The Great Pretender: Is It Worth Watching in 2026?
Our verdict — 8.3/10, worth watching
TL;DR — Wit Studio's original anime, directed by Hiro Kaburagi, follows a small-time Japanese con artist recruited into an elite international crew running elaborate cons across multiple continents. Structured as distinct, self-contained case arcs, its Los Angeles opener is widely considered the show's strongest, with later arcs more divisive as the twists escalate further from the original's grounded cleverness.
Get anime picks based on this article
Want stylish, globe-trotting cons with real cleverness? Skip the guide and jump straight to picks built for that.
Get anime picksTell us your mood. We'll do the picking.
8 quick questions. Real anime picks from real catalogs — not ads. Free, no sign-up.
Take the quizKey takeaways
- Wit Studio's original anime, directed by Hiro Kaburagi, follows a small-time Japanese con artist recruited into an elite international crew running elaborate cons across multiple continents.
- Structured as distinct, self-contained case arcs, its Los Angeles opener is widely considered the show's strongest, with later arcs more divisive as the twists escalate further from the original's grounded cleverness.
The premise, and its distinctive case-by-case structure
Makoto Edamura, a proud but small-time Japanese swindler, gets pulled into a job by Laurent Thierry, a mysterious operator running a crew of elite international con artists, and the show is structured as a series of distinct, self-contained cases across different countries, Los Angeles, Singapore, London, rather than one continuous plot, giving each arc real room to build its own specific con from setup to reveal.
Why the Los Angeles opening arc gets singled out
The show's first case, targeting a Hollywood film producer, is widely cited by fans and critics as its tightest and most satisfying, establishing the crew's dynamic and the show's specific brand of stylish, jazz-scored misdirection with real precision before the story expands its scope.
Where later arcs get more divisive
Be honest about this: as the show progresses into arcs like the "Wizard of Far East" and the finale's "Snow World" sequence, the cons and twists escalate into territory some longtime fans find less grounded and more far-fetched than the show's stronger opening, trading some of its earlier precision for bigger, more sprawling stakes.
What stays consistently strong throughout
Regardless of arc quality, the show's specific visual style, saturated color grading, a propulsive jazz and swing-influenced soundtrack, and Edamura's own reliable comic exasperation at his new crewmates, remain consistent strengths across all four arcs, which keeps even the weaker stretches watchable.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Great Pretender based on a manga? No, it's an original anime from Wit Studio, directed by Hiro Kaburagi, not adapted from existing manga or novel source material.
Is the show structured as one continuous story? No, it's structured as distinct, self-contained case arcs set in different countries, each building its own specific con from setup to reveal.
Which arc is generally considered the strongest? The opening Los Angeles arc, widely cited by fans and critics for its tight, precise construction before the show's scope expands further.
Do the later arcs hold up as well as the opening? More divisively — arcs like "Wizard of Far East" and the "Snow World" finale lean into bigger, more far-fetched twists that some longtime fans find less grounded than the opener.
What stays consistently good throughout the show? Its distinctive visual style, jazz-influenced soundtrack, and Edamura's reliable comic exasperation remain strong across all four arcs regardless of individual case quality.
How many episodes is the show? 23 episodes across four distinct arcs spanning multiple continents.
Want a match for your specific mood right now?
Our anime recommendation quiz can help you find something built for exactly how you're feeling.