Arafo Otoko No Isekai Tsuhan Seikatsu [Season 1 Episode 1 to Episode 13]

Review: The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World (Episodes 1-13)

A Fresh Twist on Isekai, or Just Another Rehash?

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a middle-aged man got dumped into a fantasy world with nothing but an online shopping app, The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World (or Arafo Otoko no Isekai Tsuhan Seikatsu) is here to answer that question—sort of.

The anime follows Kenichi Hamada, a 38-year-old illustrator who suddenly finds himself in a monster-infested forest after what seems like a very brief and unceremonious isekai transition (seriously, the show speeds through his backstory in under a minute). But here’s the twist: he’s got access to a magical online store called Shangri-La, where he can order anything from modern-day Japan and have it delivered to his new world.

From the get-go, the premise is both ridiculous and oddly charming. Kenichi isn’t your typical overpowered isekai protagonist—he’s just a guy trying to survive by selling imported goods to locals. Think Campfire Cooking in Another World, but with less food porn and more capitalism.

What Fans Are Saying

The first episode sparked a lot of mixed reactions. Some viewers loved how the show skipped the usual isekai exposition dump, while others felt it was too rushed. One fan on MyAnimeList joked, “They speedran the isekai intro like it was a speedrun challenge.” Another pointed out, “It’s refreshing to see an MC who’s not a teenager for once, but do we really need him to mention his age every five minutes?”

The show’s humor and pacing won over a fair number of viewers, especially those tired of the same old isekai tropes. One commenter noted, “Kenichi’s whole ‘buy low, sell high’ strategy is basically how real-world importing works. I respect the hustle.”

However, not everyone was impressed. Critics called out the show for borrowing too heavily from other isekai series, particularly Campfire Cooking and TonDemo Isekai. One disappointed fan wrote, “This feels like a lazy mashup of existing tropes. Even by trash-isekai standards, it’s not bringing anything new to the table.”

The Good, The Bad, and The Awkward

One of the biggest talking points was Kenichi’s… ahem… relationship with Azalea, a local woman who repays him for his kindness in a way that raised a few eyebrows. Some fans found it refreshing that the show didn’t shy away from adult themes, while others cringed at the age gap being constantly highlighted. “Why does he keep saying she’s young enough to be his daughter? Just let it happen without the commentary,” one viewer groaned.

The animation quality also got mixed reviews. While the character designs are decent, the action scenes and backgrounds feel a bit lackluster. One fan bluntly stated, “The OP looks like it was made in PowerPoint.”

Final Verdict: Worth Watching?

If you’re a fan of laid-back isekai with a business twist, The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper might be up your alley. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s got a quirky charm that makes it an easy binge.

That said, if you’re looking for deep storytelling or high-stakes action, this probably isn’t the show for you. As one fan put it, “It’s the kind of trash I could’ve dropped after five minutes, but I’ll probably watch the whole season anyway.”

Rating: 6.5/10 – A fun, if forgettable, addition to the isekai genre.

Would you give this one a shot, or is it a hard pass? Let me know your thoughts!