Title

The Eminence in Shadow

Also known as: Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!, 陰の実力者になりたくて！, To Be a Power in the Shadows!, ชีวิตไม่ต้องเด่น ขอแค่เป็นเทพในเงา, 我想成為影之強者！, 어둠의 실력자가 되고 싶어서!, Chúa tể bóng tối, 想要成為影之實力者！

by Anri Sakano, Daisuke Aizawa

Score from AniList: 80/100Community pick · Won the Discord monthly pollreleasing

ActionComedyFantasy

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One big fat lie and a few twisted truths. Even in his past life, Cid's dream wasn't to become a protagonist or a final boss. He'd rather lie low as a minor character until it's prime time to reveal he's a mastermind...or at least, do the next best thing-pretend to be one! And now that he's been reborn into another world, he's ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the real deal-and everyone knows the truth but him! (Source: Yen Press)

Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3/5

A cheerfully over-the-top fantasy about a secret mastermind, with a fun premise that leans heavily on its own bravado.

Pros

A fun, unapologetic premise
Theatrical comedy with sharp timing
Lively action with a sense of spectacle

Cons

Bluff-and-reaction loops get repetitive
The lead's bravado can overshadow other characters

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Read the full take

The Eminence in Shadow is a fantasy comedy that knows exactly how ridiculous its premise is, and it has a lot of fun with it. Short version: a boy who believes he is a secret mastermind works behind the scenes, while everyone around him reads each move as deliberate. The comedy is theatrical, and the fun comes from the gap between what the lead thinks is happening and what the reader sees. The premise is built on dramatic irony, which keeps the early chapters energetic. The art is bold, and the action scenes have a lively sense of spectacle. The trade-off is repetition. Many chapters follow the same loop of bluff, misreading and triumph, and that rhythm can grow tiring. The lead's bravado also tends to overshadow the other characters. Still, the commitment to its joke is admirable. For readers who want a fun, over-the-top comedy with a clear hook, it is a reliable pick. Expect the formula to return often.