A vending machine enthusiast's death leads to a bizarre reincarnation.
In short: In the Japanese isekai genre, most protagonists find themselves in fantasy worlds through magic or accidents. But for one otaku, death by a falling vending machine leads to a much stranger reincarnation: becoming a sentient, immobile vending machine in a dangerous dungeon.
The series, originally a web novel published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2016, follows a protagonist who is reincarnated as a sentient vending machine. Despite his new form, he retains his human soul and can see and hear his surroundings. His verbal capacity is restricted to basic Japanese vending machine expressions like "Hello there" or "Too bad," yet he later masters spelling out words via letters. The series was eventually picked up by Kadokawa Shoten. This light novel was written by Hirukuma and illustrated by Itsuwa Kato.
To survive the dungeon, the protagonist—named Boxxo by his companion Lammis—must use the points earned from selling products to upgrade his physical capabilities. These upgrades include magical abilities like telekinesis, invisibility, and a defensive force field. He can also dispense any item he purchased during his previous life in Japan. He can also adjust his internal temperature. Furthermore, he possesses the ability to shapeshift.
The story gained significant popularity due to its unconventional approach to the isekai genre. Author Hirukuma noted that the series was a personal pursuit of a fantastical and original style, rather than an attempt to cater to specific reader trends. This unique premise has since expanded from the original light novels into a manga serialization and an anime television series. The manga adaptation was illustrated by Kunieda. It was published by ASCII Media Works.
The protagonist's survival is aided by Lammis, a hunter with a "Blessing of Might" that grants her immense strength. While she initially struggles to control this power, the weight of carrying Boxxo on her back helps her manage her strength, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two adventurers. The duo's journey begins after he provides food to the hungry hunter. This partnership helps them explore the various strata of the world's dungeon.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
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