Design & Ergonomics: I mentioned earlier how the current Conquest 100 size palms like the former 50. It is an engineering achievement that still surprises me. However, while this new 100 sized Calcutta Conquest DC palms like the smaller reel, its overall form factor is still larger and just barely misses the mark on the magical allure of the 50 sized platform.

All would be sharp edges are rounded off so there's no discomfort wherever you hold the reel

All that aside, the standard, 84mm handle balances out nicely on the reel and all the would be hard edges are rounded off so there are no sharp angles or edges to interrupt your grip as your hand slides around the reel. Shimano even flattens out the top bar giving your thumb a comfortable place to rest when palming the reel.

Do you hold your reels like this? If so, you'll like how Shimano drops the height of that top bar, and flattens it giving you a comfortable spot to place your thumb

The sideplate easily flips open and swivels out of the way instead of detaching, and all the brake adjustments are easy to operate. If you need to remove the spool, the DC housing (sideplate and all) comes off the reel with a simple flip of a lever above the internal brake dial. Shimano even provides access to the main gear via a removable plate on the back side of the gear housing should you feel the need to lube or simply inspect the gear.

This angle shows you just how much that top bar is dropped

There's a removable cover on the back side of the gear housing granting you access to the main gear for inspection and lubrication

Price & Applications: Retail price on the 2020, 100 sized Calcutta Conquest from Japan is 67,000 JPY. This equates to $628 given the conversion rate at the moment I'm writing this article (1 USD = 106.647 JPY). Our friends over at JapanTackle currently list this reel at $560. I'm not sure retail price means the same thing in Japan as it does here or perhaps Shimano Japan does not use the minimum advertised price (MAP) program. Either way, $560 is certainly better than $628!

This new, 2020 Calcutta Conquest DC 101HG is a game changer

I enjoyed using these reels so much, appreciated the way the line came off their spools, and how comfortable they were to palm, I couldn't get enough! Those days of unbridled enthusiasm are long gone. I'm too conditioned, and admittedly even jaded at times. Once a product is written up, it's usually put away and I'm on to the next similar item. But as I am finishing up this article, I find myself wanting to string up this reel, tie on a casting plug, and cast it in my street again. I want to relive the moment of my very first cast with this reel. I'm sure the squirrel is still there.

The only question that remains for me about this reel is how many more shall I acquire

I've mentioned this in other reviews, but Shimano's MGL tuning really resonates with the way I cast. It takes such little effort to achieve perfect presentations. I thought it was the SVS Infinity brakes paired with that magnumlite spool. But now, combined with their digital cast control tech in this new, super ergonomically friendly round reel profile, the stakes have been raised. The only question that remains is how many more shall I acquire? In the words of the original lord of darkness, "I sense something, a presence I've not felt since..."

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