Ongoing

To Be a Power in the Shadows! (LN)

Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!, TEIS (LN), The Eminence in Shadow (LN), 我想成為影之強者！, 陰の実力者になりたくて！

Native Language Japanese

Released 2018

AuthorAizawa Daisuke, 逢沢大介

ArtistTouzai, 東西

TypeLight Novel (JP)

Rank: #261

Last Update: February 19, 2026

Original Pub.: Kadokawa

English Pub.: Yen Press

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8.6

To Be a Power in the Shadows! (LN) is a popular novel that blends Action, Adventure, Comedy and more. Written by the author Aizawa Daisuke. The number of translated chapters is being updated. Translation of other chapters is in progress.

Synopsis

Just like how everyone adored heroes in their childhood, a certain young man adored those powers hidden in shadows. After hiding his strength and living the mediocre life of a mob character by day while undergoing frenzied training by night, he finally reincarnates into a different world and gains ultimate power. The young man who is only playing at being a power in the shadows, his misunderstanding subordinates, and a giant organization in the shadows that gets trampled…. This is the story of a young boy who had adored powers in shadows possibly eventually reigning over the world of shadows in another world.

Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem School Life Seinen

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Editor's Note

💡 The Professional Grade. The LN version polishes Cid’s "sociopathic" tendencies—while he remains a delusional combat junkie, his interactions with his sister (Claire) and the Seven Shades are more structured. The LN also introduces unique arcs and lore details that aren't in the WN, specifically deepening the "Diablos Cult" hierarchy to make them feel like a legitimate threat, even if Cid thinks they are just "well-dressed bandits."

"The LN is for those who want the 'Atomic' experience with better grammar and a plot that actually moves forward."

*6+ volumes of atomic explosions, misinterpreted genius, and a sister who really needs to learn that Cid is beyond saving.*

Experience Curve

Vol. 1–2 (The Setup): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Perfectly introduces the "Shadow Garden" and Cid’s school life. The contrast between his "Mob" acting and his "Shadow" persona is at its funniest here.

Vol. 3–4 (The Expansion): ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Introduces the "Lawless City" and the return to Earth arc. These volumes show Cid's range as he adopts new personas like the merchant John Smith.

Vol. 5–6+ (The Mystery): ⭐⭐⭐ – Focuses more on the deeper lore of the Diablos Cult and the Seven Shades' individual motives (like Zeta's secret plans). Some readers feel the "Cid is dense" joke starts to strain, but the action remains top-tier.

WebNovelDB Review

8 /10

A high-budget parody that successfully balances slapstick comedy with genuinely epic world-ending battles.

The Protagonist (Cid): 8.5/10. He is a "love him or hate him" character. To enjoy the book, you must accept that he is a combat-obsessed sociopath who treats the world like a movie set.

The "Luck" Factor: 10/10. The series pushes "plot armor" so far that it becomes a meta-joke. Every random lie Cid tells turns out to be a historical fact.

The Production Value: Unlike the WN, the LN has incredible illustrations and a cohesive world map, making the "High-Martial" elements of the fantasy world feel real.

The Archetype: The "Anime-to-Novel" Fan. If you loved the anime's visual flair and humor, the LN is the best place to get the full internal monologues that the show couldn't fit in.

Not For You If: You want a protagonist who grows emotionally. Cid is static; he was a chuuni at age 5, and he’s a chuuni at age 17. He does not "learn" that the cult is real because the joke depends on him never finding out.

Version Note: This is the Light Novel (LN) — the polished, illustrated, and officially translated version. If you've read the Web Novel (WN), expect better prose, deeper lore, and the same glorious stupidity.

WebNovelDB Team

Key Information

Main Characters: Cid Kagenou / Shadow (The delusional "director" of his own life), Alpha (The perfectionist leader of Shadow Garden who genuinely loves Cid), Claire Kagenou (Cid's overprotective, "bro-con" sister who is a powerful knight in her own right).

Power System: Mana Manipulation & Slime Body Suits. Cid uses slimes to create a multifunctional suit that acts as armor, wings, and blades. His power is derived from extreme scientific experimentation with mana, leading to his signature move [I Am Atomic], which vaporizes everything in a massive radius.

Themes: Satirical Power Fantasy, Roleplaying as a survival/lifestyle choice, Extreme Misunderstandings, and the deconstruction of "Isekai Mob" tropes.

Similar To: I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!, There Was No Secret Organization to Fight with the World’s Darkness so I Made One (In Exasperation), To Be a Power in the Shadows! (WN)

Reading Progress

Not Started Chapters: 0 Rating: -

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