Supposedly Japan's greatest swindler, Makoto Edamura gets more than he bargained for when he tries to con Laurent Thierry, a real world-class crook.
The best episode of "Great Pretender" season 1 is "Case 1_1: Los Angeles Connection", rated 7.5/10 from 288 user votes. It was directed by Yoshino Shirahata, Hiro Kaburagi and written by Ryota Kosawa. "Case 1_1: Los Angeles Connection" aired on 7/9/2020 and is rated 0.0 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Case 1_2: Los Angeles Connection".
Makoto and his partner make their living conning the innocent. But when a simple scam on a tourist goes awry, he's soon out of his depth in Los Angeles.
Director: Yoshino Shirahata, Hiro Kaburagi
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Dangling from the Hollywood sign, Makoto recalls his path from salesman to a life of crime. Back on the ground, he learns more about "confidence men."
Director: Takashi Katagiri, Tetsuaki Matsuda
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Makoto tells Laurent how he got into Eddie's good graces, but keeping up the con isn't easy, and the LAPD is monitoring the situation closely.
Director: Tetsuaki Matsuda, Tomoko Hiramuki
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
With construction proceeding on the new lab, Makoto enjoys LA in the company of Eddie's enforcer, and Pola Dickens sets her sights on him.
Director: Ryoji Masuyama
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
The pressure is on as everyone watches Makoto make the first batch of Sakura Magic, but with Agent Dickens in his ear, things take a very serious turn.
Director: Yoshino Shirahata, Yukiko Imai
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Two years later, Makoto gets an honest job as a mechanic once he gets out, while Laurent and the crew reunite for a job in Las Vegas.
Director: Takatoshi Suzuki
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
The crew heads to Singapore to begin the con on the two princes and the fixed Path Finder Air Race, but Makoto has concerns about Abbie's mental state.
Director: Takashi Katagiri
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
When their first strategy fails, Laurent recruits some extra help, using Makoto's skills as a mechanic to deal with the stubborn elder prince.
Director: Yoshino Shirahata
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Not realizing who the bookies are, the greedy prince places a series of eye-popping wagers. Abbie's harrowing past begins to affect her focus.
Director: Tetsuaki Matsuda
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
With the air race finals on the horizon, all the pieces move into place. Makoto has a serious talk with each pilot before making a wager of his own.
Director: Katsushi Sakurabi
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Working as a sushi chef while living in France, Makoto attempts to plan a con without Laurent's help after a pompous Englishman terrorizes the locals.
Director: Yasuhiro Akamatsu
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
In London, Laurent and the team put their payback con against the "007 of the art world" into action. Cynthia reminisces about art and love.
Director: Yukiko Imai
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Makoto searches for Thomas, the art forger connected to Cynthia, to create a fake version of "Snow of London." Laurent and Abbie's plan continues.
Director: Mai Teshima
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Laurent's fake dark auction begins with outrageous prices. Among the bidders, Coleman and Cynthia vie over "Snow of London."
Director: Yoko Kanamori
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Determined to rebuild his life, Makoto parts ways with the team and returns to Japan. He lands a job, but doesn't know what he's gotten himself into.
Director: Ryoji Masuyama
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Cynthia and Shi-won arrive in Japan to start the con on Scarlet Company. Makoto and his boss accompany them to the UAE to witness a kidnapping.
Director: Yoshino Shirahata
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
A delegation from the Shanghai branch of the Suzaku Group arrives in Tokyo. Summoned to translate, Makoto realizes the interpreter looks familiar.
Director: Tetsuaki Matsuda
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Two months after the end of the con, Makoto still works for Akemi. One night he receives a visit from a man he thought he saw die in front of him.
Director: Yukiko Imai
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
A younger Laurent joins a group of con artists including Oz after unknowingly aiding them in Paris. As they travel around the world, he falls in love.
Director: Yujiro Abe
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
On their last job, the team passes Dorothy off as an Ethiopian princess and stages her kidnapping for the Shanghai group. Then it all goes wrong.
Director: Mai Teshima
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
The final phase of the con on the Shanghai group starts when Laurent returns to the city. The stakes are higher than ever, with no margin for error.
Director: Yoko Kanamori
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
Both sides prepare for a fateful meeting in Tokyo, with Laurent and Makoto acting as translators. Everything depends on Makoto's choice.
Director: Ryoji Masuyama, Takashi Katagiri
Writer: Ryota Kosawa
The Wizard of the Far East pulls off one final magic trick, and some people finally get what's coming to them.
Director: Hiro Kaburagi
Writer: Ryota Kosawa