is a Japanese light novel series written by Hifumi Asakura and illustrated by Yamakawa. The series was originally published on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website, with chapters being uploaded from September 2017 to June 2021. It was later acquired by SB Creative and Tugikuru Corporation who began publishing it under their Tugikuru Books light novel imprint in May 2018. A manga adaptation illustrated by Umiharu was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly GFantasy magazine from April 2019 to May 2024. The manga is licensed in English by Comikey and is also published on Square Enix's Manga Up! Global service. An anime television series adaptation produced by East Fish Studio aired from January to April 2025.
Plot summary Ken'ichi Hamada, a 38-year-old freelance manga artist working in Tokyo, has become increasingly dissatisfied with his life. After moving back to his country home, he is just beginning to settle into his new lifestyle when he suddenly finds himself displaced into another world by a mysterious god. There, he discovers that he can still connect to Earth's internet and access his favorite online shopping site. He uses this cheat skill to sell and purchase things he needs and earn money to make a living in this new world, developing lots of love interests along the way. But in time, he begins to hear rumors that he may not be the only person from Earth stranded here.
Characters Main characters
The main protagonist. Ken'ichi Hamada is a 38-year-old, single manga artist who grew up in a country town. Dissatisfied with his life in the city, he moves back after finding a way to commute. After finding himself abruptly transported into another world by a god, and discovering that he can somehow still shop on the internet, he sells items he finds in the other world and uses the funds gained to procure high-quality modern-day items to sell for a profit, as well as an Item Box that can carry an unlimited amount of objects. With that money, he hopes to set himself up for a quiet life in the countryside; but the more he uses his cheat abilities, the more notoriety he gains. He also gains lots of love interests, who are quite competitive for him. If forced into combat, Ken'ichi either uses an excavator (any modern vehicles he uses are referred to as a "summoned iron beast" or a "horseless carriage"), a crossbow, a slingshot, a shield, or firecrackers, all of which he keeps stored in his Item Box, as his weapons of choice. He is later given the title and powers of a Holy Knight by Princess Lilith.
The daughter of Mallow, a wealthy merchant in the town of Dahlia. After her maid ends up buying clothespins and jewelry from Ken'ichi's stall, which arouse her interest, she invites him to her house to ask him to sell them exclusively to her father's company, which Ken'ichi agrees to. She gradually becomes fascinated by his kindness and the exotic wares he has to offer. When she is kidnapped by Shaga's bandits, Ken'ichi goes out to rescue her, winning her affection. After he moves to Astrantia, she follows him on foot to his new home, stubbornly determined to marry him, and later becomes Ken'ichi's wife. She was originally meant to marry North Pole, but turned it down as she still has her sights on Ken'ichi. She is love rivals with Anemone. Owing to her background, she is already well-versed in opening and maintaining a business, thus serving as an intermediary in peddling Ken'ichi's wares in Astrantia.
A twelve-year-old girl who was sold to another family by her impoverished parents and then captured by Shaga's bandit gang. After Ken'ichi defeats the band, she decides to stay with him as his adoptive daughter, but also become his future wife once she's old enough. She is later discovered to have an innate talent for magic and begins studying to become a magician. She is good friends with Mary, but also love rivals with Primura.
A tomboyish female cat beastwoman with black fur and faint stripes, and a skilled archer. She first encounters Ken'ichi when he starts selling wares in Dahlia and becomes interested in Japanese spices. After Ken'ichi moves out of Dahlia in order to escape the local nobility's unwanted attention towards him, Myarey follows him to his new home. She develops feelings for Ken'ichi and has a rivalry with Nyamena.
A tiger-furred female cat beastwoman who is hired by Primura as a bodyguard after she sets up shop in Astrantia with wares provided by Ken'ichi. After being invited for dinner and taking a liking to the comforts of Ken'ichi's home, she also joins the household and develops affection for him, much to Myarey's consternation.
A female forest cat worshipped as divine by the cat beastpeople. After Ken'ichi finds her and treats an injury she sustained, she becomes very attached to him.
Dahlia territory
An 18-year-old female worker at an inn in Dahlia, and Kenichi's first friend in the new world. In return for teaching him to read and write the local language, and the basics of the local economy, he gifts her with sweets from Earth. She has romantic affection for Ken'ichi and desires to be his lover.
A middle-aged female trader from Dahlia who runs a small stall next to Kenichi when he first sets up shop in Dahlia. When Kenichi sets out against Shaga's bandits, she joins his band of volunteers as a cook. Having lost her children to plague, she offers to take Anemone in, which the girl refuses as she wants to stay with Ken'ichi instead. and
Three male cat beastmen and Myarey's companions who are won over by Kenichi's cooking and join him in his quest against Shaga's bandits. They seem to have feelings for Nyamena.
An influential merchant in Dahlia and Primura's father. He also has an Item Box.
A knight from Dahlia. He patronizes Ken'ichi's stall for fine knives and steel, and later joins him in his expedition against Shaga's bandits. He and Primura were previously meant to be engaged, but the proposal was canceled as Primura wants to marry Ken'ichi instead.
An unnamed old sorcerer and keeper of a magic shop in Dahlia.
A merchant who once gave Ken'ichi a ride to Dahlia. They met each other again on certain occasions.
The leader of a feared bandit gang haunting the area around Dahlia. After being paid by a nobleman, his band captures Primura. Kenichi assembles a band of volunteers to rescue her, and Shaga is killed by Myarey after Ken'ichi blinds him with a laser sight.
Astrantia territory
One of the first people whom Ken'ichi befriends after moving from Dahlia to Astrantia. A former government official, he has made himself enemies who keep tormenting him and his family. After his little daughter Mary becomes ill and Ken'ichi aids him in procuring a rare medicine, they move to take up residence at North Pole's new barony near Dahlia with a letter of recommendation by Ken'ichi.
The wife of Viscount Eupatorium. She becomes acquainted with Ken'ichi after she assists Primura in her business when the latter gets harassed by the thugs of another merchant. As she vainly tries to seduce Ken'ichi due to her affection for him (even though she already has a husband) and witnesses his life with his extended family, she begins to realize the unhappiness in her own marriage.
A viscount, lord of Astrantia and Canaan's husband.
A female magician and owner of a magical items shop. She knows of Anemone's mother.
The daughter of two local public servants, Iris was facing the prospect of finding herself a job or marrying a much older man. After seeing Primura doing business in her city, she asked to be hired and was taken in as Primura's assistant to help expand the business.
An unscrupulous merchant who is not averse to bullying competitors and overcharging his clients for his personal profit. After having his thugs harass Primura one time too many, Ken'ichi uses his "magic" to intimidate Thogaram into leaving the town.
Croton's daughter. She is good friends with Anemone.
Croton's wife and Mary's mother.
A cat beastperson who usually accompanies Croton. Dogman An unnamed dog beastperson who previously worked with some thugs who hated Croton. He has a pack of tamed wolves. Myarey resents his kind.
Royal Capital of Kadan
The spoiled 15-year-old first princess and only heir to the throne of the kingdom of Kadan. Despite her whimsical and egotistic personality, she is also sharp of wit and has her occasional generous moments. After gaining notoriety as a magician, Ken'ichi is called to the royal court to fight a duel with Kadan's court magician for the nobility's amusement. After seeing Ken'ichi's unusual "magic" in action, and after inviting herself to (and enjoying) his dinner cookings, she develops affection towards him and intervenes on his behalf (albeit not unselfishly) by granting him a royal pardon when the duel begins to escalate. When his business in the capital is concluded, she joins his family entourage.
The Queen of Kadan and Lilith's stepmother. Because her husband dotes on his daughter, she has made herself Lilith's self-declared rival. Having borne no royal heirs (and thus having lost standing with the nobility), and intrigued with Ken'ichi after his performance at court, she spontaneously invites herself to his family group. Like Canaan, she also tries to seduce Ken'ichi due to her also developing affection for him despite already being married.
The unnamed meek King of Kadan, who is dominated by his wife, Amaranth.
Princess Lilith's personal maid. She appears to have taken a liking to Ken'ichi.
The female court wizard of Kadan, and Snowflake's out-of-wedlock daughter with a nobleman. She was separated from her mother right after birth and not allowed to see her again, and grew up just as arrogant as the rest of the country's nobility. Nevertheless, she is on good terms with Ken'ichi's family after losing a match against them, but is eager to fight them again in the future. She knows Anemone's mother.
The Empire
Another Japanese who was displaced into the other world by the same mysterious god from the start of the story, more precisely into a region known as the Empire. He established himself as a magician, but only gained the ability to create mayonnaise at will. He became notorious as the Dragon Slayer of the Empire after he killed a dragon by suffocating it with mayonnaise. Tired of the Empire's demands on him, he and Reylan decide to accompany Ken'ichi and his family.
A beautiful, well-endowed sorceress and Akira's wife.
Others
A noble from Dahlia. He is not seen, only mentioned.
Anemone's deceased mother, who can use magic just like her. Snowflake and Melissa know her.
An unnamed female bard whom Fuyou gives a ride to Dahlia and later to an unknown location. Like Ken'ichi and Mallow, she also has an Item Box. God An unidentified deity who resembles a little girl with glowing jade skin and a white dress. She was the one responsible for transporting Ken'ichi and Akira to the other world. It is unknown why though or what her motive is.
Media Light novel Written by Hifumi Asakura, The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World was originally published on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō from September 13, 2017, to June 24, 2021. It was later acquired by SB Creative and Tugikuru Corporation who began publishing it under their Tugikuru Books light novel imprint with illustrations by Yamakawa on May 10, 2018. Three volumes have been released as of April 10, 2019.
Manga A manga adaptation illustrated by Umiharu was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly GFantasy magazine from April 18, 2019, to May 17, 2024. Its chapters were collected into eight volumes released from October 26, 2019, to December 27, 2024.
The manga is licensed in English by Comikey and is also published on Square Enix's Manga Up! Global service.
Anime