Great Pretender

Inside the High-Stakes World of Great Pretender (2020): A Con Artist’s Dream Team

The anime series Great Pretender (2020) didn’t just swindle its fictional marks—it also pulled off a slick production heist, blending Wit Studio’s signature animation with a globe-trotting narrative that left fans hooked. But behind the glitz of its cons and lavish international backdrops, the show’s creation was its own kind of calculated gamble. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know (and what’s still under wraps) about the series that turned scams into art.

A Studio’s Bold Bet on Original Storytelling

Wit Studio, the powerhouse behind Attack on Titan’s early seasons, took a sharp turn with Great Pretender—its first original anime series not based on existing manga or light novels. Director Hiro Kaburagi and writer Ryōta Kosawa crafted a story from scratch, structuring it into self-contained "cases" that unfolded like a high-end heist anthology . The first arc, Los Angeles Connection, dropped on Netflix Japan in June 2020, a full month before its TV premiere on Fuji TV’s +Ultra block . This dual-release strategy was a calculated play: Netflix’s global reach ensured buzz, while the TV debut cemented its credibility in Japan.

The gamble paid off. Great Pretender’s originality stood out in an anime landscape dominated by adaptations, and its episodic format made it binge-friendly. But original anime is notoriously risky—production costs soar without a built-in fanbase. Wit Studio’s reputation likely helped secure funding, but the lack of behind-the-scenes leaks about budget overruns or creative clashes suggests the team delivered on time and on vision .

The Cast: Voice Actors Who Played Their Roles Like a Con

The series’ Japanese voice cast reads like a who’s who of anime talent, but their performances were anything but typical. Chiaki Kobayashi (Makoto Edamura) and Jun’ichi Suwabe (Laurent Thierry) anchored the show with a chemistry that sold the duo’s mentor-mentee dynamic—even as their characters constantly betrayed each other . Kobayashi, known for his energetic roles, dialed back the volume to play Makoto’s awkward, small-time hustler, while Suwabe leaned into Laurent’s suave, manipulative charm .

The supporting cast was equally stacked:

• Natsumi Fujiwara as Abigail Jones, the no-nonsense hacker with a hidden soft spot .
• Wolf Williams as the flamboyant art dealer James Coleman, whose voice work added layers to a character who could’ve been a caricature .
• Yuka Komatsu and Mariya Ise, whose roles (per the catalog) remain under-discussed in available snippets, but their inclusion hints at the series’ commitment to a diverse ensemble [catalog].

What’s missing? Any record of recording sessions or cast interviews. Unlike Western productions, Japanese anime often keeps voice actor antics behind closed doors, so we don’t know if Kobayashi and Suwabe improvised their characters’ rapid-fire banter or if the studio demanded strict adherence to the script .

The Soundtrack: A Heist in Musical Form

Music was a silent partner in Great Pretender’s cons. The original soundtrack, composed by Yutaka Yamada (Vinland Saga, Tokyo Ghoul), blended jazz, orchestral swells, and electronic beats to mirror the series’ shifting tones—from playful capers to high-stakes betrayals . The OST’s 7.6/10 rating on SensCritique (based on 8 votes) suggests it resonated with fans, though it never achieved the viral fame of, say, Cowboy Bebop’s jazz .

Notable tracks like "The Great Pretender" (a nod to the Platters’ 1955 hit, though the series’ title is coincidental) played during key moments, reinforcing the theme of deception . But here’s the catch: the snippets don’t confirm if Yamada worked closely with Kaburagi to time the music to specific scenes, or if the soundtrack was an afterthought. Given Wit Studio’s attention to detail, the former seems likely—but without interviews or production notes, it’s speculation .

The Netflix Effect: Global Rollout or Missed Opportunity?

Great Pretender’s Netflix release was a double-edged sword. The platform’s algorithm boosted its visibility, but the lack of a simultaneous global debut meant international fans had to wait. The first three cases (Los Angeles Connection, Singapore Sky, and Snow of London) dropped in Japan in June 2020, with the final arc (Wizard of Far East) following in August . Netflix’s staggered rollout for other regions (e.g., the U.S. got all episodes in November 2020) frustrated some fans, but the delay may have been strategic—building hype through word-of-mouth .

The series’ trailer, clocking in at under two minutes, teased the show’s visual flair but left the plot’s twists vague . This was a smart move: Great Pretender thrives on surprises, and spoiling its cons would’ve undercut its appeal. Still, the trailer’s lack of cast interviews or behind-the-scenes footage suggests Netflix prioritized mystery over marketing—perhaps to avoid overshadowing the story itself .

**Unanswered Questions: The Gaps in Great Pretender’s Story**

For all its polish, Great Pretender’s production remains shrouded in mystery. Key unknowns:

• Budget: Original anime can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 per episode. Wit Studio’s involvement hints at a mid-to-high range, but no figures are public .
• Inspirations: The snippets don’t reveal if Kaburagi or Kosawa drew from real-life con artists or heist films like Ocean’s Eleven. The series’ tone suggests they did, but without interviews, it’s guesswork .
• Sequel Plans: The 2024 date in some sources likely refers to Netflix’s re-releases or licensing updates, not new episodes. Rumors of a second season have circulated, but nothing’s confirmed.