Forum reserved for discussing specific points of the story—mostly from the manga. Be warned, these discussions will be current with the manga and will spoil many plot lines for anime-centric fans.
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Spoiler:
Okay, then what is the BO boss doing at Teitan Elementary? What's her plan?
“Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the roofs, and and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and leading to the most outre results, it would make all fiction with its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and unprofitable.”
“Education never ends... it is a series of lessons, with the greatest for the last.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and His Last Bow
"I have decided to stick to love... hate is too great a burden to bear."
— Martin Luther King Jr. (A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr)
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Lol perfect. Just what I was looking for.
Spoiler:
Wow, that last point is really interesting. Alright, this settles it, I'm officially hopping on the Maria = Boss hype train. Choo chooo
Last edited by thriceplus on December 13th, 2017, 12:55 am, edited 2 times in total.
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Spoiler:
Okay, then what is the BO boss doing at Teitan Elementary? What's her plan?
Same reason that Rumi is there. Keeping tabs on Conan.
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Spoiler:
Okay, then what is the BO boss doing at Teitan Elementary? What's her plan?
Same reason that Rumi is there. Keeping tabs on Conan.
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Spoiler:
But since Renya is/was so rich, wouldn't his gender be publicly known? At least to Yusaku. He was not a poor guy that died without being noticed by anybody.
My dad’s a soldier blue I’ll be a soldier, too
When I grow older you will see me rescue you
I’ll teach you this old song so you can sing along
When I am dead and gone the day won’t be so long.
Anyone bored enough to hype up a Boss = Maria theory? It's still pretty far fetched but not completely out there after the latest chapter.
Some "evidence":
- Especially for people who believe the boss is shrunk like Conan, I would say Maria's the most likely out of the recurring characters. Way too insane for any of the DB characters and I don't think any of Conan's other classmates have gotten much screentime.
- She's a transfer student like Haibara and transfer students are naturally suspicious. She could have transferred in to keep tabs on Conan or Haibara.
- The timing of her appearance in between 1005 and 1008 is pretty suspicious, especially since she initially invited Conan (this coincides with the recent Shinichi's revival uproar so she could have ulterior motives).
That's all I got. Like I said, it's still far fetched, but it's possible, especially if you are a subscriber to the shrunken boss theory.
Spoiler:
Alright, let’s have some fun! Here come another three pieces of unshakable evidence:
(1) Maria Higashio can’t be Renya Karasuma because she’s female? No problem! Whatever shrinking drug the boss might have taken, it didn’t need to contain a sex-changing effect. By all appearances, the name Renya has also been given to females, albeit not as frequently as it has been given to males, and preferentially with other characters like 也 as the second component rather than the 耶 in question. There is, however, at least one site that lists 蓮耶 as a viable option for girls. If these data are reliable? I have no idea. In view of the present background story, though, it’s possible that we’re looking at some archaic variant whose popularity and usage have long vanished and which is therefore only going to be detectable in more specific sources as a phenomenon of older times. Since it has been established that little is actually known about the individual called Renya Karasuma, it is conceivable that basal mistakes like an error about gender are involved here.
(2) When was Maria Higashio introduced? Right! In File 548. When did the interview where Aoyama famously discloses that Anokata’s “full name” had already been included somewhere in the manga take place? Correct! A mere three chapters later. The mention was over five years ago at that point, and the corresponding question didn’t really trigger such a statement—was he driven by the then-recent smuggling-in of that person in his her infantile shape? By the way, this case—arguably as unspectacular in its essence as the latest one—is followed by the Giant Hammer Case and the Mysterious Job Case, which both feature the Black Organization.
(3) When did Maria Higashio reappear? Exactly! In File 966. What was going on there? Quite! Rumi Wakasa entered the stage. As Yuusaku’s deduction is probably accurate, Kouji Haneda’s dying message should indeed be CARASUMA, potentially implying that Rumi Wakasa is aware of this as well. So how did Maria Higashio reappear?
Precisely! After over ten and a half years (File 549 published on December 7, 2005 → File 966 published on July 13, 2016), in one single frame, the left one, which could have had a perfectly cheerful existence without her. And what happened there? Dead on! Haibara explains the reason for Rumi Wakasa’s surprising arrival: transfer students. What kind of transfer students? Transfer students like us, a correct translation of 私やあなたのような転校生 ’transfer students like me and you’, which is to say: transfer students rejuvenated by some wicked poison. Wouldn’t this be a lovely subtle and economical way to show Maria Higashio as CARASUMA No. 1 and perhaps likewise as Rumi Wakasa’s true objective in just one panel without doing so explicitly?
Let me be honest: When I started this post, I wasn’t expecting anything more than a little entertaining and curative treatment for yesterday’s atom bomb by spreading an absurd conspiracy theory. But when I start to reflect it … This is pretty scary, isn’t it?
Spoiler:
But since Renya is/was so rich, wouldn't his gender be publicly known? At least to Yusaku. He was not a poor guy that died without being noticed by anybody.
Crossdressing. You know the Japanese love that kind of stuff.
All the talk of accepting Renya as the boss is extremely similar to all the talk of just accepting Jodie as Vermouth, accepting Okiya as Bourbon or hell even now with people just saying that the teacher is Rum because of the APTX list. If you guys were around the DC fandom (especially the Jodie=Vermouth phase where a lot of people didn't even question it) back in the days, you'll know what I'm talking about. It's either a huge red herring or there's a big twist to it somewhere (like Renya under disguise as another character because he drank APTX or something).
Spoiler:
i never approve a pattern in DC as a proof for some theory that fans do nowadays. It just a hint, never depends on it. Also, what Gosho did isn't just pick some random character to be boss because of his health like some people thought!?. There is a lot of hint about boss and BO but one that pick my interest is "If we know about that the real name of the BO then we will know the identity of the boss" and The boss already appeared in manga somewhere (either name, face, or siluet). Let's say the real name of the BO is Yakuza or Mafia. But we still can't learn about the identity of the boss. So it means the name of BO must be a company or crime organization name which based by family simbol or name. Like Suzuki, Honda or a name of animal or things as the family symbol, one thing that pick my interest is a lot of agent that infiltrate the BO never know the real name of BO... But only haibara which seems to know. It seems Gosho made the name of the BO a secret not only from the fans but also from the character. From that i have 2 conclusion.
If gosho hide it from fans, it means the name related to people who already appeared not the people who appeared later.
If gosho hide it from the character, it means the name have some big influence in the World of DC and also related to people with power or renown in DC. So i search a lot of character and have 2 major suspect and a few of minor suspect. The 2 suspect is karasuma and suzuki family and thats my basis for my theory. So, when asaca rum code appeared, i quickly realize another possible meaning which is carasuma.
But like i said before... The order is wrong and there is possibility i'm wrong. But it still fun to know how close your theory are.
Spoiler:
i agree that the boss identity maybe not renya, but i may have to look at the past file especially the karasuma case or the reason of the drug was created.
130177130179417
ran mamijo kun
katara kare anya masuno
One more thing to note: the title of the first chapter she appeared in - File 548: 怪人二百面相. Wikipedia has the English translation as "The fiend with the 200 faces", but a quick dictionary search simply shows "mysterious person" as a possible way to interpret 怪人. (The official German volume has it as "devil"... to add drama, I guess?)
In the context of the chapter, of course, it referred to a note scribbled by the teacher Ms. Kobayashi, who pretended to have disappeared to give the kids some puzzle to solve and help the new students fit in.
Could it also be a subtle clue by Aoyama?
If the boss is Maria In disguise, then s/he is (yet another) character adept at changing their identity, in which case the description "mysterious person with 200 faces" would fit.
Other things:
-Maria lets out an Osakan accent by accident, and Ai remarks how a person will never lose an accent, only "take them off like jewelry" (German translation), and that she shouldn't be ashamed.
-Genta didn't even notice Maria until she got paired up with their group, even though she had been in the class for some time - showing that she doesn't stand out and can go by unnoticed (maybe reaching, since Ayumi did know who she was,
and Genta is generally a buffoon.
Good theory. What I like most is that it would make sense to have the final boss be a kid like Conan. And with Maria, no one would suspect it.
One more thing to note: the title of the first chapter she appeared in - File 548: 怪人二百面相. Wikipedia has the English translation as "The fiend with the 200 faces", but a quick dictionary search simply shows "mysterious person" as a possible way to interpret 怪人. (The official German volume has it as "devil"... to add drama, I guess?)
In the context of the chapter, of course, it referred to a note scribbled by the teacher Ms. Kobayashi, who pretended to have disappeared to give the kids some puzzle to solve and help the new students fit in.
Could it also be a subtle clue by Aoyama?
If the boss is Maria In disguise, then s/he is (yet another) character adept at changing their identity, in which case the description "mysterious person with 200 faces" would fit.
Other things:
-Maria lets out an Osakan accent by accident, and Ai remarks how a person will never lose an accent, only "take them off like jewelry" (German translation), and that she shouldn't be ashamed.
-Genta didn't even notice Maria until she got paired up with their group, even though she had been in the class for some time - showing that she doesn't stand out and can go by unnoticed (maybe reaching, since Ayumi did know who she was,
and Genta is generally a buffoon.
Good theory. What I like most is that it would make sense to have the final boss be a kid like Conan. And with Maria, no one would suspect it.
Great observations, especially withthe 200 face mysterious person. That would be very clever foreshadowing by Gosho.
I've found some interesting symbolism to connect Maria to the archvillains in both Edogawa's and Conan's works. All this might be a coincidence but I think it's worth a look.
Spoiler:
1. Her Japanese name 東尾 マリア uses katakana. Normally this isn't that unusual since Maria is used as a Japanese name, but almost every recurring character in the series has a Kanji given name. The three main exceptions are Okino Yoko, Yamamura Misao and most importantly Edogawa Conan, which we know is a fake name. Think about it: if Maria is actually the boss, then the name Maria must be a fake name. Conan's fake name is a reference to Arthur Conan Doyle, so what about Maria? I can't find any famous Maria's with ties to crime fiction, but what about this idea: Could "Maria" be a reference to Moriarty? It's not exact of course, but a lot of Gosho's name references (Sera Masumi being a reference to Sayla Mass, etc) are also not exact.
For reference:
Moriarty's katakana is モリアーティ
Maria's katakana is マリア.
Notice the リア being in common? The names are very similar.
I think Maria is a plausible way for Gosho to pick a feminine reference to Moriarty without being blatantly obvious?
2. I'm going to take your point of the fiend of 200 disguises even further. The title references this guy specifically: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fiend ... enty_Faces
It's definitely very interesting that Maria's first appearance is in a chapter referencing the most famous antagonist in Edogawa Ranpo's novels. Coupled with the potential Moriarty reference and there's definitely a clear way to link Maria to the most famous antagonist of both of Edogawa and Conan's (the two namesake of Edogawa Conan). At this point, we need to decipher her last name 東尾. Is this a reference to something as well?
Other random thoughts:
Spoiler:
3. I have to say it. She really, really looks like a female version of Conan. I mean her hair is different, but she has the same glasses + face. Like if both Maria and Conan shave their heads, they'd look identical.
4. If we really believe that Renya Karasuma is the true boss, I think it's actually very Gosho-ian that his disguise will be someone like Maria. In Vermouth's arc, remember that Gosho heavily teased us another American woman (Jodie) that looks a lot like Vermouth but then revealed that her disguise is a Japanese man, which is pretty much the complete opposite of her real appearance. Likewise, the complete opposite of Renya Karasuma's appearance (that's being portrayed as this really old dude) is a weak, little girl, which makes Maria a very shocking but plausible disguise.
I don't even know anymore. I can't tell if this is one of those Lincoln/Kennedy things where we're just finding patterns out of nothing or not.
Some remaining questions that I find significant. Feel free to discuss them!
Spoiler:
5. What's with the Kansai connection? We know she's from Kansai and there has to be some significance to that. I think right now, we need to see if the BO or Renya has any Kansai connection that can support this theory, so I don't think we know enough. The closest I got is that Edogawa Ranpo is from Kansai, so maybe it's a reference to that? Either way, definitely keep an eye out for potential BO Kansai connections.
6. What is 東尾 a reference to? If Maria is a reference to Moriarty, then what is her last name a reference too? We need to go through detective novel villains, especially Japanese ones, which I don't know if anyone here is well versed in.
7. Why does Haibara's test fail on her?
8. Who are her grandparents? Why does her grandpa look so freaking much like James Black? If we accept that Maria's the Boss, then whoever appeared in those pictures with her are of critical interest.
9. If she's actually the BO boss, what is her objective in 1006-1008? I think this is the theory's biggest weak point since she way too innocent there. Is this some kind of test for Conan because of the 1005 Shinichi appearance? She did he specifically invited Conan who didn't end up going. But if she's actually the boss then there has to be a very compelling reason why spent all that time recreating home videos and hiring 2 old people to pose as her grandparents.
Maria is not originally a Japanese name, it's Italian / Spanish hence why it's written in Katakana.
Also, in my opinion, the Maria = Boss theory is very weak and contrived and seems no more than an attempt to grab at straws: her grandfather design is typical Gosho design recycling combining James Black and the Luna Memoria case's deceased husband. So it's not relevant.
In my opinion, Karasuma was the original Boss of the BO but nowadays it's someone else and I think it must be an adult man / woman. As for who it is, I have no idea.
Good Research on the Maria front, kudos for the effort!
The biggest counter-Argument for me is: She has grandparents and an ENTIRE ROOM of home Videos with them. This could only be reconciled with the theory if a) those Videos/Grandparents don't really exist and are a bluff (why go to the lengths?) or b) Maria got Switched out and replaced by Anokata at some point which...opens up another can of Worms, I guess.
Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it.
("Macbeth")
