Ep. 272: Conan reveals symbol meanings while police convict Kuniyoshi for murder and Ran contacts Shinichi.

272

Conan guides Joseph Meguire to deduce that the symbols represent kanji outlines, noting that the square symbol is larger because it was not cut off, while the other three lack tops due to being written past the envelope edge. The culprit is identified as Bunta Kuniyoshi, who is convicted after Takagi reassembles shredded documents containing blood to reveal the missing portions of the circle, cross, and triangle, which spell out his name. Kuniyoshi confesses to the murder, claiming he sought a better life for his impoverished family. Meanwhile, Ran, having learned the meaning of the cross symbol, sends a message containing Xs to Shinichi. In a separate location, an unidentified Black Organization member sends a message with Xs to Gin, explaining that the symbol can denote feminine affection or hate, before throwing a dart at a picture of Shiho marked with an X.