominently in the storyline.
This article explores the potential appearance of MICE-related venues in the upcoming film, reviews examples of MICE environments depicted in past Detective Conan theatrical releases, and considers why such portrayals may be relevant to the MICE industry.
What Is the Collaboration Between Detective Conan and Yokohama City?
According to a press release issued by Yokohama City, the following details have been announced.
To commemorate the theatrical release, Yokohama City, the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (a public interest incorporated foundation), and Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 (a general incorporated association) have entered into a collaboration agreement with Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway.
From April 10 to July 31, 2026, a range of initiatives will be implemented across the city under the banner of Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway × Yokohama City.
Source: Yokohama City press release
About Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway × Yokohama City
Implementation Period: April 10 (Friday) – July 31 (Friday), 2026
Location: Yokohama Waterfront Area (Yokohama central bay area)
As of February 23, further details have not yet been disclosed, with the official website indicating “Coming Soon.” Additional information is expected to be released in due course.For reference, the theme song for the film is performed by MISIA.
Will That Exhibition Hall and Trade Show Appear on Screen?
A review of the official trailer suggests that large-scale event venues may feature from the outset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsxkouRl7Yo
At approximately 0:09, the trailer presents an aerial view of the Yokohama Minato Mirai district. Within the frame, a structure resembling Yokohama’s well-known exhibition venue can be seen. The distinctive roofline, characterized by seven sail-like projections, appears consistent with the design of the convention complex in the area.
At around 0:15, the words “Motorcycle Festival” appear on screen, indicating the setting of a large-scale event. The depiction recalls motorcycle exhibitions that are typically held in the spring season.
For stakeholders in the MICE industry, the film may offer an opportunity to consider how exhibition halls and trade shows are portrayed in popular culture, and how such representations could influence public perception of event venues.
◎What Is MICE? MICE is an acronym that refers to Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions.
https://micetimes.jp/mice-1-whats-mice/
Hakodate Also Experienced the Drawing Power of a Detective Conan Film
In the summer of 2024, our editorial team stayed in Hakodate, Hokkaido for approximately 10 days to cover and experience a workation program. Earlier that April, Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram had been released nationwide. With the summer holiday season following soon after, Hakodate saw a notable influx of fans visiting locations featured in the film.
One such site was the Mt. Hakodate Observatory, which appeared in the film’s final scene. During our visit, a significant number of domestic and international visitors were present. The ropeway descending from the observatory had long queues, and the wait to return to the city below was considerable.
The experience underscored how a major film release can influence visitor flows and create concentrated demand at specific destinations.
I had visited Mt. Hakodate on several occasions before, but it was the first time I had seen such a large number of visitors gathered there.
Prominent displays related to the film were also installed at Hakodate Airport.
Locations featured in the movie, including the Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall and Premier Hotel – CABIN PRESIDENT – Hakodate, attracted a considerable number of visitors retracing scenes from the film.
MICE Frequently Appears in the Detective Conan Film Series
“Detective Conan,” which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Sunday when the author of this article was in high school, has grown into a nationally beloved franchise. The upcoming release marks the 29th theatrical installment of the series.
Looking back, it becomes apparent that scenes resembling MICE settings have appeared repeatedly throughout the films. Press conferences, unveiling events, and formal parties often serve as effective backdrops for dramatic incidents—not only in Conan, but in many works of fiction.
With that in mind, we conducted a brief review. Some examples may be interpretive, and as it is not feasible to revisit all titles in detail, there may be omissions. We hope readers will view this list in that spirit.
Trade Shows and Exhibitions
Detective Conan: Countdown to Heaven (Film 5)
A showroom tour inside a newly constructed high-rise building in Nishitama City is depicted in a manner reminiscent of an exhibition space, functioning as a structured showcase environment.
Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street (Film 6)
An immersive next-generation game console is unveiled at Beika City Hall. While fictional, the setting resembles a multipurpose convention facility, hosting a large-scale product launch event.
Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno (Film 19)
Although somewhat unconventional, scenes set in an auction venue and an art museum exhibition are portrayed with notable realism, evoking the atmosphere of cultural and commercial event spaces.
Business Gatherings and Parties
Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper (Film 1)
Even the first theatrical release includes a MICE-like setting. A private garden party hosted at architect Teiji Moriya’s residence portrays the atmosphere of a formal social gathering.
Detective Conan: The Fourteenth Target (Film 2)
An exclusive preview event is held at “Aqua Crystal,” a marine leisure facility floating in Tokyo Bay, where related parties are invited prior to its official opening.
Detective Conan: Captured in Her Eyes (Film 4)
An incident occurs during a party attended by police officials, illustrating another formal gathering setting.
Detective Conan: Countdown to Heaven (Film 5)
In addition to the showroom scene, a banquet hall within the building serves as a party venue.
Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet (Film 24)
A commemorative event is held in Tokyo to celebrate the World Sports Games (WSG), described as the world’s largest sporting event, blending elements of global mega-events and official receptions.
Incentive Travel
Detective Conan: Strategy Above the Depths (Film 9)
Sonoko invites the group to the maiden voyage of the luxury cruise ship Aphrodite, where they enjoy an ocean cruise alongside notable guests. While the storyline centers on a private invitation, the setting—a high-profile inaugural voyage attended by distinguished passengers—resembles elements commonly associated with incentive travel programs.
Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire (Film 23)
For the first time in the series, the story unfolds overseas in Singapore. Integrated resort facilities, including Marina Bay Sands, are prominently depicted, highlighting large-scale tourism infrastructure that combines hospitality, entertainment, and event functions.
International Conferences
Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Film 22)
The Tokyo Summit is held at an international conference hall within the integrated resort facility “Edge of Ocean,” located in Tokyo Bay. The film references the deployment of approximately 22,000 police officers on the day of the summit, underscoring the scale and security implications of such an event. The portrayal of an integrated resort encompassing commercial and leisure facilities provides a notable example of how IR complexes function as comprehensive MICE venues.
Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine (Film 26)
Set at the offshore marine facility “Pacific Buoy” near Hachijojima, the film depicts a gathering of engineers from around the world for what resembles an international technology conference. The narrative integrates advanced infrastructure and global participation, reflecting elements of large-scale convention settings.
Use of Unique Venues
Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram (Film 27)
The Former Hakodate Ward Public Hall in Hakodate appears as the venue for a kendo tournament. The use of a historic cultural property as an event space reflects the concept of a unique venue—an approach increasingly emphasized in the MICE sector.
Why Does MICE Appear So Often? The Narrative Function of MICE in the Conan Universe
From a structural perspective, MICE settings are well suited to dramatic storytelling. While real-world incidents must never occur, fiction requires an inciting event. Conferences, exhibitions, and large-scale gatherings provide a credible stage on which complex incidents can unfold.
International Conferences
International summits and high-level meetings introduce political and security dimensions into the narrative. Themes such as national security, international cooperation, and intergovernmental coordination elevate the scale of the story to a global level. When multiple organizations with differing agendas intersect in a single venue, the result is layered, high-stakes storytelling.
Trade Shows and Exhibitions
Product launches and exhibitions often involve major corporations and cutting-edge technologies. These settings enable plots centered on system failures, experimental innovations, or technological risks. The contrast between the polished public presentation and underlying vulnerabilities provides narrative tension.
Parties and Receptions
Formal gatherings bring influential figures—politicians, executives, medical professionals, academics—into one space. Such scenes function efficiently in mystery storytelling: they allow relationships to intersect, motives to emerge, and clues to be embedded within social interactions. From a narrative standpoint, they also serve as effective ensemble introductions, presenting multiple key characters within a single setting.
Incentive Travel
Incentive-style travel settings transform movement into experience. Rather than simple relocation, the journey itself becomes aspirational—depicted as a premium experience that audiences can imagine participating in. This enhances the sense of occasion and adds a layer of everyday realism blended with aspirational appeal.
Pilgrimage Tourism and Its Economic Impact — Raising Awareness of MICE
Like earlier film series such as Tsuribaka Nisshi and Otoko wa Tsurai yo, the Detective Conan franchise frequently uses real cities and regions as its setting. Part of the appeal lies in anticipating which location will appear next. Over the years, the films have featured Osaka, Mie, London, Kyoto, Hokkaido, the Kurobe Dam, Yokohama, Tokyo (including Shiodome and Shibuya), Nagoya, Nagano, and Hachijojima, among others.
The economic impact generated by so-called “pilgrimage tourism”—visitors traveling to locations depicted in films—cannot be overlooked. As previously observed in Hakodate, the presence of a film setting can significantly increase visitor numbers, benefiting transportation, accommodation, retail, and surrounding attractions.
For audiences, the possibility that their own city might appear in a future installment creates anticipation and engagement. From a destination marketing perspective, this functions as a powerful form of fan-oriented promotion.
MICE, when used as a narrative device, plays an important role in shaping such works. It provides scale, structure, and credibility to major story developments. At the same time, it offers an accessible entry point for broader public understanding of the concept. When asked, “What is MICE?” it may be more intuitive to reference a familiar film scene—“That large conference or exhibition featured in Conan—that is MICE”—rather than reciting definitions of meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions. In this sense, popular culture can serve as an indirect but effective vehicle for raising awareness of the industry.
