Disguise

Disguises are a very commonly used plot device for cases in Detective Conan. In most cases, the disguises are simple: wigs, makeup, sunglasses, clothing, etc., are used to alter the person's face and build to give the impression they are a different person. Some degree of disguise ability is common among magicians and actors. A few characters specialize in disguise and are capable of copying a person's voice and appearance exactly.

Types of disguises in Detective Conan

Simple

Most characters use simple disguises to change their appearance. Usually said disguise is fairly weak and only just hides the person's identity. Examples of simple disguises include...

• wigs and fake facial hair
• makeup
• sunglasses and glasses
• clothing
• padding and platform shoes
• mechanical voice alteration

Elaborate

Relatively few characters possess the knowledge to create detailed disguises that would hold up under scrutiny.

Latex masks

Although their use is relatively rare, latex masks are a very successful disguise strategy in Detective Conan. They are portrayed as being practically perfect renditions of others' faces. Detective Conan latex masks stand up even under close range inspection -even quickly assembled ones. They also stand up to minor abuse and weather. They do have the drawback of being disruptable. Kaitou Kid was forced not to wear goggles because it would disrupt his Jirokichi disguise. Face pinching is the most common technique used to detect a latex mask, and is gleefully employed by Kaitou Kid hunter Inspector Nakamori

Kuroba Kaito has demonstrated the ability to apply latex masks in a matter of seconds for a practically flawless disguise. How he stores them on his person without damaging them is unknown. Other characters like Yukiko take several hours to apply a mask which is much more realistic.

There are four known expert practitioners who can create latex masks Kuroba Kaito, Kuroba Toichi, Vermouth, and Kudo Yukiko. Chikage Kuroba, aka Phantom Lady, may also be an expert with masks as well.

Voice mimicry

Voice mimicry is a relatively rare skill in Detective Conan. There are four known expert practitioners who can mimic a range of voices without the aid of a device, Kuroba Kaito, Kuroba Toichi, Vermouth, and Kudo Yukiko. Kuroba Kaito has demonstrated the greatest range and flexibility so far: mimicking children, elderly, men, and women alike. He can also copy someone's voice after hearing just a little of that person's speech. Kuroba Toichi's voice mimicry skills have not been seen much because of his relatively few appearances, but as the first Kaito Kid and the teacher of Vermouth and Yukiko, it can be assumed he excelled at this. Vermouth has been seen mimicking adult men and women's voices. Yukiko's ability seems lesser than the other three, sticking with adult women's voices, but she shown the ability to copy regional accents.

Characters using Agasa's voice-changing bowtie can easily and precisely copy anyone's voice. Conan is by far the most frequent user although Agasa has used it as well. Professor Agasa also created a variation on the bowtie called the Voice-Changing Face Mask which also enables voice imitation, but additionally muffles the wearer's voice so that they sound ill. Ai Haibara and Conan have both employed this gadget. Neither the bowtie nor the mask cannot imitate regional accents.

Plastic Surgery

Several characters underwent plastic surgery in order to change their facial appearance or copy some one else's face. This typically cannot be done on short notice as it requires sufficient funds and several months to heal after extensive changes.

• One of the residents of the blue castle disguised as old family head Masuyo Mamiya in the The Old Blue Castle Investigation Case case.
• Makoto Okuda copied Shinichi Kudo's face in the Murderer, Shinichi Kudo case.

Mechanical mockup

Professor Agasa made a mechanical mockup which worn on his shoulders used that makes him seem like a much taller male figure. Agasa has only used it once in the Conan Edogawa Kidnapping Case.

Characters who specialize in disguise

Many of the characters who specialize in disguise have studied under a magician, and many magicians in Detective Conan also have disguise abilities.

Chikage Kuroba

Also known as Phantom Lady, Chikage Kuroba was a thief in her young years who specialized at disguise indicated by nickname "the women of twenty faces". She specialized in stage tricks during her heists although it is unknown whom she learned them from. After meeting with Toichi on a heist, she married him and presumably taught him some of her disguise art.

Toichi Kuroba

An excellent stage magician and first Kaitou Kid, Toichi Kuroba taught many of the current disguise artists in Detective Conan. He himself may have learned some of his disguise from his wife, Chikage Kuroba. Toichi Kuroba likely specialized in the same techniques his son now uses: quick changing skills, latex masks, perfect voice imitation, and various gadgets.

Kaito Kuroba

Kaito Kuroba is a son of the Toichi Kuroba and Chikage Kuroba. Kaito's ability to disguise is most likely to be learned from his parents. Kaito has taken over the role of Kaitou Kid, a thief which specializes in stealing targets by impersonating those at the scene using quick changing skills, latex masks, perfect voice imitation, and various gadgets. Kaito specializes at quick disguises, altering his appearance in a matter of seconds while shrouded by smoke or commotion. Kaito's disguises are rarely used in the long term, and Kaito occasionally says things "out-of-character", leading to his disguise being uncovered.

Vermouth

Vermouth is a Black Organization specialist disguise artist and actress who studied under Toichi Kuroba. While highly competent at short and quick disguise, Vermouth excels at long term impersonation, and is capable of taking over someone's life and fooling even their close friends and family. She has used this ability to create two different star actress identities for herself: Sharon Vineyard and Chris Vineyard, which serve as her public faces and give her mobility and access to events exclusive to the rich and famous.

Her disguise ability was first shown in the episode 230 (The Mysterious Passenger), when she was shown dressed as a waiter, provoking both Gin and Vodka.

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Yukiko Kudo

Shinichi's mother, Yukiko also used to study with Toichi Kuroba. Her disguise ability is not as good as Vermouth's and Kaito's, but is portrayed far more true to life than either of the two. She is capable of making latex masks, but applying them typically takes hours. Her voice mimicry is also fairly limited, and she tends to stick to women's voices, although she does regional accents quite well. She often prefers a simple wig, hat, and altered voice combination which is easily seen through by her son.

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List of Cases involving a disguise

This list is currently incomplete.' For long term or repeatedly used disguises, the first instance of use will be mentioned i.e (Conan's bowtie, Vermouth's Araide)

The Kidnaping of a Company President's Daughter Case (Manga: 2-5, Anime: 2)

• Edogawa Conan - Glasses: to make his face less recognizable

An Idol's Locked Room Murder Case (Manga: 6-9, Anime: 3)

• Yoko Okino - Hat: to make her face less recognizable
• Edogawa Conan - Voice-Changing Bowtie: to copy Kogoro and Shinichi's voice. This is a very often recurring method Conan uses to impersonate others.

Aka Oni Mura Fire Festival Murder Case (Manga: 10-12, Anime: 38)

• Negishi Masaki impersonator - Hat, Sunglasses, Coat: He was paid by Negishi Masaki's murderer to impersonate the victim to give the killer an alibi. Disguise foiled by being oppositely handed the real Negishi Masaki.

The Strange Person Hunt Murder Case (Manga: 13-16, Anime 13, 128)

• Miyano Akemi - Makeup, Glasses, School Uniform, Hairstyle: Used to make herself look younger. Disguise foiled by imperfect application a second time.

Detective Conan vs. real world disguise

In real world, creating a facial mask may be possible, but trying to impersonate other people and not to mention in a short amount of time is more likely impossible. In Detective Conan, Vermouth and Kaitou Kid seems to change themselves really quickly (and easily) unlike Yukiko who had 7 hours of time to dress Heiji and Conan.