Great Pretender

Great Pretender centers on Makoto Edamura, a sharp tongued con artist who proclaims himself Japan's best swindler. His latest scheme targets a legendary international thief, Laurent Thierry, which promises a quick score and easy glory. But Thierry's own mastery of deception pulls Edamura into a complicated game that he's not prepared for. What follows is a globe trotting series of cons that flip between bright comedy and tense drama as misdirection, trust, and identity blur the lines between winner and prey. The show thrives on clever setups, stylish animation, and a playful sense of mischief rather than straightforward revenge plots.

Directed by Hiro Kaburagi, Great Pretender premiered in 2020 on Netflix as a Wit Studio production. It's based on an original concept, with a diverse voice cast led by Yuka Komatsu as Dorothy, Shunsuke Takeuchi as Jay, Yasuhiro Mamiya as Ai, Kazuyuki Okitsu as Lin and Yasuyuki Kase as Wan.

The show stands out for its vivid animation and globe trotting con aesthetics, moving away from typical chase plots to focus on mood, character swaps, and clever camera tricks. It has sparked discussion about manipulation and trust in modern media.

Critics generally praise its stylish approach and sharp writing that balances humor with darker moments. Core themes include identity and deception, personal growth through deception, and the ethics of taking advantage of others, all wrapped in an episodic, case-by-case structure.