Hifumi Asakura is a Japanese writer known for creating the original story behind the manga and anime series The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World. Asakura began writing the story as a web novel in September 2017, publishing it on the user-generated content platform Shousetsuka ni Narou. The series concluded its initial run on the website in June 2021.

The story’s popularity led to a print publication. The light novel edition, illustrated by Yamakawa, was published by SB Creative under its Tugikuru Books imprint, with three volumes released from May 2018 to April 2019. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Umiharu, was serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly GFantasy magazine from April 2019 to May 2024, spanning eight volumes. An anime television adaptation produced by East Fish Studio aired from January to April 2025. In all cases, Asakura is credited as the original author or writer of the underlying work.

The narrative for which Asakura is known centers on Kenichi Hamada, a middle-aged man transported to a fantasy world who retains the ability to use an online shopping site from Earth. This premise defines the creative identity of the work, focusing on themes of commerce, slow living, and the application of modern conveniences in a pre-industrial setting. Asakura’s contributions are foundational to a media franchise that expanded from a web novel to a published light novel series, a long-running manga, and a television anime adaptation.