Meitantei Conan OVA 08: Joshikousei Tantei Suzuki Sonoko no Jikenbo

Oooh boy, this is a high-tier Detective Conan OVA. The title is a bait-and-switch, though, because there's literally only one scene where Sonoko shows up as the detective.

But that's OK, though, because this OVA is basically a metanarrative about how they write anime-original Conan material, and that rules. There's a great scene in the middle where Haibara breaks down how ridiculous the concept and execution of cases like this are, and the fact that the case is so utterly simple and staged only adds to that. Until, suddenly, it takes a left turn and it isn't. There's just some great material here that would never, ... ever be in the main series.

Also, it's definitely not perfect. The introduction is too drawn out, for one. The endgame for the mystery is a bit eye-roll inducing if you came here to see Sonoko shine, and the consolation prize for that also sidelines Sonoko. Because of the nature of the thing, it's also a little bit repetitive.

I totally recommend this for people who like Detective Conan and want a bit more on the side. Not just for completiionists!

Of all the OVA's of Detective Conan, this is probably the only one of all of them where the characters are doing something abit normal. Though this is norminally on the bottom of anyone's list. I did find it enjoyable, even if it did not give me much excitement like the rest of the conan ovas.

The characters taking part in normal school activity without an actual case was something to see. And the story used was hilarious to me. And the way the case was done was just down right clever.

I think anyone who watches this will atleast get a relaxed form of enjoyment ... out of it if nothing else.

This Detective Conan OVA is a simple, fun, little side-story. One that doesn't take itself too seriously, and where nothing important happens, but it still manages to be enjoyable enough.

Part of why nothing important happens is because instead of an actual case, the story revolves around Sonoko's murder mystery that she's writing for a school play. We get some interesting interpretations of how the case is solved from each of the main characters, and most of their deductions are pretty funny. However, with the lack of a real case to solve, the story ends up feeling a bit empty. Still, the story wraps up in ... the end, and the whole thing feels complete.

The art and sound design are both passable, and are on the same level as the TV show at the time this was released.
Also, the characters are still well-written, and come off as interesting.

However, the story is the main focus here, and it comes off as generally tepid and uninteresting, leaving us with a competent, somewhat fun, but ultimately flawed episode. I'd recommend it for anybody who is a fan of the show already, but for anybody else, it's not interesting enough to warrant viewing it on it's own.