​”Seventeen years ago, Takafumi's uncle fell into a coma, but now he's back like a man risen from his grave. Soon, Takafumi discovers two bizarre things: His uncle treasures video games above all else, and, while comatose, he was actually transported to another world as some heroic guardian! Now, not only does Takafumi have to room with an uncle who is literally magical, he also has to catch the guy up on two decades of history—smartphones, high-speed internet, modern anime tropes…and the traumatic outcome of the '90s console war!” (Yen Press)
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What happens after the isekai fantasy is over? “Uncle from Another World” follows an otaku launched into modern day after spending 17 years in a coma living the nerd dream, resulting in one of the best comedic set-ups in recent memory. Adding in a healthy dose of absurdity, the eccentric uncle shows that the years spent in a fantasy world did nothing to quell his toxic tendencies. Essentially, despite being given otherworldly powers, he is more concerned about the current state of Sega system and reader polls that ended over a decade a go.
This narrative and constant dive into nostalgia of popular media from the 90s allows the story to both poke fun of attitudes within fandom (arguments irrelevant and somewhat humorous with the passing of time), as well as revisit the beloved series through fresh eyes. Furthermore, the series does not just depend on hitting those nostalgic notes to draw in its fanbase. Essentially, past reflections work as punchlines to push the rather peculiar personality of the beloved elderly otaku. Overall, the set-ups for the jokes are simple but land thanks to its eccentric lead and how the modern family members react to his antics.
Visually, the work is rather crude and simple in design, and while this would regularly be a deterrent, the aesthetic gives an extra layer of comedic sting in portraying overreactions (think along the lines of ‘meme art' with roughly drawn over expressions). However, not all the art is presented in this manner as deviations into the Isekai realm are executed in clean fashion to highlight the contrast between the two worlds. Overall, the visuals in “Uncle From Another World” are not going to win over new fans, but it serves the story well in moments of absurdist humor.
Much to my delight, when looking into more information about the series, I learned that an anime adaptation is already in the works. This is no surprise, as the manga's comedic timing is impeccable and flashy – throw in deviations into fantasy and you have an idyllic set up for a comedy series. For those who love to read the manga in advance, this gives some nice extra incentive to explore the story prior to release. Regardless, it will be exciting to see how the series is adapted into a different medium.
“Uncle From Another World” is a clever concept that is executed with great comedic wit – both a parody and love letter to the isekai genre. Admittedly, the work is rough around the edges as not all jokes land and the art can be underwhelming, but not every comedy release is going to hit all the right notes. Regardless, “Uncle From Another World” is a highly enjoyable title that has potential to garner a cult fanbase, particularly in the way it pokes fun on the otakus of a bygone era – the counsel wars will never die!
