Great Pretender
Synopsis
A series of unfortunate events has led Makoto Edamura to adopt the life of crime—pickpocketing and scamming others for a living. However, after swindling a seemingly clueless tourist, Makoto discovers that he was the one tricked and, to make matters worse, that the police are now after him. While making his escape, he runs into the tourist once again, who turns out to be a fellow con man named Laurent Thierry, and ends up following him to Los Angeles. In an attempt to defend his self-proclaimed title of "Japan's Greatest Swindler," Makoto challenges his rival to determine the better scammer. Accepting the competition, Laurent drops them off outside a huge mansion and claims that their target will be the biggest mafia boss on the West Coast. As Makoto becomes increasingly involved with the cunning Laurent, his colorful associates, and the world of international high-stakes fraud, he soon realizes that he got more than what he bargained for as his self-declared skills are continually put to the test. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Great Pretender starts strong with its visual appeal and engaging heists, but many viewers find the ending and plot resolutions disappointing. The stylish presentation and initial character development are praised, but the later narrative choices and perceived plot holes lead to a divided audience. Ultimately, the consensus is that the show's potential is squandered by a weak final arc.
Strengths
- Visually stunning art and animation with unique color palettes.
- Engaging and amusing storylines with unexpected twists and turns.
- Delightful cast of characters with compelling backstories.
Weaknesses
- Final arc is often considered a major disappointment, with nonsensical plot twists.
- Plot holes and predictable outcomes diminish the sense of challenge and excitement.
- Character development, especially for the main character Edamura, is perceived as lacking.