Great Pretender (2020)
A globe-trotting anime con-artist thriller where Japan's self-styled greatest swindler discovers he's far from the cleverest crook in the room.
Great Pretender - Series Information
- Original Title: GREAT PRETENDER
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama, Comedy, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 27
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: English, Mandarin, French, Japanese
- First Air Date: July 9, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), July 9, 2020 (Germany - 16), July 9, 2020 (France - 16), July 9, 2020 (India - A), July 9, 2020 (Australia - MA 15+), July 9, 2020 (Brazil - 16), July 9, 2020 (Spain - 16), July 9, 2020 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Fuji TV, DMM TV
- Alternative Titles: El timador timado (ES), グレートプリテンダー (JP), Great Pretender (US), Великий самозванец (RU)
- Production Companies: WIT STUDIO, BS Fuji, Fuji Television Network, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Production I.G, TOHO
- Production Countries: Japan
Great Pretender - Plot
Supposedly Japan's greatest swindler, Makoto Edamura gets more than he bargained for when he tries to con Laurent Thierry, a real world-class crook.
Great Pretender - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the stylish world of international cons come to life:
Where to Watch Great Pretender
Looking for where to watch Great Pretender?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Great Pretender - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Chiaki Kobayashi
- Junichi Suwabe
- Mie Sonozaki
- Natsumi Fujiwara
- Taito Ban
- Yohei Tadano
- Kujira
- Yuki Ominami
- Wataru Komada
- Yuka Komatsu
Writers
- Ryota Kosawa
Executive Producers
- Keiji Ota
- Yukiko Takase
- Ryu Utsui
- Hitoshi Ito
- Akio Nomura
Great Pretender - FAQs
Where can you stream Great Pretender online?
Great Pretender is available to stream on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. It is one of the standout anime titles on the platform, praised for its vibrant visuals and globe-trotting heist storylines. Check JustWatch to confirm availability in your region.
Is Great Pretender based on a true story?
Great Pretender is not based on a true story. It is an original anime series created for Fuji TV, written by Ryota Kosawa and animated by WIT STUDIO. The con-artist storylines and globe-trotting capers are entirely fictional, though they draw inspiration from classic heist film conventions.
How many seasons does Great Pretender have?
Great Pretender has 2 main seasons plus a specials collection. Season 1 contains 23 episodes, while Season 2 — subtitled 'razbliuto' — consists of 4 episodes. There is also 1 special episode, bringing the total episode count across all seasons to 27.
Is Great Pretender worth watching for anime fans?
Great Pretender is widely regarded as a must-watch for anime fans who enjoy stylish, character-driven stories. Critics praised its vibrant art style inspired by French animation, sharp writing, multilingual cast, and globe-trotting con-artist plots that blend comedy, drama, and action into an entertaining package.
Who are the main voice actors in Great Pretender?
The main voice cast includes Chiaki Kobayashi as Makoto 'Edamame' Edamura and Junichi Suwabe as the suave Laurent Thierry. They are joined by Mie Sonozaki as Cynthia Moore and Natsumi Fujiwara as Abigail 'Abbie' Jones, forming the core ensemble of the show's international con-artist crew.
What is Great Pretender about?
Great Pretender follows Makoto Edamura, who fancies himself Japan's greatest swindler, until he attempts to con Laurent Thierry — a genuinely world-class fraudster. Outmatched and pulled into a globe-spanning criminal underworld, Edamura must adapt fast. The series blends heist thrills, sharp humor, and emotional depth across multiple international story arcs.
What is the content rating for Great Pretender?
Great Pretender is rated TV-MA in the United States, making it intended for mature audiences. The series contains adult themes including fraud, organized crime, violence, and nudity. Viewers in other regions may encounter equivalent local ratings such as 16 in Germany, France, Brazil, and Spain, or MA 15+ in Australia.
What animation studio produced Great Pretender?
Great Pretender was produced by WIT STUDIO in collaboration with Production I.G, with Fuji TV and BS Fuji as broadcast partners. WIT STUDIO is renowned for high-quality anime productions, and Great Pretender showcases their signature attention to fluid animation and bold, expressive visual design.
More About Great Pretender
Explore further details about Great Pretender on these authoritative databases: