These Greek letters never really were useful until I found these character. You can memorize those by their shape by the way - it's much easier to do so.

Alright so, before I begin with any viable premise to write upon regarding this show, please listen to me for a while as I will ask you a question pertaining to the review: Is a show about another world tends to be overly appreciated? The thematical narrative, as it's ventured deeper into the oblivion, appears to be soothing in the eye of others. However, when it comes to fantasy for the sake of fantasy, it is undeniable whereas the character developments may grow out to be tedious, the world-building is a behold to experience within and throughout its finest details, not to mention the imaginative element that acts as one of crucial aspects that are thought to be the soul of a show. Yet still, all things considered, a show that is related to another world instead of pure-fantasy appears to be much more appealing as a premise, especially when it's understood that the main character was transferred to another world.

And here is the thing that never changed: It gets too many tropes and seems to rely on fans service much more.

However, when you watch a certain specific show about another world that doesn't follow such a premise above, it is easy to get bewildered. Therefore, my answer is no. An isekai show that gets overrated simply is carried on by other unnecessary element aspects and not the plot, while I would also argue there also were ones that least mentioned by others despite being a show about fantasy in another world. In other words, not every so-called "isekai" anime is overrated. Rather, they are misunderstood as a masterpiece when it's not.

So, why did I tell you about all of these? I simply wanted to challenge the perception about isekai according to others despite being the hater myself, or rather that I used to hate it with a passion. And for me, they used to deserve it. But now, instead of hating, I didn't become a titan just like Eren, but rather that I took a more neutral perspective to consider the objectives for each show, regardless the given promise. Still, fortunately, Eminence in Shadow (also known as Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritai!) saved me from hating it.

First of all, I didn't get the hype. The first time I heard about it being mentioned was when my friend kin-assigned me as the main character (yes, him. who else?) a.k.a the role-player protagonist who pretends to be this figurant NPC that has nothing to do with the story. At first I didn't understand why, Cid Kagenou, out all of main characters was assigned as me... but now, comes to think about, I... AM... ATOMIC. Alright, just kidding. Let's get into the review shall we.

Well, before I begin... have you ever been getting tired of an isekai... no, any anime with shounen-esque aspect? Or even more, have you ever wanted to shit on any of these big three... whether it's isekai or not, then claimed to find a much better and compelling show with an actual story and world-building, except it was made fun of? This Konosuba-Overlord combo of anime would definitely become the answer to all of your questions.

Why both? Well, Konosuba because it's funny as fuck with some characters were being useless jokes while Overlord MC was also hilarious as fuck except with more intriguing luck aspect that you didn't even know why it got there. And Eminence in Shadow offered both premise, all at once. In other words, it's a semi-serious show which gives you a Gintama... no, Jojo. Actually nah, Deadpool is more fitting considering the protagonist himself, Cid Kagenou, is self-conscious about being this protagonist, villain, hero, anti-hero, figurant, and sidekick every single time he takes up the role. However, he used to be this usual NPC with no attractive impression nor appearance while his presence was malevolently undetected by a lot others except when he played piano, so there was that. He used to be motivated by shadowbrokers, those people who worked behind the scene while hiding their true potential and power in public, something that he has been admired to symbolize his ideal role - becoming the shadow himself, and possibly the most powerful one. And to do so, he would follow these so-called isekai/shounen tropes, only to mock, satirize, and make fun of it in a way that it becomes a meta-perespective on its own.

No, hold on. Don't think the show will be boring because, as I said before, it follows Overlord template (lol). The luck aspect was made by pure coincidence however, unlike Ainz Oan Gowl, he has intelligence and wittiness, hence why Kazuma was mentioned,

So, is it just about hiding your power shit with no true development? Of course not. His followers, they are no NPC who just keeps following his tail wherever he goes, which creates an intriguing conflict between one and another. Not to mention these "heroines" that were declared by Cid, all of them have great character developments, from Alexia to Iris, then Sherry to Rose, each of character plays a very crucial role that contributes perfectly to the story. Not only that, Cid himself wasn't without any hassle. He had to plan everything perfectly but even then, still, some plot holes were missing with some of the most mind-blowing twists you never saw it coming. And I really ensure you that you will never get bored of watching this show over and over again. In every episode, there will always be a crucial development with the climax being Episode 12:

Spoiler, click to view

So, a lot of shit happened here, and it's honestly mind-blowing. I honestly would expect a really decent progress when it comes to story development, but it really broke me when I saw the world-building aspect was created, conjuring the heroes that lived into the past, not to mention its perfect alignment with both mystery and fantasy aspect. All of things that were mentioned before this episode suddenly got rather bizzare and convoluted, with the most mysterious scene being Aurora's claim that she was the one who called Cid himself, which further implies that the mystery isn't even over yet!

The plot also was powerful and very compelling. I couldn't describe it with words to begin with but the use of fourth wall here was exploited in a manner that Cid made it disappear, making us getting closer to him as a character and how relatable he is to others, and openly admitted it so to be this wannabe-edgelord, mix of Ayanokouji and Lelouch, to attain the role as the embodiment of shadow. And not only that, there exists 5th and 6th wall as well. And if you want to know it, you should watch the anime. Also, I hate to admit this, but fans service here was meant to be a crucial plot, which gives you this DxD-esque feeling, except everything seems elegant, covert, and neatly designed to mold with the plot as its device instead.

This isekai masterpiece also is by no means possible without the other aspects. Therefore, voice actors, songs, animation, and sound aspects once again played the crucial role for this show. Speaking of masterpiece, it's great that they put my most favourite classical composition into this: Moonlight Sonata No. 14 OP. 27 No. 2 - 1st Movement. And man, this guy, Cid, can really play piano, even make his own version of it:

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Hence why, by the time I finished Episode 1, I knew I must have finished this show. I thought I was going to drop it considering I might have made a premature conclusion all-things considered. However, this powerful scene simply hooked me up:

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Also, this great OP perfectly compliments it:

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Alright, enough with the music aspect. Apparently, the voice aspect wasn't complimented enough so I have to praise Cid's MC, Seichirou Yamashita, to make this shit intreresting. And not only him, everyone carried the show, even a supposedly minor character also contributed greatly to the voice. I would say the most interesting part was when Beta and Alexia or Epsilon had a heated argument, that's where the true aspect of voice actor shines. As for the visual aspect, the peak did happen during the final episode - you should watch it by yourself.

So, again, why should you watch this anime? Because it's peak enjoyment and exhilaration. With the main character isn't either boring nor annoying, everything fits according to the perfect recipe of an isekai protagonist - comedic but indifferent, pretentious but unasumming, edgy but compassionate. All of these contradictions make the show on itself interesting. However, not only just him, this story also tells about a fascinating world-building aspect filled with intrigues when it comes to mystery lore and mythological perspective that certainly brings you to like most if not all of characters with the villains here also were being so twisted and unexpected to the point you didn't even know who was who. In other words, it never misses. However, don't get your hope too high with a lot of hypes surrounded the show - simply expect nothing and you will further get bewildered more and more. Alright, that's all and thank you for reading this possibly most passionate review I have ever written by far.

If you enjoy this review, you may as well read the other I wrote here.