Yoshihiko Funazaki - Case Closed Investigation

Case Closed Investigation

Around 1996, Funazaki was informed by a reader that Case Closed, also known as Detective Conan, had similarities to Picasso-kun no tantei note. (The similarities described are common in manga. For example, the motif of a little detective who wears suit and (bow) tie was also used by Osamu Tezuka, Mitsuteru Yokoyama, and Fujiko Fujio.) Funazaki checked Case Closed and "verified close resemblances." Funazaki considered "these resemble points has possibility of coincidence," so he contacted Shogakukan. Funazaki was told, "The creator (Gosho Aoyama) might not have read Picasso-kun no tantei note. But I can't deny the possibility that one of his staff members was amused at the situation of Picasso-kun no tantei note and suggested as an idea." (Funazaki had not read other Case Closed series except Volume 1, because he considered that "It is ridiculous that he gave the royalties from Conan books to Gosho Aoyama.") Later, he wrote about this inquiry process in the quarterly magazine Parolu, where he declared, "There is no responsibility (責任の所在がない)," "I'll fall into evil way (グレてやる)".

Funazaki was offended at the response, and he published the third book as a protest against Aoyama.