Summary
Delicious in Dungeon stands out from isekai anime in its world-building with in-depth science behind the monsters and politics. Delicious in Dungeon also avoids many of the video game-themed tropes that have become cliches in isekai, instead taking inspiration from TTRPGs. The success of Delicious in Dungeon is a sign that fantasy anime is moving away from the isekai genre, and that fantasy anime doesn’t need a reincarnation story to succeed.
A quite famous anime series is currently airing on Netflix is by Studio Trigger Delicacies in the dungeon. The anime follows protagonist Laios and his group of adventurers as they traverse the dungeon to revive Laios’ sister after she was eaten by a fearsome red dragon and survive the dungeon with limited funds. . To increase their chances of survival, Laios convinces people to eat the monsters they encounter, something Laios claims he was just looking for an excuse to do.
If there’s anything to take away from Delicious in Dungeon’s popularity, it’s that it’s a sign that anime is moving into a fantasy genre that’s evolving beyond its isekai staples. Besides the fact that Delicious in Dungeon is a rare fantasy anime without isekai gimmicks, by Netflix Delicacies in the dungeon goes against the typical staples of isekai anime through its handling of monsters and gameplay elements.
The isekai genre doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, but Delicious in Dungeon shows a new willingness to not rely too much on it.
Delicious in Dungeon’s Worldbuilding puts it above typical Isekai anime
Produced by Studio Trigger, based on the original manga by Ryoko Kui
One of the most notable differences between Delicious in Dungeon and typical isekai anime is the thought and care that Delicious in Dungeon puts into its world-building. Most isekai anime focus primarily on the characters and the often overpowered abilities the protagonist develops, so the inner workings of the fantasy world are often underdeveloped, if they get any anything. Delicacies in the dungeonHowever, it delves into the biology of monsters by exploring the proper ways to kill and eat themand that adds more of a fantasy setting than most isekai anime.
Of course, Delicious in Dungeon’s excellent world-building goes beyond the biology of the monsters. Classic fantasy monsters like basilisks, golems, and undines are given unique and often humorous touches in their standard depictions, and Delicacies in the dungeon even adds a political angle to the story through race relations and having the characters try to take control of the dungeon. It’s with those elements and others that Delicious in Dungeon’s world-building becomes much more developed than typical isekai anime, and that will surely only increase as the story continues.
Delicious In Dungeon Avoids Isekai Anime’s Video Game Aesthetics
While clearly inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and other TTRPGs, the series keeps humor to a minimum
What also sells Delicious in Dungeon’s world-building is how it avoids the typical video game aesthetic of isekai anime. A common element in isekai anime is to have the powers of the main character and others follow video game mechanics with things like status screens and characters talking about skills and leveling up, and often having very little change in expression. Delicacies in the dungeonmeanwhile, never uses the typical video game mechanics seen in isekai and other cartoonsinstead simply having the characters engage in a Dungeons & Dragons-style TTRPG aesthetic, thus making it feel much more engaging than its contemporaries.
NetflixDelicious in Dungeon’s video game aesthetic also plays into its great character writing. Many isekai anime have their entire writing and dialogue revolve around video game mechanics, thus making the characters feel hollow, but Delicacies in the dungeonVideo game elements are simply backdrops to the world rather than the main focus, and it always makes the characters feel more engaging. They all demonstrate the excellence of the overall world-building within Delicacies in the dungeon it is, and it would be a breath of fresh air to see more anime like it instead of the typical isekai stuff.
Delicacies in the dungeon Netflix releases new episodes every Thursday.