Steven Reynolds 
Delicious in Dungeon is a must watch for any fantasy anime fan — especially one who loves food
Delicious in Dungeon, or Dungeon Meshi as it’s also known as, is a delightful romp through a world where the phrase “eat or be eaten” takes on a whole new meaning.
The incredibly popular anime follows the adventures of a group of adventurers who find themselves in a bit of a culinary pickle after a dragon eats their supplies.
In a stroke of genius (or madness, depending on who you ask), they decide to survive by eating the monsters they encounter in the dungeon. It’s like Bear Grylls meets Dungeons & Dragons, with a dash of Iron Chef thrown in for good measure.
The plot of Delicious in Dungeon
The plot is a delightful mix of action, adventure, and culinary exploration.
Each episode not only advances the overarching story of the group’s quest to save Laios’ sister Falin, who has been eaten by a dragon (dragons digest their food slowly, it seems), but also delves into the specifics of cooking and eating the monsters they encounter as they travel further down into the depths of the dungeon.
The anime is a unique twist on the traditional dungeon exploration narrative, and it’s executed with a level of humor and wit that keeps you coming back for more.
Who are the Delicious in Dungeon main characters?
The characters are a motley crew of adventurers, each with their own unique quirks and culinary skills (well, maybe not Marcille!).
Laios, the leader of the group, is a knight who’s more interested in the culinary possibilities of monsters than in slaying them. Obsessed with food, he can’t wait to start cooking the monsters he comes across.
Marcille is a half-elf magician who’s a bit squeamish about the whole “eating monsters” thing but comes around eventually.
Chilchuck is a thief who’s always on the lookout for the next meal, and Senshi, who the other three come across in the dungeon early in the first episode, is a dwarf who’s an expert in cooking techniques for monsters.
Each has extremely strong personalities, that occasionally see them at odds with each other. But together, they make a team that’s as entertaining as they are effective.
Delicious in Dungeon‘s art style and animation
The art style and animation in the Delicious in Dungeon anime are top-notch.
The character designs are detailed and expressive, and the environments are rich and immersive.
The animation quality is also consistent throughout each episode, and particularly shines during the action sequences, which helps provide a visually satisfying experience.
The culinary scenes are particularly impressive, with detailed depictions of the cooking process of each monster, and final dishes that are sure to make your mouth water as the art style is beautiful. (see above)
What are the strengths of the Delicious in Dungeon anime?
The major strengths of Delicious in Dungeon include its unique premise (I’ve watched thousands of anime, and never seen one just like this before), engaging characters, and a fun blend of action and culinary arts.
The series offers a fresh take on the dungeon exploration genre and provides a rich world filled with interesting creatures and environments.
The character development is also a strong point, with each character having their own distinct personality and backstory that, as you get to know more about them, really do explain why they currently feel and behave as they do.
Witty dialogue and clever gags are also the anime’s forte. Especially when it comes to the banter that occurs daily between the main party members.
Delicious in Dungeon also does a wonderful job of mixing touching or thought-provoking moments with incredibly funny events — like when Marcille is being chased by a basilisk and the other three are hiding in the bushes, commentating on her running around, as Laios explains “Bad escape technique.”
He then saves Marcille by screaming hysterically at the basilisk while making himself look as big as possible (see above).
The weaknesses of Delicious in Dungeon
To be fair, while I don’t see many weaknesses in the anime myself, I can see why some people would be less than happy with a couple of things.
First, some viewers might find the pacing to be slow at times, as the series takes its time to explore the culinary aspects of the narrative, with the adventuring sometimes taking a backseat to the food.
That culinary obsession could potentially be annoying to some viewers, who prefer a straight-forward fantasy adventure without a cooking angle.
But… the anime is called Delicious in Dungeon so if that aspect of its plot isn’t your thing, you may not want to start it.
Also, as the plot involves Laios, Marcille, Chilchuck and Senshi being financially destitute much of the time, it also means they struggle to survive their dungeon quest.
In other words, they don’t become any stronger than they already are physically, as their emphasis is on cooking more than killing.
If you enjoy a fantasy anime with a more overpowered hero/heroes then, this one may not be for you.
Overall though, Delicious in Dungeon is a unique and engaging anime that offers a fresh take on the dungeon exploration genre.
Its blend of action, fantasy, and culinary arts, along with its well-crafted and often quite crazy characters and detailed world-building, make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
You can watch the anime series now via Netflix.
About the Author
Michelle Topham 
