Food manga 'Uchūjin Pekoran no Chikyū Ura Meshi Chōsa' launches on DMM Books and Renta!

The manga Uchūjin Pekoran no Chikyū Ura Meshi Chōsa (Alien Pekoran's Secret Earth Food Investigation) is now available on DMM Books and Renta!. The series by Mitsunanae began early distribution on November 11 through the Calcomi label.

Calcomi defines itself as a light-reading label, made to go with everyday life. The premise of this title fits that idea: a sci-fi comedy focused on food, ranging from the most well-known local dishes to the less-traveled culinary corners.

A student, an alien, and a lot of hunger

The protagonist is Kanta Iiyori, a university student obsessed with food. He travels alone because he can't find anyone to share that passion with. His routine changes when Pekoran appears, a food analyst sent from the planet Pekopeko, who speaks in Kansai dialect.

Pekoran's official mission is to revive the culinary culture of his planet, which is in decline. His real motivation is simpler: he wants to eat everything good he finds on Earth. The two connect immediately and form an odd pair that the work itself describes as "food friends." Their shared appetite becomes the key to saving Pekopeko.

The publisher describes the series as a "sci-fi food terrorism comedy," a label that plays with the idea of visually attacking the reader through appetizing dishes. The Japanese term meshi tero is used for that type of content that makes whoever consumes it hungry.

"Pekoran's mission is to revive the culinary culture of Pekopeko, but in reality he just wants to eat delicious things."

The cast is limited to two main characters. Kanta Iiyori brings the culinary knowledge and the fanatic's obsession. Pekoran adds the outside perspective of a visitor discovering Earth's food for the first time, with the frankness his Kansai dialect gives him.

Distribution and format

The series is published under the Calcomi label and starts with early distribution on two digital platforms: DMM Books and Renta!. The original title plays with the word ura, which means "secret" or "hidden," and which here refers to both lesser-known dishes and the hidden side of local gastronomy.

The chapter schedule and total planned length have not been detailed. Mitsunanae has also not made public statements about the project in the initial announcement.

Does the combination of food and sci-fi catch your attention? Tell us in the comments if you plan to give Pekoran's food tour a chance.