Way back when I was a kid, I was really fascinated with monsters. It always piqued my curiosity whenever there's something unusual happen. Whether it's a strange video sighting of some mythical beings from YouTube (which I later realized were fake) or odd gossips about the strange people in the woods, that stuff gets me really revved up. I even went on adventures alone deep in the woods just to search if mystical creatures do exist, but 'of course I didn't see any. Everything that's weird made me curious; even the taste of the strange fruit from the woods once tempted me (I did eat some tho), but that curiosity didn't last long because, as I grew up, I realized that there are a lot more things that's much scarier and more complicated than monsters.
People, oh people—they're much more complicated than them. The fact that all of us are different from each other was something that's really interesting, and when I finished watching this anime, it became more apparent how unique each person is. Because if all have the same brain, the same concept, and the same plot—who would make these weird yet entertaining lore? Oh, ok, I think I'm getting consumed with my musings, so before this gets deeper, join me as we trudge down to the dungeon where the strong gets to eat and the weak gets eaten in the Dungeon Meshi.
About the Anime
Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon) is a seinen anime that premiered in the winter of 2024. This anime aired from January 4, 2024, to June 13, 2024. Animated by Trigger, this anime has adventure, comedy, fantasy, and gourmet stuff in it. Each episode is 25 minutes long, and in total it has 24 episodes. This anime series was based on the completed manga written and illustrated by Ryouko Kui.
So it all started when Laios Touden's group was defeated by the red dragon they encountered on the lower level of the dungeon. With her last breath, his sister, Falin, saves them and sends them back to where they started. Shaken with both defeat and loss, some of their companions left them, and this leaves just the three of them: a tall man, a half-foot, and an elf. Before Falin gets fully digested, they certainly want to find her and bring her back to life, but since they're out of funds and equipment, they have no choice but to resort to one of the taboos—eating monsters.
With time as their enemy, they have no choice but to go with Laios' weird cooking. However, luckily, they met Senshi, an expert in monster cooking. He's been living in the dungeon for years, and this has made him very knowledgeable, not only on what monsters are safe to eat but also how the ecosystem of the dungeon works. After hearing what happened to them and the dire situation they're in, Senshi was convinced that they needed someone that could help them to have proper nourishment (and also he wanted to try cooking a red dragon). Now that they have a reliable addition in their small group, they set down again to the dungeon.
Together they venture the dungeon, navigating among its mysterious and dangerous paths. They slay every monster that may come in their path, and afterwards they make them into their meals. With Senshi's superb cooking skills and the dungeon's abundance of monsters, they never have a shortage of food. But hunger is the least concern they have as they descend towards the deepest part, for this mysterious dungeon has its perks and threats. It offers your desires, but it can also give you your greatest fear. It was both fascinating and dangerous, not only because of the various monsters that thrive in there.
Bonds will be tested as they get to know each other more in the dungeon, where hierarchy doesn't exist and only the living get the privilege to eat. Dungeon meshi. Oh, dungeon meshi.
I was kinda curious about the story of retrieving her sister back, but I didn't really expect much about it. I thought it would be another dramatic and sentimental story, but as soon as I watched it, I was caught off guard by its comedy. Like, are they supposed to be really stressed and agitated with how things fare for them? Laios witnessed his sister getting eaten by a dragon, but it seems he was just shocked then recovered later. The start was pretty heavy, but as soon as it progressed, the operation: find Falin became more like operation: slay and eat every monster they see. If you skipped the first episode, you'll really think that they're just adventurers who seek fun stuff and adventures in the dungeon.
The lore behind the dungeon was dark, and I can't wait to discover more about it in the next season. The abundance of different types of monsters from different mythologies really fascinates me. Also, I like how diverse the characters are. The MC was really the most unusual one among them because he's really an unpredictable one. His weird fascination for monsters is both endearing and off-putting sometimes. He's really optimistic and somehow good-natured, and I never saw him getting really dejected. That behavior made me wonder what thing would make him snap off. Anyway, so much for that—the way it ended showed really a promising good season two, so I was totally looking forward to it.
As for it's art style, it isn't that unique, but it's eye-pleasing. The character designs were interesting, and what really caught my attention is how Laios' body was portrayed. Since he's a big eater, I'm somehow pleased that he's drawn in a most logical way (well, anyway, I don't really recall a lot of really toned and muscly characters there). The color palette they use was also easy on the eyes, especially the pastel colors they use in the second opening.
Also, its animation was cool! The action scenes were really enjoyable. How they animated the weird movements of the characters in their comedic gags was funny and entertaining. Further, the way they portrayed the dungeon and monsters was somehow unusual for me because usually monsters in other animes were portrayed as really hideous and scary. However, this anime made me see that although monsters are somewhat scary, some or most of them were really cool and kinda cute! (only there, perhaps...)
The soundtrack was fine, though I find the first opening quite bland. The second opening is quite catchy and better, but the first one offers more foreshadowing, tho. I think the ending songs were supposed to be opposite of the opening song because the first opening song is laid back while its first ending song is catchy. On the other hand, the second opening song is catchy, while it's second ending song is laidback, but overall those songs contributed to setting up a lighthearted mood, which matches its cute artstyle. The background music also did a good job of enhancing the emotions and mood of the scenes. The sound effects were well utilized as well, and it did add to the entertaining factor of those action scenes.
Overall, my personal rating for this anime is 9/10. I personally enjoyed watching this anime, and I think most lovers of fantasy and adventures would love this one. The characters were not your usual ones; they're not perfect nor bad, but certainly for me they all have endearing sides that you'll like. Since it has gourmet in its genre, naturally there's a little bit (or a tad more) cooking demos. It's oddly satisfying to see them cook monsters into delicious meals, and that seeing them eat those made me somehow curious on how they really taste (lol).
By and by, this anime is one of the must-watch anime this 2024; the mix of dark lore and lighthearted comedies did end up well, and if you're into weird characters and dungeon adventures, then waste no time and watch Dungeon Meshi before this year ends!
Before I end this review, I happily share with you its trailer, so—
Have you watched this anime already? Or is this your first time reading about it? Feel free to share your thoughts. That's all for now, and I hope you enjoyed reading my review. Before I forgot, Merry Christmas minna-san! Wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday!!
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne~
The pictures that didn't have source were screenshots from the anime while the last picture was edited in Canva.