English Dub Review: Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon “The Vending Machine Travels”

Overview

Based on the Japanese light novel series written by Hirukuma and illustrated by Itsuwa Kato. The story follows a nameless individual who after his untimely death, finds himself in another world, reincarnated as a vending machine of all things… Now his life revolves around selling things to people, but he’s stuck in the middle of nowhere with no sign of any customers and limited forms of communication…

Our Take

After a freak accident involving a vending machine, a nameless dude reincarnates into another world as one himself. He discovers he contains options to upgrade himself from points accumulated by customers spending money. Unfortunately, it also costs points to charge his power supply and without a customer, he will lose power in one month. He is attacked by frog-like monsters but discovers a blessing from God that generates a protective barrier. Eventually, a human hunter named Lammis appears. She develops a way of communicating in which his stock phrases mean other things.

As her blessing is strength, Lammis decides to carry him, revealing they are in a dungeon on a secure level where adventurers have built a village. Lammis decides to show him to her friend Hulemy on the surface, but without money for the teleportation circle, she takes him to an inn where her friend Munami works. Lammis intends to earn money for the teleportation. Meanwhile, the new vending machine becomes popular with adventurers and he gains many points, allowing him to upgrade his items. Lammis acquires a frame to carry him on her back and proceeds to give him a name…

Overall, I don’t know how to feel about this yet. It somehow tops being reincarnated as a Spider in terms of ridiculousness, and the strange implications and possibilities of a sentient Vending machine in an otherworldly fantasy setting seem compelling enough to keep watching. So far any food/drinks that are used don’t leave litter behind as it magically disappears overtime whenever the bottles & packaging are empty, He’s able to change certain types of currency and much like the video game mechanics of a JRPG, his lifespan hinges on a “Points” system which is kinda weird. Also, I’m left wondering if the Vending Machine will learn more speech commands. There is much room for further comedy so not a bad watch for now it seems. I’m definitely interested in world-building, even with its unique protagonist. Let’s see what happens next!