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What did you think of this episode?
5Loved it!
51.6%
412
4Liked it!
31.6%
252
3It was OK
10.8%
86
2Disliked it
4.0%
32
1Hated it
2.0%
16
Average 4.3
798 votes
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Jun 1, 2020 8:57 AM
#1

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Apr 2014
4400
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
----------------------------------------
Episode 1-5 is out now on Japan Netflix.

Woah so this is the power of Wit Studio when they get to work on their own series. What an explosive first episode. So much going on and a great start to whats coming. I am glad they gave us enough information to what the plot might be rather than be a sakugafest that i feared.
Jun 1, 2020 9:25 AM
#2
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Mar 2019
118
Is it really good? Because the score frightens me

Or is it due to people who are mad that WIT is not adapting AoT Final Season?
Jun 1, 2020 9:28 AM
#3

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Jul 2017
335
Really enjoying it so far and the opening is great, reminds me of Lupin or Cowboy Bebop. Though hopefully some sub group picks it up because we won't be getting official subs for a few months due to the whole Netflix jail.

Blue_Flame18 said:
Is it really good? Because the score frightens me

Or is it due to people who are mad that WIT is not adapting AoT Final Season?


The current score was the result of a brigade, ignore it. As for the show I've only just started watching the first episode but the visuals and feel are top notch. The setting is fresh too as the story takes place in Los Angeles. So far I'm really liking it.
Jun 1, 2020 2:23 PM
#4

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Dec 2017
1847
the cast, designs, backgrounds, all seems pretty interesting so far. my only concern is how the story will be structured. since they plan on releasing 5 eps batches a week, it's probably gonna be a case every 5 eps, which sounds like enough time to develop a solid case but will they be interesting enough
Jun 2, 2020 1:37 AM
#5

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Jul 2014
638
Blue_Flame18 said:
Is it really good? Because the score frightens me

Or is it due to people who are mad that WIT is not adapting AoT Final Season?


It's because the latter, the first episode not that awesome but decent nonetheless, surely nowhere near the level of the current rating, just go check the stat and you can see how crazy people vote it to 1.
Jun 2, 2020 6:48 AM
#6
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Aug 2019
65
KoyomiShinobu said:
Is it eng subbed on jp netlfix?



i really need to know too
Jun 2, 2020 7:05 AM
#7
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Sep 2019
250
Ok so found the 1st episode.
No subs but still.
It was great.
The animation looks unique and different
Some fun funny scenes music was fire throughout the whole episode.
Cant wait to watch it subbed
Jun 2, 2020 8:32 AM
#8

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Aug 2015
1544
I haven´t seen it but holy fuck, just having a Freddie Mercury song as an ending is enough to check it out ( I was still going to, but anyways)

Btw SNK fandom is the worst, only being below FMAB and MhA
Jun 3, 2020 3:16 AM
#9

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Mar 2018
37
The intro reminds me of Cowboy Bebop, and the ending it's from Queen, wich is perfect. That "edamame" guy got tricked like a child, thugh he deserves it for self-proclaiming Japan's best schemer.
A detective who uses his deductive powers to corner a suspect and then does nothing to stop them from committing suicide is no better than a murderer himself

- Kudo Shinichi
Jun 4, 2020 4:57 AM

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Feb 2017
2710
Off to a good start. This was a good introductory episode. I had fun throughout. Art is really good, especially backgrounds. Use of Freddie Mercury's "The Great Pretender" for the ED was a great choice, coupled with the visuals ending is really comfy.

Turns out Laurent is a real pro and only goes for big fish. Edamura has a lot more to learn lol.
Jun 4, 2020 5:01 AM

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Sep 2017
375
The visuals are amazing and the story seems interesting enough , excited to see more !
AOTS?
yikes
Jun 4, 2020 5:02 AM

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Jul 2017
6750
Great Pretender's first episode felt like an inferior version of Lupin, which I wouldn't say is an insult since Lupin really has a special eccentricity about it.

The actual episode itself felt like buildup only and wasn't really hitting me with its comedy and the other plot elements happening, but I was fairly impressed with its visuals, especially the aesthetics they used for portraying its backgrounds and scenery rather than just going realistic with backgrounds for LA. It's only a small part for this overall picture so I'll be forgiving with its plot development for this premiere.

Characters were fine, nothing special so far but not too bad either.

Music was pretty good. It can get REALLY heavy on me and annoying at times with its big drops, but for the most part, it was nice. Fits the show somewhat so fair play.

The opening wasn't too great for me. I admire the visuals, and even admire for a different approach with the song unlike what you find in most anime nowadays, but it just feels like a shitty, annoying version of a Lupin opening song for me. It gets annoying especially near the end of the track sadly for me.

However, the ending song I can absolutely fuck with. I have been a major, major fan of Freddie Mercury and Queen's music since I was very young so seeing the Freddie version of 'The Great Pretender' used made me seriously happy, and it really did fit this show. The Platters version for it is also good but I prefer this more bombastic version for a more eccentric show like this. Amazing song choice. Reminded me of when Ergo Proxy got Paranoid Android by Radiohead for their ending song, which also was a perfect fit.

Overall, a fine episode. It has a lot of work to do with building its cast to be more interesting and needs to work on the comedy too but the potential is definitely there. It felt way, way better than when Fugou Keiji aired its first 2 episodes but still feels inferior to other stuff like Lupin III, Durarara, Black Lagoon, Baccano, etc from its premiere alone.
Jun 4, 2020 6:31 AM

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Feb 2018
430
Strange episode for me. Great animation, music and directing, but plot feels weird a bit. Some moments (LA flight or first drug usage) made me WTF, final twist wasn't epic too.

Hope that the next episodes will improve it.
Jun 4, 2020 6:51 AM

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Oct 2019
504
Hope it will turn out to be great the 23 episodes run seem promising, Overall It was a pretty good introduction the visuals, characters and locations seem interesting enough.

Jun 4, 2020 7:04 AM

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Nov 2016
31878
Selling us drugs in form of some candy is such an anime thing lol.

Decent start. Style of the series and the characters are fun, especially like Abby, the dark tomboy.

One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron


Jun 4, 2020 7:36 AM

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Sep 2017
3139
What a funny first episode !

If it's like this the whole anime, I'm gonna enjoy it


That Freddy Mercury ending surprised me
Jun 4, 2020 7:55 AM
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Sep 2016
282
animejas said:
Great Pretender's first episode felt like an inferior version of Lupin

Yeah, I have been getting serious Lupin vibes from this since watching the trailer. The plot, the OST, the characters, the overall atmosphere -- everything reminds me of Lupin.
The first episode was a lot of fun! I'm kicking myself a little for not picking up the clues that led to the final twist though. But definitely looking forward to this. This anime is a breath of fresh air during these testing times.
Jun 4, 2020 8:02 AM

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Mar 2016
3075
Idk about this first impression. It looks hella nice and colorful with the animation style and quality. However, it feels like a retroactively downgraded version of Lupin III. I'm not saying it should have the exact same flair as the aforementioned franchise, but even the peaks of this episode feel quite meh. Many of the presented plot elements so far are just not as thrilling or exciting as they could've been. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now.

With this sort of showcase, it's hard to say whether or not this'll be good or not in the end. Sucks that Netflix lockup is being too much of a thing nowadays.
Jun 4, 2020 9:04 AM

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Jan 2009
101032
lol con artists that is not Lupin III? this is looking promising and Abigail is sexy hot welp not with her ahegao faces that is
Jun 4, 2020 10:32 AM
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Mar 2016
151
Am I the only one who enjoyed this anime so far? People seem to not like it as much or say it's an inferior version of Lupin, but I overall enjoyed and I haven't been this excited for an anime since Gangsta. Also should probably check out Lupin since most people are comparing it to that and I've been wanting to check it out.
Jun 4, 2020 11:30 AM

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Dec 2016
1349
animejas said:
Great Pretender's first episode felt like an inferior version of Lupin, which I wouldn't say is an insult since Lupin really has a special eccentricity about it.



I didn't even compare it to Lupin, but now that I think of it, for me Great Pretender was far better than part V or the episodes' I've watched of Part IV of Lupin. Lupin schemes get tiresome after a while with the expected staged deaths and bunch of unmasking a la scooby doo. Great Pretenders artstyle and animation is far superior in my perspective compared to Lupin's TV series. The direction seemed pretty clean introducing the characters and stating that Laurent is several steps ahead of Edamura, I had no problems following all the steps Laurent made to draft Emamura and setting an inside man so he could sell his overpriced drugs that are just pure candy. In Part V of Lupin I had to rewatch a few episodes to catch the messy storyboard in Albert's arc.
Jun 4, 2020 11:46 AM

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Jul 2017
335
The director cites Lupin as a direct inspiration for this show so people shouldn't be surprised at the similarities. As for being an "inferior version" of Lupin, yeah no I'm not seeing it. I love Lupin but I enjoyed these first five episodes far more than any Lupin show or movie I've watched over the past decade.
Jun 4, 2020 12:00 PM
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Sep 2015
6592
I knew instantly that Abby is just acting to get high, not because her acting is bad but because it's highly unlikely that the protagonist is selling drug which is portrayed in fiction as worse that murderer, you'll likely to see assasin protagonist than drug dealer protagonist.

I'm gonna guess this anime will take place all around the world, but they should get married while they're still in LA, LA provide same sex marriage.
Jun 4, 2020 12:07 PM

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Jul 2017
335
phantomfandom said:

I'm gonna guess this anime will take place all around the world, but they should get married while they're still in LA, LA provide same sex marriage.

What the hell are you talking about?
Jun 4, 2020 12:37 PM
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Sep 2018
855
I thought the whole intro of this anime was wacky af so we'll see how it goes. Liked the cowboy bebop like opening and of course, involving the greatest legend of all, Freddy Mercury.
Jun 4, 2020 3:14 PM

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Apr 2015
721
It was an okay start, but I will give it some time before I make a final judgement. The ED song is glorious, can't believe it is the legend himself, Freddie Mercury.

4/5
Jun 4, 2020 3:57 PM

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Jul 2017
14657
When a show has Lupin III aesthetics, it immediately draws to attention, and this show definitely is that, as for the inferiority...yeah, not apparent but fine. Otherwise, being in Netflix Japan jail (for anime) is a sin nowadays.

As for the content overall for first impressions, tricksters travelling "around the world in 80 days" style is compelling. Not sold on the tumultuous amount of characters and the setting yet, but only time will tell.

Music is a strong point, for the Cowboy Bebop-ish OP and the GOAT Freddie Mercury's rendition of "The Great Pretender". Even the BGM is indicative of the LA style (not sure whether we'll see country renditions).

Production fronts, this is Wit Studio at its most flex-est (since dropping AoT).

Fine start.
Jun 4, 2020 4:02 PM

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Apr 2009
775
This was pretty cool. Well, the girl starting to act crazy and running around like a ninja wasn't so cool, but overall it was pretty entertaining.

Hopefully the main character is not a stuck-up.

Jun 4, 2020 8:13 PM
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Jun 2017
2887
Just finished watching the 1st episode and i can say its a nice episode...
Jun 4, 2020 10:37 PM

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Jul 2017
1852
so much engrish its great XD
Jun 5, 2020 12:34 AM

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Jan 2016
160
Yo, what an episode. Everything that happened was basically pure genius, from the "top scammer of Japan" scamming in Japan, to him trying to scam in LA, to realizing he was being scammed from the very start. I will definitely keep watching this anime. Can't wait for the next 4 episodes to be translated.

Also, Freddie Mercury for to outro?? Didn't expect that but I love it.
Jun 5, 2020 12:42 AM

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Dec 2018
71
EVERYTHING (and I do mean everything about this episode) was utterly, incredibly, and most unexpectedly FANTASTIC!

That opening a la Catch me if you can (and the fact they name-dropped Leo afterwards)!
The fantastic visuals of the ending (plus Freddie's silky vocals, which is something I never thought I'd hear from an anime)!
The blood-pumping energy of the action (and the fluidity of the animation)!
The jokes!
The waifus!
The misdirections!

(and not to mention, the fantastic use of accents in four different languages)!!!

I thought I'd ever find an anime that compelled me quite as muh as Acca 13 once did, but I am extremely pleased to say I was absolutely wrong, even if these two shows are not one bit alike (except for how they both ooze style)!

Now this, this was a most welcome surprise!
jimfaindelJun 6, 2020 5:07 AM
If I could be an expert in just one arcane,
and madness inducing field of study,
it would be you.
Jun 5, 2020 12:58 AM
Trickster

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Jun 2011
2105
An enjoyable first episode. So from the very beginning, Edamura was set up. But why though? Was Laurent scouting someone he could take under his wing? Or was having Edamura tag along not part of his plan? Clearly this guy knows exactly what he's doing and plans 5 steps ahead. I'm curious to see what exactly he has planned.

Edamura himself seems a bit cocky at first, but by the end of the episode his world was literally turned upside down by someone far more experienced than him.

The visuals were a delight, and having the legendary Yoshiyuki Sadamoto do the character designs is perfect. Abby's design is clearly Sadamoto's style, and I absolutely love it.

Speaking of Abby, I love me some sun-kissed tomboy. Can't blame Edamura for taking interest either.

Overall I had fun, and I'm interested to see exactly where this goes.
Jun 5, 2020 4:24 AM
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Nov 2016
20
Pakumen- said:
I haven´t seen it but holy fuck, just having a Freddie Mercury song as an ending is enough to check it out ( I was still going to, but anyways)

Btw SNK fandom is the worst, only being below FMAB and MhA


They're just a bunch of edgy childish fans, they don't know how the industry works
Given the soundtracks i know this will be the next great WIT studio's works
Jun 5, 2020 4:27 AM

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Aug 2018
5195
Does anyone know what the release schedule while be like for this?
_______I like rocks__
Jun 5, 2020 7:46 AM

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Mar 2018
252
Can anyone suggest an anime or manga series similar to this?
other that the legendary Kurosagi
Jun 5, 2020 9:41 AM

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Jul 2017
335
mneav3 said:
Can anyone suggest an anime or manga series similar to this?
other that the legendary Kurosagi

Check out the Lupin series if you haven't already.
Jun 5, 2020 10:52 AM

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May 2018
2190
Man this ain't bad after all..................................................................
Jun 5, 2020 12:18 PM

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Mar 2016
1723
I like the art, and the protagonist is extremely cute. The story and the characters, however, were not very interesting.
Jun 5, 2020 1:40 PM

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Oct 2013
769
Love the Sadamoto character designs.
Looks like this will be a fun ride, Lupin the III vibes.
Jun 5, 2020 3:48 PM
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Apr 2016
682
Could someone try to explain to me what was the deal with those watches? Everyone who had them was cooperating with Edamura and selling drugs?
Jun 5, 2020 6:56 PM

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Sep 2018
36
JanPri said:
Could someone try to explain to me what was the deal with those watches? Everyone who had them was cooperating with Edamura and selling drugs?


I think everyone with watches worked with edamura's partner (forgot his name). They essentially scammed him out of his money. The old lady was able to get the money from him, and the house she was in wasn't even hers. Then the fake detectives served to get edamura out of the house, allowing his partner to take the money.

Laurent may have also been working with the guy to get edamura to LA so that he could be used for the fake drug deal, which is why he is also wearing a watch.

That last part might be bit far fetched, but that's roughly my understanding of what happened
Oh You Say It's Declined ? 😬😬 Huh ? 😠😑 You Say It Was Declined ? 😠😠😑😑Aight, Shit πŸ˜”πŸ˜” Well Try My MasterCard , Bro πŸ’³πŸ’³ Yeah Yeah Yeah I Got Money On My MasterCard Fo sho πŸ˜ŸπŸ˜…πŸ’³
Jun 6, 2020 7:51 AM

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Oct 2017
27118
What an wild and amusing premise this was. I'm already intrigued with this show. Animation and character design was amazing and the ladies were hot, already took a liking to Abby.

Lol the cons in this anime are just too much.
Jun 6, 2020 8:03 AM
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Dec 2019
29
Just finished Jojo Part 5 yesterday, today I'm starting this. The mafia shows just don't stop.
Jun 6, 2020 4:35 PM
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Mar 2019
118
The art portrayed in this anime doesn't really feel like something produced by WIT Studio. Nontheless, this anime is pretty interesting and has pretty good animation which was honestly unexpected and the story seems intriguing

Hope more people watch it, especially it being in Netflix jail
Jun 7, 2020 9:17 PM
The Komori

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Mar 2013
7435
This episode was on some Ocean's 11-13 type of shit and I'm here for ALL OF THIS

My goodness I thoroughly enjoyed this
Jun 8, 2020 9:49 AM

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Dec 2015
1557
Suprised how great the direction was in this episode. Smiled from beginning to end. Like someone said above, this is the power of WIT studios when they can work on their own (and consequently profit from it). I'm still a bit skeptical if the story will be actually good, because even watching this episode I barely know what the story will be about, but it certainly has potential to be one of the highlights of 2020.

Although watching this (and Dorohedoro) really makes me a bit sad about the studio change with SNK. It's pretty clear that what MAPPA will do won't be as good as what we had with WIT. All I can do is hope that it will have good animation and the story manage to be so enganging and immersive that we barely notice anything wrong with the production.
Jun 10, 2020 4:59 AM

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Jun 2019
6584
As for the first episode. I really enjoyed this. Really liked the Wit Studio doing their sh*t on this anime. I'm really lookin' forward to this anime to be a great success.
I love everything about this so far WTF...
Jun 11, 2020 6:22 AM

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Oct 2016
4494
Holy shit, that was an awesome first episode Edamura got played like a damn fiddle and so was I. Overall really enjoying this.
Jun 11, 2020 4:52 PM
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Aug 2018
1
Can anyone explain to me why the main protagonist freaked out when hebsaw the watches? Feel like I missed the twist.
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