Shout! Studios
Release Date: March 12, 2024
Freddie Mercury isn’t the only person who claims to be “The Great Pretender.” In Japan, there’s an anime simply titled Great Pretender, to which his estate approved the use of his song, and as for how both relate, perhaps fans of this Netflix series can find out when it is released to home video in North America! The series isn’t presented in its entirety on Netflix as far as I can tell.
And for those screaming, “I Want It All” (like a certain Queen song, than just Freddie), it’s here courtesy of Shout! Studios.
Each episode grouping follows a team in Los Angeles (episodes 1 to 5), Singapore (6 to 10), London (11 to 14), and Far East (15 to 23). And there’s even more adventures coming soon! Great Pretender: Razbliuto is scheduled for a 2024 release, and to get newcomers up to speed, this set could not be any more timelier!
From the Press Release:
Get ready to experience the ultimate con! From the renowned animation powerhouse WIT Studio (Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, Spy x Family) and director Hiro Kaburagi (91 Days, Kimi ni Todoke – From Me to You) comes the hit anime series, Great Pretender. Following the rule that people are willing to believe any convenient truth, the unlikely crew of con men will amaze viewers with their intricate and relentless con games aimed at all sorts of predators populating our society–from movie industry tycoons to shady art dealers and even organised crime honchos–who are only apparently unrelated.
Directed by Hiroshi Kaburagi, written by Ryota Kosawa (live-action Parasyte) and featuring the designs of anime legend Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL 2000), this character-driven comedic heist series blends the visual marvel of anime with suspenseful and smart narratives. Moreover, the anime series features the rousing theme song “The Great Pretender,” performed by the late legendary frontman (Mercury), and words and music by Buck Ram.
Hailed by anime enthusiasts for its highly entertaining storylines and nominated for Best Direction at the 48th annual Annie Awards, this Deluxe Edition arrives in select North American e-commerce stores on March 12, 2024 in limited quantities from Anime Limited, distributed by Shout! Studios. This highly anticipated 5-Disc Blu-ray collection comes housed in a visually striking slipcase and collects all 23 thrilling episodes, insightful bonus features, 10 stunning art cards, a double-sided poster, and a 192-page art book! This Deluxe Edition is available for pre-order now at Shoutfactory.com and select participating outlets (this article will update as soon as a listing on Amazon if it becomes available there).
GREAT PRETENDER | Series Overview
Self-styled “Japan’s greatest swindler” Makoto Edamura is mainly targeting elder people and occasional foreign travellers. But when he tries to scam an apparently clueless French tourist in Tokyo, he can’t possibly imagine that what looked like just another ordinary job is going to take him all the way to Los Angeles, tied upside-down on the famous Hollywood sign… And he is yet to find out what fate awaits him!
Bonus Content includes:
- Series presentation in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and English dub.
- Ad Spoiler-filled Exposition Contest with SD Characters (approx 26’)
- Textless Opening Sequence
- Textless Ending Sequence
- Teaser (15’’, 30’’, 76’’)
- Trailer Collection
- “Someday ft. Emarie” Music Video
- Freddie Mercury “The Great Pretender” Special Music Video
- 192-page art book
- A series of 10 art cards
- Double-sided mini-poster