A Netflix Series
What if you played professional baseball?
Come on. You could earn millions just by throwing balls 1,000 miles an hour.
With magic.
I always hated those baseball players back in high school.
-They acted like they were hot stuff. -How about--
Granted, I understand how hard they worked all day, under that scorching sun.
I totally get it.
They put in the hard work every day.
Uncle.
I get it because I also put in the same amount of work.
For six years, I spent every day honing my skills in Alien Soldier.
I'm surprised this guy even survived high school.
Apologize to those baseball players right now.
UNCLE: YOU'RE FINE THE WAY YOU ARE
GET HOME
SOLD CHEAPER THAN A SCOURING PAD
JUNE, 2018
I find baseball terms
to be way more unsettling compared to other sports, you know?
Oh, yeah. Kind of like dead ball or sacrifice.
-Strike outs. Oh, and pick offs. -All that.
It reminds me, that time I was almost assassinated.
-What? -What? Geez. Talk about a curve ball.
Icuras elran.
I remember I was exhausted after just finishing a dungeon.
Hmm?
Hold on. Isn't that…
I think I saw them when you broke the barrier in Luvaldram.
I saw them when you were with Elf too.
Oh, man. You're right.
So you did have someone stalking you.
Think so?
I have him.
Huh?
Oh, Mabel.
Hey. What's up?
Oh.
I've been just grand since you defeated the legendary blaze dragon
without the god-freezing sword,
and I lost my ancestral duty to protect it.
I've honestly never been better. Thank you so much.
You're my favorite hero. Thank you!
Oh, that's awesome. It was worth the hard work then.
Yes. Yes!
He's not picking up on the sarcasm.
Oh, no! Mabel's life is totally spiraling out of control because of what he did!
Why? Why didn't you take the sword?
I can sense it.
Things are always trying to kill me, like I'm inside a Psikyo game.
But I don't really sense any murderous intent here.
Actually, you look pretty pale. Have you been eating enough?
I can't do it because you saved our village from the blaze dragon.
Mabel just kind of passed out on me.
So I took her to the inn.
Don't drag her.
Hmm.
Where am I?
You're at the inn. Here.
Hey, didn't you say that you were going to be a shut-in at home?
When I got home, my house was stripped down.
The village elder told me to pay for my own room and board.
MABEL - MANU
It was that, or they'd banish me.
Oh, man. That's really cold.
It was all their built-up resentment towards the Ice clan.
Well, so, what did you end up choosing?
I froze the villagers' feet to the ground,
and dripped freezing water down all their necks.
Ugh. Everyone?
All 108.
I respect the commitment.
But I can't go home.
Why do you hate the idea of working that much?
It's just…
Being a florist always surrounded by flowers,
or a baker always getting to try new cakes,
or always cuddling dolls at the doll store.
I can't handle such grueling labor.
It'd kill me.
How's any of that grueling?
Those jobs aren't intense at all.
I get it.
Working in an office every single day, getting drinks with coworkers afterward…
I can't imagine doing all that.
So Uncle's nightmare is just having a job?
I guess life was easier back then.
LIFE WAS ROUGH BACK THEN TOO
But now, I live my life as a wild, bold adventurer.
It's the only job that could help me find a way back to my own world.
Amazing.
I wish that I could have a goal like that.
Hmm? Amazing? Well, you are talking
to the man who speed ran Alien Soldier in 30 minutes back home, okay?
Aw. Is that really good?
Oh, absolutely.
I use everything I learned in games to help me on my adventures.
-Hmm. Did he say his own world? -So, if you've been a guardian
your entire life, you could earn a living using the god-freezing sword.
I mean, freezing their feet was pretty impressive.
Uh, a guardian like me using the god-freezing sword?
-But for the last 400 years-- -Like I said, who cares what they say?
It's your life.
You should do whatever you want.
Being brave enough to be our truest self is real strength.
You still remembered that?
Okay, then. Maybe I'll look for a way to completely break the ice seal.
Oh, I went to the powa-powa blossoms on Mount Marchid afterwards,
but nothing happened.
Oh, really?
The sealing ice is deeply connected to my heart.
I think maybe if I strike out on my own, I'll be less gloomy.
It might just work.
Gloomy?
You seem very nice and happy to me. You're not gloomy.
I-- I am, though.
The villagers would always tell me I was sad and depressing.
See, my eyes are always puffy.
That's not true. You're just fine.
You're super fun to talk to,
and your eyes are like Heather from Dynamite Headdy.
-You know? -No, what are you--
What are you saying?
Oh, I forgot. The ring.
Huh?
It'll support you for the rest of your life.
I wanted to take responsibility for ruining your livelihood, you see?
Please take it.
What? Rest of my life? What?
What the hell is this old man doing?
Well, that's twice.
You were sleeping when I put it on.
Oh! But, um-- Uh, sorry.
I really admire you, but not in that way.
I can't accept this from you.
I hope you understand. I'm very sorry.
Look at the sword!
The ice in her heart must have melted!
I insist. Take it.
Oh! No, I can't.
Wait, I-- I turned it down, didn't I? Wait. Hold on.
I don't understand. I said, "No."
Wait. Didn't I say "no"? I thought I did.
-What happened? -I found it.
Today, while I was in the dungeon.
It must've been fate or something, right?
They say there are only seven cosmite rings in the world.
-Uh… -Please accept it.
It's too valuable.
By the way, it's already so late.
-You should stay the night. -Huh?
Yeah. The bed is too cramped for two people.
But the Elf should have a room.
-I'll ask if you can stay with her. -Excuse me?
Huh?
Could you lend me some money for the public bathhouse?
It's been a long time since I've had a bath.
Why? Do you smell?
You do smell kinda earthy, but it's not bad!
Don't sniff me, please! Stop it!
Besides, if you really need money for a bath, you can just sell the ring.
Huh? Sell it?
Oh, yeah.
Like I said earlier, it will support you the rest of your life.
Just sell it.
Oh.
What's up, orc face? It's nighttime.
What kind of nasty little orc things are you getting up to in here?
Do you want-- Do you want me to help you fall asleep? Huh?
I guess I'm not good enough for him.
Hey, Elf. Give me a hand, will you?
I've got a lot going on here.
I see.
Wait. Stop!
I used the spirits too much in the dungeon, so I can't defend myself.
Hmm.
And so, instead of being assassinated,
I was frozen in ice until the morning. It's awful.
-Sure, man. -Whatever you say.
I mean, it was your fault.
That's amazing, Uncle.
You can beat Alien Soldier in 30 minutes?
29 minutes 29 seconds.
I played it nonstop.
Wow.
The key is not using the easy Homing Force,
but to rush through early stages with the Ranger Force instead.
Oh. I found a video of someone beating it in 12 minutes.
Damn Internet.
Hey, it's not the Internet's fault. You know that.
Oh. Speaking of the Internet,
what are these North American versions of games I keep seeing online, huh?
Oh, that's the region code.
See, the same game will have different languages depending on the market region.
You know, my English isn't the strongest,
but I can basically understand the beginning of Altered Beast.
It's just like, "Go forth. Defeat the evil."
-Stuff like that. -Oh, uh, wait.
I'll translate it.
Rise from your grave.
Your grave?
The hero was dead in that the whole time?
Yeah. You didn't understand the story at all.
Why not?
-Maybe it's the Other World blood. -Wait, they're talking.
I think it's because he's the same as the forefathers of the Ice clan.
An interdimensional traveler from Nihon Bahamal.
Wait, did she just…
ALL CREATION - RESIDENCE ICE STORM
I heard her say "Nihon Bahamal."
-Huh? -Wait, she knows about Japan?
Let's take a look at it.
I'm sorry to hear that he put a ring on you while you were sleeping as well.
I know being forcefully proposed to by an orc in your sleep is traumatizing.
No one will ever want to touch a woman who's been married to a dirty orc.
But I wouldn't worry about it too much.
You-- You don't seem too worried about it. Why not?
Maybe it's the Other World blood.
I think it's because he's the same as the forefathers of the Ice clan.
An interdimensional traveler from Nihon Bahamal.
Oh, I see now.
They had this conversation while I was standing there frozen.
They are talking about Japan, though, right?
Raybelio yuul elran.
A knight founded the Ice clan 400 years ago.
He came from Nihon Bahamal.
The knight died in a great war in Nihon Bahamal,
and received a new life and body in Granbahamal.
Then God appeared before him and said,
"Traveler, I shall give you one power to survive this harsh world. Name it."
The clever knight already had his answer.
"Give me a blade that could kill a god like you."
A starting bonus from a deity?
An Other World fantasy standard!
And the warrior's reply was so cool.
Then what?
And so, this god responded to him,
"You wish for the power to kill a god?
Interesting. However"--
More importantly, does that ugly orc face look like a normal human to you?
-"Interesting." -Tell me, idiot.
-"Interesting." -Stop it!
-"Interesting." -You're kidding me.
Uh, it was about to get interesting.
-Could you please be patient? -I know this story.
I read about this when I was a kid. Shoo, shoo.
Gets the sword, gains all knowledge and language,
falls in love with the village priestess, breaks the sword's seal,
and slays the legendary blaze dragon.
Then the sword is passed down for generations, right?
She spoiled all the big moments in the story?
Now tell me.
How do you truly feel about orc face?
Telling that story was the only thing I was confident about.
I worked really hard to practice.
Oh, I'm so sorry. Please don't cry.
There, there. It's okay. It's okay.
I got nothing.
-What? -What's that?
Why didn't I get my own god-freezing sword when I went there?
I just assumed that your magic powers were your starting bonus, weren't they?
I didn't get a bonus.
And I didn't even talk to any gods.
Oh, let's watch when you first appeared in Other World.
-Eighteen years ago? -That's it.
Eighteen years ago!
Can you even remember that far back?
Searching for it's gonna be a real pain, honestly.
Uh, okay…
Lynch mob, execution, torture…
-You seem way too casual about this. -Oh, yeah.
My uncle was being hunted because people thought he was an orc.
For real?
-And found it! -Oh!
You dirty orc! You were going to eat our precious cow!
No, Uncle, I don't think that's it.
Is it this?
Purify this evil orc who violates our doctrines.
No, that's the never-ending water pot one.
-It is this? -Nope.
-This? -No!
This?
Why were you hunted so much, man?
Once I fall asleep, it's impossible to wake me up.
If they get me in my sleep, it's super easy to string me up.
I can't believe you made it back alive.
Huh? Wait, what's this?
A skeleton?
It's a resurrection spell you find in holy magic.
But I never saw it done until much later.
Why is it happening in an old memory?
Whoa. Wait. That's you at 17?
When you first got there?
I see.
So that's how my body was actually made in Granbahamal.
Does that mean God made his body?
Yeah, it looks that way.
I got mistaken for an orc and beaten up here.
I didn't understand their language, so I thought they were mugging me.
But then they mistook my money for attack spell cards.
January, 2000.
I was heading to the game store to spend all my holiday money
when I got into that accident. And then this.
What game was I going to buy?
Man, this is getting kinda sad.
Huh? Hold on. Do you hear something?
Huh? Is that God's voice?
Well, hold on. Let me turn it up.
God is Chinese?
I think this god somehow got the region code wrong!
Hey, guys. Chill out, will ya? I mean, I'm getting beaten up here.
Uncle, rewind it and I'll use the translation app.
Okay.
Dear customers and friends. Good day to you.
-I welcome you to Granbahamal. -A store announcement?
It sounds prerecorded.
They said, "Grant you power." Maybe it's like Mabel said then.
I see. So whatever I wished for then became my power.
Oh, this is when you awakened!
When you gained your magic and became unbeatable, right?
I assume you wished for the power to massacre these human pieces of garbage?
Or did you ask for the strength to erase these bastards? Did you? Huh?
Ta-- Takafumi, do you need to talk to someone about something?
HIS FAMILY FELL APART
Actually, I'm pretty sure the only thing I was thinking…
If only…
If only we spoke the same language…
Yeah. That's what I was thinking.
Understood. I have granted you your wish.
It says, "Understood. I have decided to grant you your one wish.
Travel to Mount Dordo to gain any additional knowledge you may require."
That's it.
So, your only power is translating?
-Oh, I see. -That's so lame.
So, my bonus was being able to understand the Other World language, right?
I don't know, man. Maybe you were supposed to learn the Other World language
from this Mount Dordo?
…am not…
I'm not an orc!
Oh, that's amazing.
You managed to work it all out.
From what I've seen so far, that's pretty rare for you.
No.
You know, they actually sold me to a freak show as a rare speaking orc.
-Oh. -Oh.
I was sold for only three copper pieces.
-And then, I was-- -Stop right there, Uncle!
I need to get a coffee.
Make that two.
Oh, that's a great idea.
I can use a refill.
It was like the god of that world
had lost the passion for their one job.
And the Other World people were just as awful.
I knew there'd be more unpleasant stories.
So we took a coffee break.
-Mmm. Beany. -That's good beans.
Wonderful depth of flavor.