To Be a Power in the Shadows! (WN)

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Just like how everyone adores heroes in their childhood, a certain boy adored those who hid in the shadows. One day, after living the mediocre life of a side character while undergoing frenzied training by night, he reincarnates in a different world and gains ultimate power. The young man who is only playing at being a secretive powerhouse, his misunderstanding subordinates, and a struggling, giant, shadowy organization…

This is the story of a boy who adored shadowy manipulations who might possibly reign over the dark side of another world.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!
TEIS
The Eminence in Shadow (LN)
想要成为影之实力者
陰の実力者になりたくて!
Related Series
To Be a Power in the Shadows! (LN) (Light Novel)
Recommendations
I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! (21)
Tilea’s Worries (14)
My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending (14)
There Was No Secret Organization to Fight with the World’s Darkness so I Made One (In Exasperation) (11)
Overlord (LN) (8)
I Got Reincarnated And Mistaken As A Genius? (8)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Action - Cultivation - Adventure (On going)
  2. Misunderstandings, but with major event going on b...
  3. Novels That I Have Read Over The Years
  4. Mentally ill protagnoists
  5. Isekai Fantasy | #1

Latest Release

Date Group Release
11/28/22 Placeholder c205.5
10/09/22 Placeholder characters
10/05/22 Placeholder c205
10/05/22 Soafp c205
03/09/21 Placeholder c204
10/08/19 WangMama c203
09/17/19 WangMama c202
08/27/19 WangMama c201
08/23/19 WangMama c200
08/21/19 WangMama c199
08/16/19 WangMama c198
08/13/19 WangMama c197
08/05/19 WangMama c196
08/02/19 WangMama c195
07/17/19 WangMama c194
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
209 Reviews sorted by


Funggen
Funggen rated it
March 3, 2021
Status: --
It start as a s*upid story. I enjoyed the protagonist being an evil genius and a dumb weirdo at the same time.

In the middle chapter it started to become bangers especially with holy city and warrior festival arc..

But then come john smith arc. Normally The genius and The dumb even out but in this span of chapters the MC just dumb.

... more>> Fortunately the later arc started to get together with the war and it's on a hiatus.

There's many potential in this novel some ended with satisfaction, some other ended with Disappointment and a definitely a good one to read. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
SoraZumi
SoraZumi rated it
March 2, 2021
Status: --
Honestly, it deserves 5 star from me just because of the fact that MC is determined to do something and it's not for others but for himself, for his dream and have the guts to realise that unlike those super awkward and OP MC just for the sake of making them look great because determined to do something for yourself is more relatable then the MC who's on the other side of the earth feeling guilty/responsible for something that happened on this side of the earth
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Mr.Skink
Mr.Skink rated it
February 26, 2021
Status: c68
I can't believe that I had to decided to give this a 3 instead of a 5 not because of the comedy getting old nor about how MC never changes and believes everything to be fake. I have a problem with the almost no explanations whatsoever about anything.

Let me give some examples:

1. Worldbuilding, I mean wtf where is it? We don't know anything about this world at all, we don't know the countries that are in this world, we don't get any description on this so-called 'Royal Capital' its just... more>> basically left up to our imagination. We went to the art country (meaning their whole thing is about art and not just painting) and we never get told about anything artsy, or how the city looks (since you think they would design the place). We are introduced to new characters with titles like 'One of the seven-something swordsman' but we never get told what they are in the first place.

2. Plot holes, ok Ima just say it who is apart of the diablo order? Like I mean we never get told or feel like they are real people (archbishop is one in) what is their objective? Never get told of it nor have we seen actions heading to some goal or mission, just 'oh they are part of the diablo cult and they attacked this place we must kill them... and then what happens? Do we get to search further into this Diablo cult? Nope just 'job well done' and then onto some other problem.

Below spoiler isn't really one (cause honestly this plot is so garbage that the spoiler below doesn't do anything just wanted to forewarn people)

Spoiler

They apparently were working on pills to become immortal, but they can only make 12 which is why there is 12 in the round table thing? idk some more plot that I can't care about because it doesn't feel significant

[collapse]

3. Explaining

This is similar to 1, and 2 but sort of combined.

Never get told of the surroundings around the MC, never can get into the plot because MC isn't into the plot so how can we become invested in something the MC doesn't care about, adding on top of that author just basically leaves the plot hanging with holes underneath everywhere so there goes that.

4. Character Development:

This is the most important one out of everything in this review (basically this was the make or break for me to give 3 or 5 stars).

This novel resembles Overlord in the way that everybody thinks he's superior in everything and they can never reach him whilst he tries to change their opinion.

Let me compare Overlord with this book real quick

Overlord: Has amazing side characters and minor characters all having a reason to be in the novel cause they actually matter in the plot even if small, we get told background information on basically all of them (this part can be excluded since not every book that's good does this)

TBAPITS: Side characters a basically empty, the only ones I can say has some sort of 3d in them are Rose and Alexia everybody else is just cardboard including Alpha which I'm sad of, Alpha basically never gets to be involved with the MC for about 98% of the time so we can't see her come to life all we know is that she does things for the MC in the background (and I almost (and I mean almost not all of the time) all the time we just get told she's doing stuff). Minor characters... what's that?

Nobody feels real besides the MC which is funny because he believes all the things happening are fake.

I still recommend reading this though, since it is pretty funny. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Emtee
Emtee rated it
January 30, 2021
Status: --
The cringe is so well-calculated that it's not cringe anymore. I love this man, the way his whims coincides and destroys the enemy's plans is so good.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
mattxx3
mattxx3 rated it
November 22, 2020
Status: c203
Literally the best novel I have ever read. The series has great plot progression, crazy fight scenes, and amazing characters. MC isn't a beta Japanese Mary Sue. In fact, MC mentions it in the very first volume, that he does not care if millions die, that he lives for his dream of becoming a power in the shadows. Some may say that he is unemotional, but I find his willingness to give up everything for the pursuit of his ideals is beautiful and something the majority of people can not... more>> do.

The pacing is perfect, having 2 arcs within each volume. While some may say that the pacing is too quick, I find that the pacing is perfect for a satirical power isekai such as this. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Schwarzberg
Schwarzberg rated it
October 1, 2020
Status: c203
This novel is NOT to be taken seriously. No. Such a parody of all that heroic isekais... I was laughing hysterically while reading some of this. Scared my family more than once. Possibly some neighbours, too. It is, just like "Evil Lord", making fun of all isekai/action/etc clichees. If compared, it is a bit less in some ways, a bit better in others, equally funny. Worth reading.

In short, it is funny and mocking. Stalled for quite a time though. Hopefully, manga will catch up soon.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
zeckishere
zeckishere rated it
December 9, 2019
Status: c203
If I were to compare this to movies in general, this is not the type to win awards, but this is the one that people go to because it is fun.

The main character is s*upid in a good way. He is overpowered, and it is kind of admirable of his love for being the power in the shadows despite his mental age getting up there. Even though the other characters feel like they are only there to make him feel stronger, or go back to the usual comedic routine of... more>> him correctly guessing through decades, or centuries worth of meticulous planning by the evil organization, their reactions are part of what makes this story what it is.

Despite the result being sure from the get go, the action, and fight scenes are well done, which is hard to do when the protagonist is this strong.

Overall, the comedy has never made me laugh out out loud, or chuckle, but it is an integral part of the novel. It helps set the mood, and fits perfectly with this story.

If you are looking for some good fun, or something akin to the binge-worthy shows that come out here and there on streaming services like Netflix, then this novel is definitely one to try. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Zizumer
Zizumer rated it
August 18, 2019
Status: c202
I want to start off this review by warning you; if you do not like dense protagonists, do NOT read this WN. At all. Okay, so to start off, this is a story about a crazy and completely dense guy that cannot see the hints of anything going on even when the evidence is right in front of him, and even though it is hilarious in my opinion, it can get really frustrating, with you wanting to kill the guy yourself because he cannot literally think for a second of... more>> what is actually happening. The characters are mostly girls, with a few guys mixed in, but you get a feeling of a harem almost right away, with all of his minions being women as well as all of the main characters as well. All the bad guys are men, of course, because who wants to kill a woman? Respect all whamen. Other than that, there is this big plot in the background, and it tells the story from a mixture of both the MC and his minions views, as well as trying to add a lot of jokes in between, which can either make you laugh so hard tears will come out of your eyes, or will make you want to point a gun to your head because it is just so bad. All in all, I really like it and I would recommend you at least giving it a try because it does make you laugh a lot and it is overall a story that doesn't try to be what it is not. It is just this big, dense, harem novel. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Elphus
Elphus rated it
July 11, 2019
Status: v7c1
Chuuni fantasy novel that's comical but relies too heavily on its own theme of "chuuni is right but doesn't believe his own bullshit"

Main guy makes sh*t up, his followers believe it, and then it all comes true for some reason, but he thinks it's all a game or something. It's good if that's what you're into but the majority of character development for everyone else is off-screen from what I can tell.

Will eventually read the LN when YenPress publishes it, but I'm doubtful it'll change very much unless it rewrites... more>> a vast majority of scenes. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
setsun
setsun rated it
July 6, 2019
Status: c196
To be honest, I thought this series gonna be like generic Isekai, but it turned to be a decent one, still worth to read I suppose.

Let's see, MC got a nice humor and silly character. The setting itself wasn't bad, like a secret organization hunting other secret organization. Kind of remind me about Eiyuu densetsu's snek society Ouroboros at first, but somewhat it gotten like Overlord style vibe. MC has no interest in romance or whatsoever, so you might think 'what this sh*t doing?' kind of reaction though. But at... more>> least, I got a good laugh on this. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MTS
MTS rated it
June 3, 2019
Status: c173
this novel is great, you can say it's unique hard to say for other isekai novels

I have something am confused about in chapter 167

... more>>
Spoiler

Mordred retrieved something from his pocket.

As he opened his palm, something drifted down from it. Bright like spring water-- they were strands of hair.

And rose happened to know someone with such beautiful and strange hair.

“Wait, that’s--”

That clear springwater hair was that of Epsilon.

[collapse]

but in the spoilers on the same chapter says

Spoiler

To prevent that, Cid does some mana puppetry, making normal people as strong as magiswords.

He then met up with Epsilon again and went into some ruins were the hero Freyja was sealed up.

is Epsilon ok ? Am confused was she captured or all mordred got is some hair?

[collapse]
<<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
NotOriginal
NotOriginal rated it
May 5, 2019
Status: c168
Its a pretty fun read the MC is fun to read as he's a insane vigilante chuuni that just act's his way through situations with a s*upidly high levels of coincidences to make him look the all knowing omnipotent enigmatic figure known as Shadow but there is one thing that he values almost as much as his role as the Eminence in the shadows is that meticulous role of a MOB character he careful made and maintains in order to truly hide in plain sight as his MOB character no... more>> one will ever suspect him to be Shadow <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
tvo359
tvo359 rated it
November 5, 2018
Status: c13
I like this story very much. When you read a lot of novels, over time the stories will interchange, that is not the case here. I find myself laughing at random places and I enjoy myself very much. Looking forward to what the story will bring next.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Gonzhilaz
Gonzhilaz rated it
July 20, 2018
Status: c88
Love it! This novel is fun to read. The novel is s*upid? Write your own novel to satisfied your taste.

Who cares about MC's obsession with staying in the shadow? I don't even know what the MC is thinking about.

I've waited how the MC try to look cool in every arc. How desperate he wants to look weak and foolish. The only thing I don't like is that north-korean nuke missile that the MC is affraid of. But thats small stuff.

I predicted in the end of the story, the MC is... more>> livin in the shadow as the shadow, protecting the world in the shadow with his harem err shadow minions... another alternative is the MC choose his main girl and continue living for another 200 years, protecting the world from evil... yeah..

Dont get too serious with this... its a comedy <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
cheval
cheval
May 10, 2018
Status: c34
God damn it this is too funny... the comedy is so strong even the obvious horrifying scene seems usual.

Spoiler

on one chapter the MC got tortured and all of his fingernails are plucked but the way the story portrayed it seems so usual

[collapse]
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
TestingTeddy
TestingTeddy
April 25, 2018
Status: c38
As of now, this WN is a prime example of using a cliche and putting a twist that readers will enjoy. Hopefully, it won't down spiral to become a generic WN wherein generic, for me, is stopping midway.

The one thing I only wonder is if the chunnibyou of MC will destory his being once he knows the truth.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Lolistalker
Lolistalker rated it
April 25, 2018
Status: c38
Absolutely brilliant

This is one of the few webnovel that is actually self aware about its own nature

this novel is far from perfect, there is a lot of detail that is glossed over just like in many other "isekai" novel, the plot armor is thick, it is often being ridiculous but because the author is aware of his novel nature it is used properly and become a good thing instead of taking the reader out of the immersion, in many other novel if there is something ridiculous or inconsistent then usually... more>> it is the author's fault, the lack of research and or just general knowledge then result in a less logical world and or characters, well no one is perfect so I can tolerate that to a certain degree, the problem is if the author is not aware of their own shortcoming, that will end up in a disappointing and immersion breaking novel

so yea, if you like s*upid comedy isekai OP chuuni MC story then this is for you <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
18Yuki
18Yuki rated it
March 30, 2018
Status: c12
I cringed initially, there was a WTF moment somewhere in the first few chapters but once you get over it, you’ll just get swept along with the mistunderstood current. Personally I look forward most to the outsider’s perspectives more then the MC, the MC is like the comedic relief while everything else is the story. He sets the foundations and everything else just rolls with him, if that makes sense.

If you can get past the first few chapters it’s a worthwhile light read.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
yellowcrusader
yellowcrusader
March 27, 2018
Status: c10
This web novel may not be the next literature jewel you will stumble upon but it is still a enjoyable read.

So far it seems like one of those generic OP protagonists who will cake walk all obstacles within the story. That is perfectly fine as long as obstacles presented are either fresh, interesting, and/or humorous. I can say so far so good on meeting at least two.

The writing is unconventional, cutting out many details and giving a fast pace story disregarding a lot of details. This may hurt the novel... more>> plot wise but again it isn't a literature jewel nor is it aiming to be. It is just a chapters you breeze though while being slightly amused.

I hope this web novel keeps the humor fresh and even with having generic tropes and pitfalls of isekai still manage to provide amus**ent instead of eye-rolling repetition.

Therefore, I would recommend you give this a glace as the pace of the novel will allow you to judge whether you will enjoy it within few chapters. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
VonHalzen
VonHalzen
February 27, 2022
Status: c135
I was getting too bored to honestly care anymore about this.

As every other slightly negative review will point out, going with the misunderstanding chuuni setting will difficultly get you very far. It's sad because the business and social undertones of the novel setting were very promising.

Adding onto the deluding MC and story progression, we have a honestly quite terrible fantranslation the further we go on, and to end everything in splendour, a nice hiatus. I don't know if the light novel officially translated is where the story will be concluded,... more>> but honestly at this point I don't think I'll ever check that out.

There are more worthwhile ways to entertain oneself. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.