Forum - View topicHeadhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four! (TV).
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Edjwald
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Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four! (TV) Source: Manga (ongoing @ 10 volumes, written by Benigashira, illustrated by Muramitsu) Demographic: Seinen Animation Studio: CompTown Geek Toys Genres: adventure, comedy, fantasy Themes: aristocracy, demi-humans, demons, diplomacy, ecchi, isekai, medieval, misunderstandings, monsters, resurrection, sorcery Plot Summary: Dennosuke Uchimura is just an ordinary Japanese salaryman until he's sent to work in Vietnam, where he dies in a hit-and-run accident. Uchimura is reincarnated and summoned to another world by the Demon King, who offers him a new job–as one of the Four Heavenly Kings of his army. Air Date & Platform: January 01, 2025 (Wednesday) Available on: Crunchyroll Episode Count / Runtime: Pending [EDIT: Added fancy opener stuff. -TK] |
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smurky turkey
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I rather liked the first episode. The mc is really capable yet he was being mistreated by his previous bosses who just send him from one problematic location to the next without a word of praise or a raise. The demon king actually appreciates what Dennosuke brings to the table and knows that his other generals are not the calm and problem solving types. It actually makes sense that you need someone like the mc to keep things running in an orderly fashion.
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Blood-
 Bargain Hunter Posts: 24457 |
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Episode 1 & 2
Late to the demon lord office party. Yeah, I liked these two episodes. I don't see this title rising above a possible 6/10 (Decent) but if it stays fun I may be able to overlook that. |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 2918 |
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Yeah, it is pretty harmless fun so far. It also helps that most of the characters are pleasant.
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smurky turkey
Posts: 2918 |
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Episode 3 reminds me of how basic most isekai are. A whole different world means endless possibilities where to take the story/concept yet most of them are the same in what they focus on. In the case of this show there is a relatively rare focus on the contrasting values that come to light when individuals of different worlds meet. Even rarer is finding common ground and learning to understand the other person.
That is not to say this show is some masterpiece or anything but I commend it for trying something not done all that often. |
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Blood-
Bargain Hunter Posts: 24457 |
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Episode 3
You make a valid point, Smurky. This is not on the same level as Zenshu or Red Ranger but it's not Trash Isekai either, imo. The fact that I'm 3 episodes in and willing to go for more establishes that to my own satisfaction. Still not ready to designate it a keeper, though. |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 2918 |
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And so Dennosuke solves another issue. The issue should have been solved without needing his intervention but the demon army is not one to think of new concepts or trying things outside of the norm. So far Ulmandra is a meathead not suited for diplomacy, Sylphid gives up way too quickly when things get tough and what does the demon king even do?
That said, although the magic devices will help keep villages safe and thus fixes an issue, the bigger issue of demi-humans not being able to use magic was not solved at all. Finally, being called to the boss's office is indeed usually not a good thing. |
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Blood-
Bargain Hunter Posts: 24457 |
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Episode 4
I continue to like this but I'm convinced that the highest rating it is likely to get from me if I stick it out is 6/10 (Decent). Based on my self-imposed "rule" of only sticking with shows that I think will be 7/10 (Good) or higher, I should be dropping this. But I don't wanna. So I'm not gonna... yet. Or ever. I'm finding it entertaining. By the way, I'm a bit confused about something. You know how at a certain point in each episode, Uchimura ends up in an izakaya with Master? My assumption is these episodes are only taking place in his head and represent him trying to work out a particular problem. Does anybody think they are actually happening? I'm curious. |
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Yttrbio
 Posts: 3707 |
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It's quite possible the entire show takes place in his head. "Wouldn't it be great if I had competent co-workers and management" was basically the core fantasy of Star Trek: The Next Generation, why shouldn't he have a similar fantasy in his dying moments?
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Tony K.
 SubscriberModerator  Posts: 11487 Location: Frisco, TX |
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The izakaya sequences remind a little bit of the Japanese live-action show Samurai Gourmet (2017) on Netflix. Basically, it's about a just-retired salaryman who decides to spend his newly-acquired extra time visiting different diners, dives, and other establishments to try all these foods and drinks he never got enjoy because of his work life. But whenever he visited these new places, he'd first imagine himself as some macho Sengoku-era samurai visiting a version of the place in the past, which would then give him the confidence to try new things in the present day. It's a very chill slice of life show with a lot of emphasis on the food and drink shots that I highly recommend if you wanna' look at Japanese food and just unwind.
Anyway, for this salaryman, I do think the izakaya sequences are in his own mind. He imagines a place he knows, has some kind of food or drink to calm himself down a little, then has an epiphany on how to solve whatever the problem of the week is. I think the whole thing is suppose to reference some form of Zen, which only he as a Japanese person probably knows about, since everybody else is a demon or demi-human. It's like he's bringing a little culture and humanity to this world, which is almost anthropological, and in my opinion, a neat twist. None of these creatures seemingly knew how to be diplomatic. Then low and behold, a guy who knows the ins and outs of diplomacy and/or negotiations through his very busy corporate job is bringing a little order to the chaos. |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 2918 |
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Episode 5 proves that said izakaya mindscape is not just there to solve immediate problems. Thus far Uchimura has only acted on direct orders to solve several issues but it is clear that the demon country has a lot more problems plaguing it. I like that he is now becoming active in searching for ways how he can help develop his country since that is significant development for him. It also helps to break the formula a little.
Finally, Ulmandra needs to cool down |
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Blood-
Bargain Hunter Posts: 24457 |
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I was intrigued by Uchimura's mention of something called ehoumaki sushi roll and its supposed connection to Hallowe'en. I consulted with my good friend Google and discovered that ehoumaki sushi rolls are an actual thing but they don't appear to have anything to do with Hallowe'en (that might have been the translator taking liberties). First off, ehoumaki rolls are a foot long and made with 7 ingredients. Why 7? Because 7 is a lucky number. The idea is that on setsubun (which falls in early February) you eat an ehoumaki sushi roll in silence while facing in the lucky direction for that year. As you eat in silence, you make a wish. So there you go.
And yeah, the change in how the izakaya mindscape scene was used has left me more confused than ever about what the heck is going on there. |
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Tony K.
Subscriber Moderator Posts: 11487 Location: Frisco, TX |
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I like how this show, Middle-Aged Online Shopper, and Greatest Alchemist are all about slice of life and building things, but in their own unique flavors. Salaryman is more about building relationships and coordinating logistics through diplomacy. Online Shopper is about a guy just trying build a comfortable place to live in another world, while also making some money, but will probably get more adventurous the richer he gets. And Alchemist seems to be going the route of the protagonist improving living conditions all over the place, just because he can with the powers he received from the goddess (I guess that might give him a kind of demi-god status?).
Anyway, I'm just happy this season has a lot of thoroughly enjoyable SoL iseki titles, right now. And we still have S2 of Campfire Cooking coming sometime this year! |
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