A question and a slightly annoyed answer

[Fronzel]

Since Shinichi has the voice-changer and apparently cares about Ran so much, why doesn't he make it a habit to call on the phonel her more often? Surely he can slip away and manage it regularly. She'd worry less, get less angry, and he'd get to interact with her as himself rather than as Conan.

So why doesn't he?

While we're on the subject, why doesn't he trust Ran with a little bit of the truth; he's stumbled into something big and he can't be around her because it would put her in danger. Surely she'd endure their seperation much better knowing that.

So why doesn't he tell her that?

Because then this series' brand of petty romantic drama wouldn't work.

I'm a little more sympathetic to that set-up then it might sound; I know this thing is designed to go on forever and needs to have a little instability built in to keep going, but it's pretty annoying when the tools to resolve the tension have always been right there and there's no resonable in-context explanation as to why they aren't used.

Unless Shinichi is just that thoughtless.

[kkslider5552000]

Considering how well the series has worked for so long, I tend to not question this.

However I did think for a long time that there might have been a plot related reason for Shinichi not talking to Ran often but The Revival miniarc earlier this year made it obvious to me that that isn't true.

[Kor]

The thing about this romance is that it should develop to something. But only after 400 episodes or so she gets his phone number. What a huge development 

[TheBlind]

I always thought that Shinichi doesn't call Ran more often is because he's suppose to be "dead". So if he made a habit of calling her regularly, that somehow might lead to her talking about him more which could give away that he's alive. It sounds weird and weak but it was the only valid reason outside needless drama, but like kkslider said, the recent arcs even throws this theory out the window.
So only reason left now is to add to the overused drama and you would think Ran would of caught on by now. Heiji even gave her the answer in his first appearance as to why he doesn't ask how she is and rarely calls.

Shinichi not trusting Ran with even a general truth has a valid reason. As of now, Ran worries about him constantly and she's only on the assumption he's doing something dangerous. If Shinichi confirmed that for her, she would have a nervous breakdown if Shinichi went more than 4 days without calling her because she would think he's dead.

[kirite]

The thing about this romance is that it should develop to something. But only after 400 episodes or so she gets his phone number. What a huge development 

...and most of the time it's off because he's with her or at school so she only gets his voice mail.

Eh?  Is that Conan-kun with you?  *suspicious*

Wow you and Conan-kun sure talk a lot to each other.

Oh I see...so you called Hattori-kun and he told you...

^ She doesn't really get angry anymore, I wish she did.  It'll give him motivation to lie better xD.  

I always thought that Shinichi doesn't call Ran more often is because he's suppose to be "dead".
(...)
Shinichi not trusting Ran with even a general truth has a valid reason. As of now, Ran worries about him constantly and she's only on the assumption he's doing something dangerous. If Shinichi confirmed that for her, she would have a nervous breakdown if Shinichi went more than 4 days without calling her because she would think he's dead.

Another way to look at the first point is that if she knows who he is, she might yell out his name by accident, for example she'll say "Shinichi" instead of "Conan" if Conan gets into danger.  Other people will do that too, but I guess people listen to her....?  Iunno xD.

I think if that's the case she'll have/is having break downs anyways.  Not knowing if your detective geek of a friend is yet again chasing people down dark alleyways is never the best thing to worry over.  Thing is he "left" after he followed those "guys in black" after tropicland, she would have called the police if Agasa didn't stop her.  I think no matter what she won't feel comfortable with the situation.  They also have this weird mind connection thingy that lets each other know if the other is in danger (haxxx). 

With that said her "mental breakdowns" are actually pretty mild (needs more smashed objects).  But who knows, she doesn't show her emotions.

[TheBlind]

I think if that's the case she'll have/is having break downs anyways.  Not knowing if your detective geek of a friend is yet again chasing people down dark alleyways is never the best thing to worry over.  Thing is he "left" after he followed those "guys in black" after tropicland, she would have called the police if Agasa didn't stop her.  I think no matter what she won't feel comfortable with the situation.  They also have this weird mind connection thingy that lets each other know if the other is in danger (haxxx). 

With that said her "mental breakdowns" are actually pretty mild (needs more smashed objects).  But who knows, she doesn't show her emotions.

She does show her frustration by breaking into tears sometimes when he calls but the only thing for actually stopping her from breaking down is doubt. She can assume that Shinichi is in danger but since he goes to great lengths to show otherwise she has her doubts which means she worries less and we already see that Ran's "less" is full blown worry. But if Shinichi confirmed himself that he's in a bad situation which is why he's acting the way he is, Ran would break in my opinion. She would have to suppress her impulse helping people in danger, her need to talk to Shinichi,  and etc. The one time he can't call for a trivial reason, Ran looses it thinking the worse which is I think he doesn't tell her.

Not saying that Ran isn't strong but the worst feeling in the world is knowing someone is in danger and you can't do anything about it...now repeat it daily with Ran & Shinichi and you ended up with a Ran that ties up Shinichi in her room so he can never leave next time he comes to visit.

[Found]

I guess this is actually the strong point of DC's romance. Though many question it.

[Fronzel]

I always thought that Shinichi doesn't call Ran more often is because he's suppose to be "dead".

I’ll accept this as a reason he can’t call her every night, but he doesn’t call her with any regularity at all.

He could say “don’t talk about me to anyoneâ€