Headhunted to Another World concluded last week, and you can’t convince me that it wasn’t anti-capitalism propaganda. Mind you, that’s not a complaint. We need way more anti-capitalist propaganda. While the show didn’t provide much novelty, it constantly hammered us with relatability, which I appreciated.
Headhunted to Another World — When Did Proper Working Conditions Become High Fantasy?
The global life expectancy average is 71.1 years, and the average age of declining health begins in your 30s (even for gym rats). Yet, despite that, people often tout middle age as beginning in your 40s. Why? Because they want to keep you working for as long as they can. Corporations and their political ass-kissers ensure they keep you compliant until you’re too old to do anything.
I’m 100 percent sure this is why anime often portrays demons as such affable bosses — because if demons possess higher intelligence than men, they know the rat race is for imbeciles. Likewise, they know you’ll get people to do more by kindness rather than force. And it’s that easily understood fact that makes up the plot of Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four!
Synopsis — Keeping This as Spoiler-Free as Possible
Dennosuke Uchimura led an unfortunate life. Gifted with above-average resourcefulness, intelligence, and affability, he should have excelled in any position given to him. But anyone who’s ever worked for an incompetent boss can tell you that in some situations, the more you shine, the more they beat you down. Unfortunately, others beating him down was a daily occurrence for Uchimura-san.
Management constantly demoted and belittled Uchimura despite his willingness to excel for his company. So blatant was their mistreatment of the blue-collar worker that they even shipped him to remote locations. And it was in one of these locations that Uchimura died by scooter.
After being isekaied in a way that even Kazutrash would find lamentable, Uchimura-san’s unfortunate experience continues as he’s welcomed as an elite general for the Demon Lord’s Army. Dennosuke must prove he’s fit for the job in the face of staunch opposition from his demon and demi-human generals. A task he quickly excels at. Even when faced with several emergencies and what we in the business call “BS,” Uchimura stays on course even as he doubts himself.
What Headhunted to Another World Does Well
Geek Toys and Comptown Studios did a decent job. It’s not Ufotable Fate animation, but it’s nowhere close to the atrocities that GoHands and Queen Bee produce. Likewise, the OST, score, and voice acting would all pass if this were a test. But I’m not one to mull over those things. I’m here to talk about the story.
That we used to talk things out is difficult to accept, considering our divisive world. Not too long ago, when people didn’t entrench themselves so firmly in their camps, dialogue helped solve many problems. In Headhunted to Another World, things are still so primitive that even opposing factions will band together to better their lives. And it’s that nuance that lets Uchimura thrive.
In his past life, Uchimura always had to level mountains with a teaspoon. And while those impossible tasks were degrading, they provided the perfect background for what he needed in his isekai life. Everything others delegate to Uchimura involves negotiation tactics, office politics, and human resources. Provided Uchimura has the proper resources, these are all the areas he excels in.
The supporting cast does well in supporting Dennosuke. While all of them initially had reservations, they respected meritocracy, so when Uchimura proved himself capable, he was in. Yet, it’s never a completely straight road in Headhunted to Another World, and that’s what I appreciate most about it.
I dislike how most media resolves trauma too quickly. Even with professional help, for some, their battle is lifelong. And all the baggage that Uchimura collected over the years at his last job hinders him in his new life. At several moments, his coworkers and even the Demon King have to lift his spirits, and that’s invaluable in my eyes.
The MEH Portions of the Anime
Uchimura’s chief support (Ulmandra) was outright childish. Even in real life, humans should explain different customs to other humans. If God teleported from the US or UK to the Sahel or the Mongolian Steppes right now, you would undoubtedly commit a social faux pas.
Yet, despite knowing that her fellow general has little to no knowledge of the world he now resides in, she hypes herself up over his ignorance. We often witness instances where others misinterpret Uchimura’s kindness, and no one corrects him. At times, Ulmandra only exacerbates issues, likely intended for comedic relief. But once you see how Sylphid and Gnome interact with Uchimura, it leaves the main heroine in an unfavorable light.
Uchimura’s barscape, whatever that was, sometimes takes away from the show. I have never claimed my intelligence, so I may be wrong here. But having him always use that to arrive at a conclusion cheapens the experience. Maybe that was his isekai power-up because, let’s accept facts, there’s always an isekai power-up — but it did feel like a cop-out at times.
Where Headhunted to Another World Fails
This show wasted Gnome’s character. That may be the epitome of “personal gripe,” but I’d argue all day over it. Demi-humans in this world are less skilled than demons, and whenever that’s the case, it breeds inequality. The show itself points out and hints at this. So why would Ulmandra, one of the series’ most high-powered demons, be the one to help Uchimura? That doesn’t make sense to me. Most of this world’s social issues stem from inequality, so why not place someone more familiar with those issues next to Uchimura?
That pairing would get more things done. Gnome seems to be able to let Uchimura shine, but maybe the author had a thing for redheaded lizards.
With shows like Headhunted to Another World, the story can become repetitive if the author incorrectly handles it. Unfortunately, this is the case here. It doesn’t dampen the show’s enjoyability too much, but you know everything will work out by the fourth episode. It’s lamentable to see a story could have diverged to avoid this.
Headhunted to Another World — It’s Still Worth Watching
Would I recommend this show? Yes, I would. Despite its less-than-favorable qualities, Salaryman ga Isekai ni Ittara Shitennou ni Natta Hanashi is a cozy watch. I’d give it an eight out of ten. Crunchyroll streams this anime, so go and check it out if you haven’t. The Headhunted to Another World is ongoing, so I hope we will get another season. But if we don’t, support Benigashira and pick up their manga.
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