Detective Conan: The Culprit Hanzawa — the beloved spinoff manga by Mayuko Kanba that playfully flips the perspective of the long-running Detective Conan universe — has been placed on a temporary hiatus. Announced in the May issue of Shōnen Sunday S, readers were told the series will pause beginning with the magazine’s next issue on April 24. While the magazine did not specify a return date, fans can expect updates from the publisher and the manga’s official channels. Below we break down the timeline, what the hiatus means for readers, where the anime adaptation stands, and how to stay up to date.
Table of Contents
Quick overview: What happened and when
The Culprit Hanzawa (Meitantei Conan: Hannin no Hanzawa-san) began serialization in Shōnen Sunday S in May 2017 and has steadily grown a fanbase thanks to its humorous, inverted take on the Detective Conan world—spotlighting the recurring “culprit” character rather than the usual sleuthing. Shogakukan published the manga’s ninth compiled volume in October 2024. The manga also inspired a television anime adaptation that premiered in Japan in October 2022 and reached international audiences via Netflix the following year. The May issue of Shōnen Sunday S announced the manga would go on hiatus beginning with the issue released on April 24; no return date was provided.
Why the hiatus matters to fans
Hiatuses are a common occurrence in serialized manga, and they matter for several reasons:
- Story pacing: A pause can shift the momentum of ongoing arcs and may delay plot progression readers were anticipating.
- Physical releases: Tankōbon (collected volume) schedules often depend on serialization. A hiatus can affect the timing of future volume releases.
- Anime and merchandise timing: While an anime already aired and is available outside Japan, future seasons, special episodes, or tie-in merchandise plans can be influenced by the pace of the manga’s return.
Timeline: From manga debut to anime adaptation
2017 — Manga debut
Mayuko Kanba’s spinoff launched in Shōnen Sunday S in May 2017, offering a comedic reimagining that plays off the larger Detective Conan universe created by Gōshō Aoyama. Over the years the series developed its own identity, focusing on short, humorous vignettes and character-driven gags centered around the supposed “culprit” who appears in the main series’ mysteries.
2022 — Anime adaptation premieres in Japan
The manga’s popularity led to a television anime adaptation that premiered in Japan in October 2022. The adaptation retained the spinoff’s comedic tone and animation style suited to its short-form, gag-driven episodes.
2023 — Wider release outside Japan
The television anime became available internationally through Netflix in February 2023, bringing the series to a global audience and introducing many non-Japanese viewers to Han(zawa)-centric comedy.
Related spinoff: Zero’s Tea Time
Another Detective Conan spinoff, Takahiro Arai’s Detective Conan: Zero no Tea Time (Detective Conan: Zero’s Tea Time), also received an anime adaptation in 2022. That series aired in April 2022 and concluded its initial run in May 2022; Netflix distributed it worldwide in July 2022. These spinoffs demonstrate the larger franchise’s potential for exploring side characters and alternate perspectives.
What we know (and what the publisher hasn’t said)
The official note in Shōnen Sunday S confirmed that Detective Conan: The Culprit Hanzawa will go on hiatus starting with the next issue on April 24. Beyond that, the magazine simply asked readers to look forward to the manga’s return without specifying a timeframe. Importantly, the announcement offered no specific reason for the break. Typical causes for serialized manga hiatuses include the author’s health, production scheduling, editorial adjustments, or the need for a creative pause—however, in the absence of an official explanation, it’s best not to speculate.
How to track official updates
- Follow Shōnen Sunday S and Shogakukan announcements via their official channels.
- Keep an eye on the manga’s official social media or the author’s posts for news about resumption dates or special messages.
- Check publisher pages and distribution platforms for updates on collected volumes or reprints.
Where to watch and read the series
For readers and viewers who want to catch up or rewatch the anime adaptation, the television series was released internationally via Netflix. If you prefer collected print volumes, look for the tankōbon editions—Shogakukan published the ninth volume in October 2024. For purchases or volume details, official retailer listings such as the manga’s Amazon page provide product information and availability. For streaming access, the anime is available on major platforms offering licensed content; check your local Netflix catalog for availability. Netflix
What hiatuses can mean creatively
From a story and production standpoint, a hiatus can be beneficial. It gives the creative team time to recharge, refine upcoming chapters, or coordinate wider multimedia plans (such as anime tie-ins or special editions). Fans often see improved pacing, art quality, or polished storytelling when creators return from purposeful breaks. While waiting, the community frequently revisits previous chapters, creates fan art, and discusses favorite moments—keeping the series alive in conversation until new content arrives.
Tips for fans during the break
- Re-read the earlier chapters to catch subtle jokes and callbacks you may have missed the first time.
- Explore related spinoffs and short works from the same author or within the Detective Conan franchise to fill the gap creatively.
- Support official releases—buying collected volumes and licensed merchandise helps the creators and publishers continue producing content.
Final thoughts
Hiatus announcements are always a mixed bag for manga fans—disappointing in the short term but often helpful for the long-term quality and sustainability of a series. Detective Conan: The Culprit Hanzawa has carved out a unique niche with its comedic inversion of a classic franchise, and the pause announced for the issue dated April 24 is a temporary chapter in its ongoing story. Stay tuned to official publisher channels for the return date, and in the meantime, revisit the manga and anime to celebrate what made the spinoff so enjoyable from the start.
