A young tapir-like creature from the planet Baku immigrates to Earth after his home world runs out of dreams, the essential food his species needs to survive. He arrives in Tokyo hoping to be met by his uncle, but instead finds himself alone and struggling to navigate a strange and often unwelcoming new world. The story follows Baku-chan as he comes to live with Hana, a human girl who moved to Tokyo from Nagoya, and attempts to gain permanent residency through labor while adapting to the daily surprises and cultural shocks of life on Earth.

As Baku-chan adjusts to his new life, he quickly discovers that the challenges of being an immigrant extend beyond learning local customs. He faces discrimination, thoughtless violence, and social pressure to conform, reflecting the real-world experiences of displaced people trying to build a new home. These hardships are balanced by moments of humor and beauty, as Baku-chan finds support not only from Hana but also from other friendly Earthlings and fellow immigrants who share his struggles. One of his immigrant friends, a fellow Baku native named Daifuku who grew up on Earth, poignantly expresses the feeling of having nowhere to truly call home.

A notable emotional arc occurs when Baku-chan asks his Earthling friend Sally, who has lived on Earth for 27 years, if she likes the planet. Her somber response, I have no choice, highlights the deep sense of alienation that can persist even after long-term residence. Throughout the narrative, Baku-chan grows from a lost and lonely newcomer into a resilient individual, clinging to his dreams even as he navigates a harsh reality that is quite different from what he expected. The story is rooted in the author's own experiences as an immigrant in Canada, using a fantastical lens to pose pointed questions about society, belonging, and the search for a place to call home.