Episodes 534-535: New Scars and the Whistling Man & Old Scars and the Detective's Soul★★★★

Continuing from episode 533-- With only three days left until the statute of limitations for the serial murder case expires, criminal psychologist Hirato Doji provokes the yet-unapprehended culprit on a TV show, only to be murdered shortly after, with a scar resembling a 'Z' left on his back. Ayumi and Haibara had seen a man whistling near the apartment, and Conan takes notice of this clue. The police suspect that Hirato's death is related to the serial murders that Superintendent Matsumoto has been investigating for years. In episode 535, Conan and Detective Takagi investigate the past three victims and discover that they all went out on Saturday nights, and the clues are all related to 'Mahjong'. The police gradually find a common link between the four victims and identify a man recently released from prison, but the case is not that simple. These episodes feature two murderers: the original Whistling Man (culprit of the serial murders 20 and 15 years ago) and a copycat who killed the Whistling Man. The Whistling Man's motive was absurd; to cover up his crimes and avoid ruining his future, he committed a more serious murder. However, in reality, some people do commit graver crimes to conceal their initial offenses. But if he had surrendered back then, he wouldn't have had to face revenge. The ending is also quite strange. The copycat seeking revenge was confident the police wouldn't catch him and didn't realize he was already suspected. He then knocked out Takagi and intended to take him hostage. I really don't understand this criminal psychology; it feels like a cliché plot by the scriptwriters for Sato and Takagi, who had just started dating, leading to a tragic scenario where one of them is in danger or even dies.