Detective Conan Episode 487, titled "Metropolitan Police Detective Love Story 8: The Left Hand's Ring Finger", is a standout installment in the long-running Case Closed series. Originally aired on October 15, 2007, this episode masterfully blends the series' signature intricate mystery with the fan-favorite romantic tension between Detectives Miwako Sato and Wataru Takagi. Episode Overview
Title: Metropolitan Police Detective Love Story 8: The Left Hand's Ring Finger Original Air Date: October 15, 2007 Manga Source: File 576–578 (Volume 56) Case Type: Locked-room murder The Romantic Rumor Mill
The episode begins with a buzz at the Metropolitan Police Department. Detective Sato is seen wearing a ring on the ring finger of her left hand—traditionally the finger for engagement rings. This sends shockwaves through the department, particularly among the male officers who are notoriously protective of Sato. Detective Takagi, who did not give her the ring, is left in a state of depressed confusion, wondering if someone else has captured her heart.
It is later revealed that the ring was actually a gift from Yumi Miyamoto, who told Sato it was a "charm" to keep "bugs" (unwanted suitors) away. Sato, being somewhat dense in romantic matters, took the advice literally without realizing the significance of which finger she chose. The Case: The Locked-Room Mystery
While the police department is distracted by office gossip, Kogoro Mouri is invited to an interview with a famous but arrogant mystery writer, Masataka Moroguchi. Moroguchi is obsessed with analog technology and recently acquired a gaudy, diamond-encrusted ring.
The next morning, Moroguchi is found dead from cyanide poisoning in a sealed room. The key to the room is found clutched in his own palm, and the only other opening is a window too small for an adult to pass through. Suspects & Motives Kakuji Dejima: Moroguchi’s interviewer. Wataru Tarumi: An editor. Harue Anabuki: Moroguchi’s housekeeper. The Resolution
Conan Edogawa, naturally, identifies the trick behind the "locked" room. The culprit used a cassette tape string looped around Moroguchi’s ring to create a "zip-line" from the small window to the victim's hand. This allowed the killer to slide the key directly into the deceased man's palm from outside the room. detective conan episode 487
The murderer is revealed to be Kakuji Dejima, who sought revenge for his friend and former assistant of Moroguchi, Akiba. Moroguchi had used Akiba as a "test subject" for his macabre murder ideas, which eventually led to Akiba's death—a tragedy the police had originally ruled a suicide. Ending and Legacy
The episode concludes with a classic "Takagi and Sato" moment. After Sato realizes the misunderstanding her ring caused, she accepts Takagi's offer to replace the "charm" with a ring of his own choosing—though the romantic progress remains characteristically slow.
For fans, Episode 487 is a perfect example of why the Metropolitan Police Detective Love Story sub-series is so beloved, offering high-stakes deductive reasoning alongside the endearing, comedic development of the series' secondary cast.
Episode Number: 487 (Filler Case) Manga Source: Original TV Original (Anime Original) Title: The Melody of the Spilled Ink (Inki no Koboreta Senritsu)
This is where Episode 487 digs deep into character psychology. Sato is not just excited; she is terrified. Viewers will recall that Sato’s first love, Detective Jinpei Matsuda, was killed by a bomb set by the serial killer "Kamiya" before they could formalize their relationship. Matsuda died with a ring in his locker that he never got to give her.
Sato begins to see parallels: Takagi is going to a dangerous location (a secluded park) to give her a ring. Her PTSD kicks in. She flashes back to Matsuda’s death, worrying that history is repeating itself. She believes in the "curse" of the police love story—that any officer who finds true happiness will lose it in the line of duty. Detective Conan Episode 487 , titled "Metropolitan Police
A. The Atmosphere The setting of a planetarium provides a unique atmosphere distinct from the typical mansions or hotels of other episodes. The visuals of the starry sky during the murder add a cinematic quality to the crime. The contrast between the serene beauty of the projection and the violence of the murder is effective.
B. The "Dying Message" This episode features a classic Detective Conan trope: the "Dying Message." The usage of the star projector is creative. It requires the viewer (and the detectives) to have some knowledge or engage in logical deduction regarding astronomy. It is a satisfying puzzle that feels solvable for the audience paying close attention to the visuals.
C. The Heiji & Conan Dynamic Episodes featuring Heiji are generally fan favorites because Conan has someone he can speak to openly as an equal (almost). The banter between the "Detective of the East" and the "Detective of the West" makes the investigation scenes move faster and feel more energetic. In this episode, Heiji gets the honor of stunning the culprit at the end (via his baseball skills), which is a nice change of pace from Conan's tranquilizer watch.
Can you skip this episode? No, if you are a completionist or a fan of Heiji Hattori. Yes, if you are only watching the main plot (Black Organization) arc, as this is a pure "filler" mystery case with no impact on the overarching narrative.
Who should watch this?
In the grand tapestry of Detective Conan, Episode 487 is a watershed moment. It is the episode where Sato finally stops running. The Ink Bottle: A bottle of expensive black
She confesses—not explicitly, but tacitly—that she has been using danger as a form of suicide by proxy. Every time she chased a bomb threat or a killer, a part of her hoped to join Matsuda.
Takagi’s survival in this episode is not luck. It is choice. He chooses to stay alive for her. And by the end, when Sato looks at the ring on his finger—now his own, not a prop—she sees the future, not the past.
Detective Conan Ep 487: "Metropolitan Police Love Story 8 – The Left Hand’s Ring Finger" 💍🚔
Sato wears a ring → Police dept panics → Takagi sweats bullets → Murder happens → Conan solves it. Classic!
Heartwarming backstory + solid mystery. A must-watch for Takagi/Sato fans. 💕
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
#DetectiveConan #CaseClosed #TakagiSato
