---
title: "Great Pretender"
year: 2020
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/great-pretender-2020"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 93816
imdb_id: "tt11680468"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 2
episodes_count: 27
runtime_minutes: 24
community_rating: 7.5
vote_count: 148
content_rating: "TV-MA"
---

# Great Pretender (2020) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/great-pretender-2020

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Great Pretender is a Japanese anime television series produced by Wit Studio. The series is directed by Hiro Kaburagi and written by Ryōta Kosawa. It was released on Netflix in Japan, with the first case, Los Angeles Connection, being made available in June 2020. The series follows the story of a con artist and his involvement in various scams and conspiracies. Makoto Edamura, supposedly Japan's greatest swindler, gets more than he bargained for when he tries to con Laurent Thierry, a real world-class crook. The series is stylized in all caps and consists of cases, with a total of two seasons available on Netflix. The show features the voice talents of Chiaki Kobayashi, Jun'ichi Suwabe, and Natsumi Fujiwara, among others. Great Pretender is classified as a TV-MA anime series, indicating mature audiences.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A Japanese conman finds himself outmatched after attempting to scam a world-class international rival."

### Why Watch
- engaging global heist narratives
- dynamic character interactions

### Caveats & Content Note
- complex plot developments
- Tone & Suitability: The series is rated TV-MA and features themes of deception and criminal activity.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: fast-paced, caper, stylish, international

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (23 Episodes)
### Season 2 (4 Episodes)
Great Pretender Season 2 continues the overarching saga across 4 episodes.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of Great Pretender Season 1.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 27
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 4 (15%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 23 (85%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Chiaki Kobayashi** as *Makoto 'Edamame' Edamura (voice)*
- **Junichi Suwabe** as *Laurent Thierry (voice)*
- **Mie Sonozaki** as *Cynthia Moore (voice)*
- **Natsumi Fujiwara** as *Abigail 'Abbie' Jones (voice)*
- **Taito Ban** as *Subordinate (voice)*
- **Yohei Tadano** as *Kudo (voice)*
- **Kujira** as *Kim Shi-won (voice)*
- **Yuki Ominami** as *Female TV Announcer (voice)*
- **Wataru Komada** as *Detective (voice)*
- **Yuka Komatsu** as *Dorothy (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is Great Pretender about?
It follows a Japanese conman who gets involved in global stings after crossing paths with a French rival.

### Q: Who produced the series?
The series was produced by Wit Studio.

### Q: How is the story structured?
The series is organized into segments referred to as cases.

### Q: Where can the series be viewed?
The series is available to watch on Netflix.

### Q: Who directed the show?
The series was directed by Hiro Kaburagi.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [GREAT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great)
- [Great Pretender (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pretender_(TV_series))
- [GREAT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/great)
- [Great Pretender (TV Series 2020-2024) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11680468/)
- [Great - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/great)
- [Watch Great Pretender | Netflix Official Site](https://www.netflix.com/title/81220435?fromWatch=true)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*