Said premise usually involves giving a character an extreme handicap. In a genre saturated with overpowered protagonists, the only shows that feel unique enough for my consideration are those that exhibit a hint of restraint. I'm not alone in this preference — Re:ZERO is the second-most popular isekai on the site and I’d wager a big draw is the fact that Subaru is physically ineffectual, with his signature power being that he revives upon death. It just makes for a more engaging and exciting story when there's the threat of your protagonist being beaten. Beyond that, handicaps and limitations tend to make isekai protagonists more distinct, as their strengths usually lead to the same conclusion: an absolutely cracked power fantasy.
This isn’t about them Pockey, stay on track, stay on track.
When I heard of an isekai about someone reincarnating as a vending machine, I was intrigued, yet cautious. On one hand, being reborn as a stationary vending machine provided a wealth of opportunities for the main character to navigate a fantasy world with severe limitations such as being unable to move. On the other hand, as far as I knew, two episodes in, the protagonist would be able to turn into a Gundam or something.
With that in mind, I'm happy to say that Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon exceeded my expectations. It's an isekai that handles its premise well, not only sticking to what makes it interesting, but surprising me with just how far it stretched the concept while remaining true to it.
Our unnamed protagonist is largely undefined save for his interest in vending machines and after he ends up dying in an effort to save one, karma reincarnates him as a magical vending machine in a fantasy world.
While it's true that "magical" is doing a lot of heavy lifting, it isn't doing as much as you might think. This magic manifests in our protagonist, quickly christened "Boxxo," being able to modify himself using points earned from purchases. These modifications range from increasing his stats such as durability, creating a barrier, changing prices, altering stock, and, most notably, changing his form. The catch is that he can only change into types of vending machines.
The transformations lead to some very interesting solutions to problems. One notable application of Boxxo's quick and imaginative problem-solving skills is vending mentos and cokein order for his allies to defeat a monster. Part of what makes Reborn as a Vending Machine work is due to the sheer amount of different vending machines there are. Another example of Boxxo's quick-thinking is displayed when he's in freefall. To slow his descent, he creates a barrier, fills it with balloons via a balloon vending machine, and then turns into a vending machine made of cardboard. These are all real things! I was pleasantly surprised by how informative the show was. Some transformations, such as a gas pump, stretch the definition of a "vending machine," though nothing really feels egregiously out of line.
While the transformations give Boxxo versatility, he still has his limitations. Under an author with less restraint Boxxo's other mods and features could have functionally made him human, or, at the very least, something with more utility than a vending machine. But no, Reborn as a Vending Machine sticks to its premise throughout its run. Boxxo can give himself wheels but he can't turn them himself; they're mostly used to make transporting him easier. He can give himself a vacuum, but it's only powerful enough to suck up coins and the like; it can't really be used as a weapon in and of itself. The biggest possibility for the show to jump the shark was in giving Boxxo the ability to display text. Throughout the show, Boxxo is limited to seven stock phrases; the only way to converse with him is by asking him questions and assigning responses to certain phrases("hello/welcome" is "yes," for example). Having him be able to speak freely via writing would make Boxxo feel a lot less limited in his capabilities and less interesting as a result. Thankfully, when Boxxo chooses the ability, he discovers, much to his dismay, no one can read the text, as it's in Japanese (even if they could, he can only display the same phrases he says, anyway).
Thanks to these limitations, Boxxo makes his way through this fantasy world with the help of his friend and deutaragonist Lammis. We're treated to the unique ways a medieval adventuring guild would use a magical vending machine. Boxxo is parts ration pack and parts Swiss Army Knife. I appreciate it because it's an effective and intriguing blend of the mundane with the fantastical.
When Boxxo is parked somewhere in the characters' home base, he's used more the way you'd expect. Honestly, I may have enjoyed this slice-of-life segment of the show more than the adventuring portion. There's a very cozy feeling to Reborn as a Vending Machine at times. It's very cute to see this sentient vending machine blow the minds of medieval villagers when he introduces them to the likes of ramen, menstrual pads, shampoo, porn magazines, and condoms (Japanese vending machines are wild).
Reborn as a Vending Machine's greatest strength is doing right by its premise, which has more depth than it might seem. The show not only treats us to a fantasy world but familiarizes us with an aspect of our own world that we might not have been aware of. And I think that's pretty neat.
I just wish there was a bit more to it.
Because, as well-executed as Reborn as a Vending Machine's premise is, like many isekai, the show operates under the assumption that the premise is the end-all-be-all, leaving the rest of the show's aspects out to dry.
Take the setting, for example, which is the same generic fantasy you've seen before. It's nothing to write home about and if any thought was put into the setting to make it unique, it hasn't translated into making it interesting for the viewers. I imagine this is largely the point because for as much as isekai shows are ostensibly about exploring another world (almost as if it's in the name or something), they tend to just be an avenue for exploring all the things the main character can do with their fancy powers.
Not, mind you, an avenue for exploring the character themselves.
Boxxo is no exception. Sure, all the ways he can use his powers are cool, but I have little sense of who he has as a person. I know he's creative and loves vending machines, but these traits are just extensions of his powers. One of the more interesting bits of Boxxo's character is when he briefly wonders if he'd want to turn human again because he feels more useful as a vending machine. It's brief, but it's something.
*Reborn as a Vending Machine features a large cast, but not a particularly interesting one. There's Lammis, who can be summarized as "genki girl," a character trait that's simple to a fault; whether you find her endearing or annoying is largely based on your own personality and your mood on a given day rather than anything the show itself did. And she's probably one of the more rounded characters. The cast at large is less memorable than a literal inanimate object. I distinctly remember feeling lost in the penultimate episode because we were following a character we were introduced to, yet whom I could not remember for the life of me.
Reborn as a Vending Machine doesn't do much to escape the confines of the archetypical isekai. While it plays to the genre's strengths extremely well, it's evident that it's very beholden to its weaknesses. Believe me when I say I didn't intend to go into this review raving about a genre I barely watch, but the more I dug into the show, the more convinced I was that its weaknesses are intrinsic to its genre. And I don't just say this to be a hater — I want to like isekai, I really do, hence why I occasionally give one a try every few years. But each time, I've been disappointed for one reason or another.
For what it's worth, I don't hate Reborn as a Vending Machine. I don't even dislike it. I'm more ambivalent towards it. It's enjoyable enough; I had a good time while watching it, but it started becoming a real struggle deciding to watch it. It's a fun show, but not an interesting one and one I didn't find particularly gripping. I’m sure a big part of my enjoyment came from my fascination with Japanese vending machines.
If you're a fan of isekai or are interested in giving the genre a shot, Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon features one of the most creative and interesting power sets I've experienced. It's a fine enough show if you're just looking for something fun and cute. If you're looking for any depth in characters or setting, this probably isn't the show for you.
51 out of 55 users liked this review
