Who are the two mysterious old men?
Could the man with the cane be Renya Karasuma, or a former prime minister connected to the Ooka family?
After RUM’s identity came to light, Detective Conan introduced two apparently powerful elderly men whose names and affiliations remain unknown.
One wears what looks like breathing equipment and has a man in sunglasses follow Masumi Sera. The other carries a cane decorated like a hawk, reacts violently to an article about Conan Edogawa, and later asks Tooru Amuro to investigate him.
As of File 1166, neither man’s name or identity has been disclosed. This article reviews their appearances, the leading identity theories, and their possible connections to Mary, Amuro, and Conan without treating speculation as fact.
Detective Conan Has at Least Two Mysterious Old Men, and Neither Identity Is Known
The mysterious elderly men fall into at least two separate lines.
- The man with breathing equipment follows Masumi Sera and sees the de-aged Mary.
- The man with the cane reacts to a Kid Killer article and asks Amuro to investigate Conan.
Both appear influential and have people who act for them, but the evidence discussed here provides no shared object, statement, or explicit identification establishing that they are one person. One approaches the secrets of the Akai family; the other approaches Conan himself. That difference in targets is the clearest reason to keep their story lines separate.
Treating the Man with Breathing Equipment and the Man with the Cane as Different People
It is most natural to analyze the two men as separate people. The first wears equipment resembling an oxygen mask and keeps a man in sunglasses nearby. His attention turns toward Masumi Sera and Mary.
The second carries a cane with a decoration resembling a hawk and is shown with a large bird of prey. He later contacts Tooru Amuro about Conan. Their belongings, companions, targets, and narrative connections all differ. Being elderly and apparently powerful is not enough to merge them into one identity.
Volume 106 also shows a Mysterious Old Woman pushing a stroller with a baby’s face concealed, but she is separate from the two men discussed here.
The Man with Breathing Equipment Is Positioned Along the Mary and Akai Family Plot Line
The man with breathing equipment may be connected to Mary and the Akai family. In his first appearance, he expresses intense contempt for the police. In his next appearance, the man in sunglasses follows Masumi Sera.
What the elderly man ultimately sees appears to be Mary in her de-aged form, rather than Masumi alone. Mary is the mother of Shuichi Akai, Shukichi Haneda, and Masumi Sera. Her husband, Tsutomu Akai, is missing, and the family also has close ties to the Haneda family.
Yasuharu Haneda is the leading theory for the man with breathing equipment, with Tsutomu Akai and Renya Karasuma remaining alternative possibilities; none is confirmed. The old man never calls Mary by name. His surprise at seeing her does not prove that he already knew her identity, disguise, history, or circumstances.
The Man with the Cane Is Wary of Conan and Directs Amuro to Investigate Him
The clear focus of the man with the cane is Conan Edogawa. He first sees an online report praising Conan for cornering Kaitou Kid and violently destroys a smartphone. Later, an elderly man with the distinctive cane contacts Amuro and demands a thorough investigation of Conan.
The anger and the later investigation appear to form a continuous chain of action. Yet the reason for his alarm is unknown. He may suspect a connection to Shinichi Kudo, have a separate grievance involving Kaitou Kid, or be reacting to something else entirely.
Their Names Remain Undisclosed Through File 1166
Through File 1166, the names and affiliations of both men remain undisclosed. The identity and organization of the man in sunglasses are also unknown.
The man with the cane plainly has enough reach to contact Amuro, but that does not establish that he is Renya Karasuma or a member of the Ooka family. Each theory has suggestive details, but none has the final evidence needed for confirmation.
Appearances of the Mysterious Old Men in Manga Volumes 102, 103, and 105 and the Anime
Their central manga appearances are Files 1090, 1096, 1102, and 1115. Each man appears twice.
- File 1090; Episodes 1193-1194 (Japanese episodes 1135-1136): first appearance of the man with breathing equipment.
- File 1096; Episodes 1202-1203 (Japanese episodes 1144-1145): he sees the de-aged Mary.
- File 1102; Episodes 1208-1209 (Japanese episodes 1150-1151): first appearance of the man with the cane.
- File 1115; Episodes 1229-1230 (Japanese episodes 1171-1172): he asks Amuro to investigate Conan.
These scenes arrive after a case or at a moment slightly removed from the immediate mystery, turning relief into unease within a few pages.
File 1090 and Episodes 1193-1194 (Japanese Episodes 1135-1136): First Appearance of the Man with Breathing Equipment
The man first appears in Volume 102, File 1090. Its anime adaptation is Momiji Ooka’s Sweet Trap (Part 1) and Momiji Ooka’s Sweet Trap (Part 2), Episodes 1193-1194 (Japanese episodes 1135-1136).
After the case, a car passes near Conan, Hyoue Kuroda, Muga Iori, and Tooru Amuro. Inside are the elderly man wearing breathing equipment and the man in sunglasses. The old man speaks contemptuously about the police.
Mysterious Old Man: “In the end, the police are nothing but a crowd of dull-witted fools.” (unofficial translation)
The scene supports his contempt or distrust toward the police, but it does not reveal its cause. It remains unclear whether he was observing the solved case or someone nearby.
File 1096 and Episodes 1202-1203 (Japanese Episodes 1144-1145): He Sees the De-aged Mary
He returns in Volume 103, File 1096. The anime adaptation is The Hotel Serial Bombing Case (Part 1) and The Hotel Serial Bombing Case (Part 2), Episodes 1202-1203 (Japanese episodes 1144-1145).
The man in sunglasses follows Masumi at the hotel and activates a fire alarm, drawing the room’s occupant into the hallway. The elderly man then sees Mary in her de-aged form.
Mysterious Old Man: “It is as though I am dreaming.” (unofficial translation)
His reaction shows that the sight shocks him. It may mean he knew Mary’s adult appearance, but he could instead be surprised by de-aging itself. The line changes meaning under each identity theory, so it cannot safely identify him.
File 1102 and Episodes 1208-1209 (Japanese Episodes 1150-1151): The Man with the Cane Destroys a Phone
The elderly man with the hawk-like cane first appears in Volume 103, File 1102. The adaptation is Kaitou Kid and the Crown Trick (Part 1) and Kaitou Kid and the Crown Trick (Part 2), Episodes 1208-1209 (Japanese episodes 1150-1151).
He reads a report praising Conan as the Kid Killer and then smashes the smartphone. The report’s wording can be rendered as: “The Kid Killer scores another major success! His name is Conan Edogawa!” (unofficial translation)
The scene never identifies the object of his anger. It could be Conan, Kaitou Kid, Jirokichi Suzuki, or the media attention itself. A large bird of prey is nearby, and the decoration on his cane resembles a hawk. His sudden loss of control is striking, but it does not settle his identity or motive.
File 1115 and Episodes 1229-1230 (Japanese Episodes 1171-1172): He Directs Amuro to Investigate Conan
The man with the cane also appears in Volume 105, File 1115. The adaptation is The Reason He Became a Butler (Part 1) and The Reason He Became a Butler (Part 2), Episodes 1229-1230 (Japanese episodes 1171-1172).
He uses opposing trains to contact Amuro without presenting his face directly; the distinctive cane receives the visual emphasis. He tells Amuro to investigate Conan thoroughly.
Mysterious Old Man: “Find out everything about Conan Edogawa, down to the marrow of his bones.” (unofficial translation)
His interest in Conan himself is explicit. What he knows about Shinichi Kudo, and whether he approaches Amuro as a private detective, Rei Furuya of the Public Security Bureau, or Bourbon of the Black Organization, remain unknown.
Candidates for the Identity of the Man with Breathing Equipment
The strongest current theory identifies the man with breathing equipment as Yasuharu Haneda, while Tsutomu Akai and Renya Karasuma remain alternatives; his identity is still unconfirmed. Each can be connected to some combination of Mary, the Haneda family, or de-aging, but no candidate explains every detail without gaps.
The Yasuharu Haneda Theory: A Link to Koji Haneda’s Case and Mary
One proposed identity is Yasuharu Haneda, the father of Koji Haneda. Koji was killed seventeen years ago in a case involving RUM of the Black Organization.
If that case remained unsolved for years, a father’s distrust of the police would be understandable, though the story has not stated that this is the old man’s motive. The Haneda and Akai families are connected, so following Masumi and seeing Mary also has a possible narrative route.
The theory remains unconfirmed because Yasuharu’s present appearance, authority over the man in sunglasses, and knowledge of Mary’s condition are not established. It is emotionally plausible, not proven.
The Tsutomu Akai Theory: Surprise at Seeing His De-aged Wife
The Tsutomu Akai theory gives the dream-like reaction its most personal interpretation. Tsutomu is Mary’s husband and the father of Shuichi Akai, Shukichi Haneda, and Masumi Sera. He is missing, while his survival and present appearance remain undisclosed.
If the elderly man were Tsutomu, he would be seeing his long-absent wife in a child’s body. Yet that interpretation raises major questions: why he looks elderly, why he needs breathing equipment, who the man in sunglasses is, and why he does not speak to Mary.
The emotional fit is compelling, but the appearance and behavior are unexplained, so the identity is still only a possibility.
The Renya Karasuma Theory: The Black Organization Boss Whose Present Appearance Is Unknown
Another theory identifies the man as Renya Karasuma, the boss of the Black Organization. Karasuma’s name is known, but his present appearance and location are not disclosed in the evidence discussed here.
Because the Black Organization caused Mary’s de-aging, someone connected to its research could have a reason to observe the result. Using an intermediary and gathering information from a distance would also suit a powerful hidden figure.
However, nothing directly links the breathing equipment, contempt for police, or personal surprise at Mary to Karasuma. It is also not confirmed here that Karasuma took a drug or seeks immortality. An unknown appearance alone is not enough evidence.
The Identity and Purpose of the Man in Sunglasses Are Also Unknown
The man in sunglasses is as unidentified as the elderly man he accompanies. He follows Masumi and uses a hotel fire alarm to draw Mary out.
His obedience makes roles such as secretary, guard, or subordinate possible, but none is confirmed. Nor does the aggressive method establish that he belongs to the Black Organization. Learning his name or affiliation could sharply narrow the old man’s identity, but that clue has not arrived.
Candidates for the Identity of the Old Man with the Hawk-like Cane
Proposed identities include Momiji Ooka’s grandfather or another former-prime-minister-level figure, Renya Karasuma, a rival of Jirokichi Suzuki, or a new character. The man appears to possess both resources and enough influence to reach Amuro.
What remains unknown is whether that influence comes from the Public Security Bureau, the Black Organization, politics, or the business world.
The Men in Files 1102 and 1115 Most Naturally Appear to Be the Same Person
The strongest reading is that Files 1102 and 1115 show the same man. Both scenes prominently feature the hawk-like cane, a similar elderly appearance, and an aura of power. His first reaction to Conan is followed by an order to investigate Conan.
Still, the narrative has not named him or explicitly said that the two appearances are identical. The shared cane and continuity of purpose make the identification strongly implied, not formally confirmed.
The Theory That He Is Momiji Ooka’s Grandfather or a Former Prime Minister
One theory places the man in Momiji Ooka’s family or at the level of a former prime minister. The Ooka family has considerable political and financial influence, while Muga Iori has demonstrated notable information-gathering ability.
The contact with Amuro occurs in a story involving Momiji and Iori, and the elaborate use of trains suggests wealth and planning. Yet nobody calls the man an Ooka family member, and family influence does not prove that he knows Amuro’s hidden identities.
The context suits the theory, but there is no direct identification.
The Renya Karasuma Theory: Similar Caution, but No Decisive Evidence
The man’s extreme caution is one reason readers may associate him with Renya Karasuma. He avoids standing beside Amuro and instead uses opposing trains for contact.
Vermouth: “The boss is extremely cautious, the type to test a stone bridge so much that he breaks it.” (unofficial translation)
Giving orders from a safe distance resembles that description, but caution is not unique to Karasuma. The cane’s bird resembles a hawk rather than a crow. It is also unknown whether the man addresses Amuro as Bourbon, Rei Furuya, or a private detective. The presentation evokes the Black Organization boss, but the details preserve other possibilities.
A Rival of Jirokichi Suzuki or an Entirely New Character Remains Possible
The man may instead have a grievance involving Jirokichi Suzuki or Kaitou Kid. His first scene centers on a Kid Killer report, so his anger need not be directed solely at Conan.
He could be a wealthy figure who competed with the Suzuki family or suffered humiliation involving Kaitou Kid. No direct Suzuki connection is shown, however. The possibility that he is a newly introduced power player also remains open.
The more identities remain plausible, the more important the unanswered question becomes: why does he regard Conan as worth such an extreme investigation?
Why Is the Man with the Cane Investigating Conan Edogawa?
The one confirmed objective is a detailed investigation of Conan Edogawa. It is not known whether the man suspects Conan’s true identity, is tracing his encounters with Kaitou Kid, or fears his involvement in another matter.
His reason for choosing Tooru Amuro is another crucial blank in the mystery.
He Reacted Violently to the Kid Killer Article
The first strong emotion shown by the man with the cane comes when he reads the online article about Conan. He does not merely close the report; he destroys a smartphone in a burst of anger.
- Conan’s growing fame may anger him.
- Kaitou Kid losing ground to a child may anger him.
- Jirokichi Suzuki receiving attention may anger him.
- The public spread of Conan’s existence may anger him.
The scene alone cannot distinguish among those targets. The later order makes concern about Conan himself more likely, but it still does not explain the underlying motive.
He Orders Amuro to Investigate Conan Thoroughly
The man explicitly names Conan and demands an exhaustive investigation. That desire for a thorough inquiry is confirmed even though its purpose is not.
The wording suggests interest beyond a basic school or family profile, but the story does not enumerate the requested categories. It also does not establish that he has recognized Conan as Shinichi Kudo. He could simply regard a repeatedly successful elementary-school detective as suspicious or dangerous.
It Is Unknown Whether Amuro Acts as Bourbon, Public Security Agent, or Private Detective
The capacity in which the old man contacts Amuro is vital to interpreting the request. Amuro has three relevant public or hidden roles:
- Tooru Amuro, the private detective apprenticed to Kogoro Mouri.
- Rei Furuya of the Public Security Bureau.
- Bourbon, an undercover operative within the Black Organization.
A request to a private detective could come from a wealthy civilian. An order to Furuya would suggest access to government or police power. Contact with Bourbon would strengthen a Black Organization connection.
The evidence discussed here does not reveal which identity the old man knows, so none of those institutional conclusions is safe yet.
Why Amuro Did Not Fully Brief Hyoue Kuroda Is Also Unresolved
The extent of any information shared between Amuro and Hyoue Kuroda about the man with the cane is not shown. It would be premature to say Amuro deliberately concealed the encounter.
If it was a Public Security Bureau matter, Kuroda might be connected. If it was a Black Organization task or a private request, Amuro might have reasons not to discuss every detail. Yet the evidence discussed here directly links neither Kuroda nor any organization to the old man.
The cautious conclusion is that the scope of their information sharing is simply unshown.
What Do the Latest Manga and Anime Reveal About the Mysterious Old Men?
All four story lines containing these appearances have received anime adaptations. Even through File 1166, however, the identities of the two old men remain undisclosed.
The animated versions add voices, movement, and sound to the scenes, but they do not add a confirmed name or affiliation.
All Four Appearance Story Lines Have Been Adapted into Anime
The complete anime list is as follows.
- Episodes 1193-1194 (Japanese episodes 1135-1136), Momiji Ooka’s Sweet Trap (Part 1) and Momiji Ooka’s Sweet Trap (Part 2): first appearance of the man with breathing equipment.
- Episodes 1202-1203 (Japanese episodes 1144-1145), The Hotel Serial Bombing Case (Part 1) and The Hotel Serial Bombing Case (Part 2): he sees Mary.
- Episodes 1208-1209 (Japanese episodes 1150-1151), Kaitou Kid and the Crown Trick (Part 1) and Kaitou Kid and the Crown Trick (Part 2): first appearance of the man with the cane.
- Episodes 1229-1230 (Japanese episodes 1171-1172), The Reason He Became a Butler (Part 1) and The Reason He Became a Butler (Part 2): he directs Amuro to investigate Conan.
The anime makes the breathing sound and the violent destruction of the smartphone more immediate. It does not independently disclose either identity.
File 1166 Still Contains No Direct Identity Reveal
As of File 1166, neither man has received a direct identity reveal. Their names, affiliations, and histories remain hidden.
- The identity of the man with breathing equipment is unknown.
- The affiliation of the man in sunglasses is unknown.
- The identity of the man with the cane is unknown.
- His relationship with Amuro is unresolved.
- His true reason for investigating Conan is unresolved.
Although time has passed since the appearances, both men were deliberately placed at the ends of otherwise self-contained cases. Their scenes may gain new meaning when the larger plot returns to them, but that remains a prediction rather than a disclosed fact.
The Next Clues May Be Mary’s Reaction and Amuro’s Findings
The next useful evidence may come from the reactions of other characters. On a future meeting, Mary might recognize the face or voice of the man with breathing equipment, but the evidence discussed here does not establish that she will.
If the man in sunglasses approaches Masumi again, the Akai family connection may become clearer. For the man with the cane, the key questions are how far Amuro’s investigation proceeds and what he reports.
No return date is known, and even one new line or a clearer view of the cane could substantially change the balance among the theories.
Summary
Detective Conan currently presents at least two distinct mysterious elderly men. The man with breathing equipment sees the de-aged Mary and describes the sight as dream-like; Yasuharu Haneda is the leading theory for his identity, but it is not confirmed. The man with the cane demands that Amuro investigate Conan thoroughly and remains the more mysterious of the two.
One plot line moves toward the Akai family’s secrets, while the other moves toward Conan. Yasuharu Haneda leads the theories for the first man, with Tsutomu Akai and Renya Karasuma as alternatives. An Ooka family figure, Renya Karasuma, a rival of Jirokichi Suzuki, or a new character remain theories for the second.
Every candidate explains part of the mystery, but none has the decisive evidence required for confirmation. Until a name, affiliation, or direct recognition appears, the safest reading is to preserve the distinction between what the story shows and what its clues merely suggest.
Comments