Chizu Express Co., Ltd., West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and the Tottori Prefectural Government have announced that a limited express christened "Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN Ver.," a special train decorated with pictures of characters from the manga work "Detective Conan," began operations on December 3.
The Super Hakuto limited express directly connects Tottori Prefecture, the hometown of Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama, and the Keihanshin region that includes Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. One of the trains used for the Super Hakuto has been decorated with pictures of characters from Detective Conan.
About Detective Conan
Detective Conan* is the masterpiece of Gosho Aoyama, who is from Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture. The work, known for its main character Conan's quote, "One truth prevails!" is popular both in Japan and overseas, and the total number of its individual serialized comic books sold worldwide has exceeded 270 million. The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the series in Shogakukan's manga magazine, "Weekly Shonen Sunday."
*The series has been renamed "Case Closed" in some countries and regions or the names of its characters have been changed to those typical of the countries and regions where it is published or broadcast.
Detective Conan (C) GOSHO AOYAMA/SHOGAKUKAN: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107943/202312053810/_prw_PI1fl_9u7Z3Y19.png
"Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN Ver." project
Chizu Express, the project leader that commemorates the 30th anniversary of its launch on December 3, 2024 -- just a year after the start of the "Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN Ver." train -- has collaborated with JR West and the Tottori Prefectural Government in organizing the project. With the train's launch, a trip from the Keihanshin region to Tottori Prefecture is no longer a boring time. Organizers hope passengers will visit Tottori Prefecture while enjoying their comfortable trip with Conan and his friends.
Images of "Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN Ver.":
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202312053810-O4-90Xlnz57.pdf
Departure ceremony
The first "Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN Ver." departed from Track 1 at Kurayoshi Station at 10:13 a.m. on December 3. Prior to its launch, a departure ceremony was held at the station. Aoyama sent a congratulatory message for the ceremony. A departure ceremony was also held at Osaka Station at 3:00 p.m.
Speeches at ceremony
Koichi Nishio, representative director and president, Chizu Express:
"We are able to start operations of this special train today, which is the anniversary of the launch of our line, at the proposal of Mr. Gosho Aoyama's father and with cooperation from the Hokuei Municipal Government, the Hokuei Town Tourist Association, the Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation and other organizations. I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported our project."
Shoichi Saeki, manager, San-in branch, JR West:
"I would like to thank Mr. Gosho Aoyama. 'Detective Conan' is a great work that has many fans both in Japan and overseas with a wide age range. We would like to promote the use of the train by utilizing digital tools including the 'tabiwa' excusion ticket."
Shinji Hirai, governor, Tottori Prefecture:
"The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the 'Detective Conan' series and also the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Chizu Express line. I would like many people in Japan and from overseas to take the 'Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN' train, connecting the Osaka-Kansai region that will host the World Expo and the San-in region, to visit Tottori Prefecture."
Message from Gosho Aoyama:
"It was a surprise but is also a great honor for me that the 'Super Hakuto' limited express train connecting the Keihanshin region and Tottori/Kurayoshi are decorated with pictures of characters from Detective Conan! In fact, 'Super Hakuto' as well as my Conan is 30 years old! I was born in the Year of the Rabbit and 'Hakuto' means a white rabbit, and this year is the Year of the Rabbit!! I hope that this train, to which I have close connections in many ways, will be loved by all of you forever…"
Departure ceremony at Kurayoshi Station (December 3, beginning at 9:30 a.m.)/ Osaka Station (December 3, beginning at 3 p.m.)
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202312053810-O5-70eONYuA.pdf
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202312053810-O3-Z8gt2L6i.pdf
About operation of "Super HAKUTO DETECTIVE CONAN Ver."
The Tottori Prefectural Government posts information on the train's operations on the "Manga Kingdom Tottori" section of its official website, "Tori-net." At the end of each month, it posts the train's operation plan for the following two months.
https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/hakuto/
QR code: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M107943/202312053810/_prw_PI2fl_3H6UjLO2.png
*The entire train or one or some of its cars may be replaced with those without pictures of characters from Detective Conan for inspections and servicing. When it proves in advance that the train or some of its cars need to be replaced, it will be announced on the site.
Source: Chizu Express Co., Ltd., West Japan Railway Company, Tottori Prefectural Government
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