Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! #17

Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!, or The Eminence in Shadow, originated as a light novel series written by Daisuke Aizawa and illustrated by Tozai, debuting online in 2018. The series serves as a satirical take on the isekai genre, centered on Cid Kagenou, a protagonist who obsessively cultivates a secret identity as a puppet master. Issue 17 of the manga adaptation, illustrated by Anri Sakano, continues the visual interpretation of this comedic narrative, which has gained significant traction for its subversion of traditional power-fantasy tropes.

The manga adaptation began serialization in Kadokawa's Comp Ace magazine in 2018. Anri Sakano’s character designs lean into the dramatic, dark aesthetic required to reflect the protagonist's delusions, balancing the series' moments of high-stakes action with its self-aware humor. The release of volume 17 represents the ongoing expansion of this multimedia franchise, which has evolved from web-based roots into a widely recognized series featuring both print media and an anime adaptation.