Beautiful art + Swindlers on the run = Perfection
By Anis Nadhirah
What happens when a simple pickpocket act turns to a full-out drug cartel busting scheme? A whole load of adventures from an international team of swindlers looking to dig up as much money possible.
The Great Pretender is a Japanese anime on Netflix that tells the tale of con people who come from different backgrounds. Makoto Edamura, a simple conman in Japan, encounters Laurent Thierry in a “trick the foreigner” plan where he hoped to get quick money off the unsuspecting man.
Little did he know, that was the beginning of a mess filled with twists and turns that sometimes seemed predictable but still gave you that adrenaline rush to find out whether or not they would succeed in their con.
From travelling to America and tricking a drug lord, to tricking an art appraiser in London. This animated series is split into 4 cases, all varying in length but still giving you that satisfaction of a complete story line.
Believe me when I say, The Great Pretender is that kind of show you need to set time aside for. The cliffhangers will leave you wanting more and you’ll eventually binge it without meaning to. You’ll fall for the main characters who are unique in their own way.
Makoto with his “wholesome” persona, Laurent as the “lovable bastard”, Abigail with her fierceless attitude and Cynthia’s unexpected charms will drag you in. Though, if I had to scream about one aspect in this entire series – it would be the art. From the character design to the landscape scenes, each frame is beautiful in its own way. It’s one of those series that I could watch without even caring about the plot because it just looks so appealing to the eyes.
How much would I recommend you to watch this crime comedy anime on a scale of 1 to 10? YES. Whether there are some aspects you may not like or you never thought of watching Japanese anime before, The Great Pretender is nevertheless a must-watch series on Netflix. Just don’t go planning fraudulent schemes to get money quick, it’s not worth it.