This review is spoilerfree. 120328120372 120372120354120373120362120372120359120378120362120367120360 120354120372 120354 120359120362120367120358 120355120354120367120370120374120358120373... Fantasy as a genrehttps://anilist.co/search/anime/Fantasy has become something of a crutch over the years. What was once a banquet of ingenuity and a feast for the imagination full of wonder magic and otherwordly creatures has now become nothing more than a shadow of its former self. Too many stories barely nibble around the edges of the genres potential and serve the exact same old reheated and lukewarm concepts to the viewers over and over again. However it is not all doom and gloom. Even though the number of bland monotonous and cookiecutter products labelling themselves as fantastical is constantly growinghttps://anilist.co/search/anime?genres=Isekai there is still hope for the genre. This is precisely where Dungeon Meshi comes into play as it repeatedly demonstrates how much flavour the fantasy genre has within its insides and how delicious its content can be if you give it enough attention care and time. Though on the surface the show seems like your average runofthemill isekaiesque mishmash of ingredients with no interesting tricks or twists up its sleeves we quickly realise that is not the case here. There is much more to it beneath its unassuming appearance and rough texture. 700https://i.ur.com/8lEJNoB.png It is the very foundation of the anime that is its most delectable feature by far. Dungeon Meshi does not shy away from its Tolkieninspired rootshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highfantasy DDhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons26Dragonslike backdrop and RPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roleplayingvideogameesque framework. Instead it displays them proudly like a chef boasting a Michelin starhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MichelinGuide. However rather than relying on the wornout wellknown and morethanobvious tropes and concepts to do the trick without doing anything noteworthy it thinks outside the lunchbox in a delightfully fresh and spicy manner. You see my dear reader as far as other stories are concernedhttps://anilist.co/search/anime?genres=Dungeon they very sporadically or never explore and examine the ins and outs of the ancient monsterriddled monuments. Typically these places are merely used as grounds for scavaging precious loot from bygone civilisations exterminating mythical monsters or exploring for the thrill of itnothing more. Sure we might get a lick of their backstory learning how they came to be and what they were in the past but this is often done in a shallow sterilised and undercooked manner that produces more questions than answers. Dungeons are just dungeons as simple as that is the conclusion many come to. But is that really all there is to them? Nope not at all. Even the dullest dreariest and dumbest of ruins can be successfully transmuted into magical fascinating strongholds filled to the brim with intoxicating mysteries effervescent corridors and lavish surroundings that will punch you in the gut and leave you hungry for more. So how does Dungeon Meshi dish up the secrets of these ancient mazes? That is quite simple really: by having its protagonists chow down on the fantastical beings and animals they slay along the way Yes that is the entire premise of the series. It might sound silly gimmicky even but it is surprisingly not just that. We are not merely supplied with 20 or so episodes of nonstop monster munching with nothing of substance sandwiched in between. As unique as it sounds the premise alone would not make the anime this entertaining endearing and enchanting. Thankfully the mere act of slaying otherworldly organisms and transforming their bodies into gourmet dishes is just the appetiser. There is a whole lot more on the menu. The real secret sauce is the shows mouthwatering hungerproducing knack for breathing life into its settingwhenever the characters reach a new layer of the dungeon they are greeted with a completely unique climate atmosphere and vegetation. Early on they wander through cosy welcoming and rather unassuming environments that seem harmless at first glance. For instance one of the initial levels is entirely comprised of trees and natureinspired enemies. Although it is still part of the titular building and should not be underestimated the way it looks does not instil a sense of danger within us just yet. In a way we can tell we are merely stuffing our faces with an easily digestible lunch waiting for the main course to burst onto the scene and spice things up. Soon our wishes come to fruition the further we descend the harsher more vicious and increasingly exciting the wretched monument becomes. One level is dominated by bodies of water full of aquatic enemies that force the protagonists to cook up creative solutions to deal with these obstacles. There is a castle level packed with haunted paintings treasure monsters and moving armour where even a single piece of furniture could be a trap waiting to bite. Then there is a gigantic ghost town oozing with eerieness and uneasiness. There is even a level completely covered in snow and ice which will surely send a shiver down your spineboth figuratively and literally. With that said it is not just the dungeons multilayered structure that made me fall head over heels in love with it many smaller elements add even more flavour to the structure thus making it feel much more livedin than it looks. For example plenty of spots are created to allow adventurers to rest restock and reorganise their freshly obtained loot. In a place bustling with people of different kinds and backgrounds it only makes sense that they set up campgrounds to better prepare themselves for the lower levels or trade with others for food money or equipment they may be in dire need of. It is an extremely trivial and insignificant detail yes but it is tough not to appreciate such cool features. Additionally every nook and cranny of the dungeon is home to inhabitants who are as different as apples and oranges. Monster A lives only on Level X Monster B is found exclusively on Level Y and Monster C only roams the depths of Level Zthis simple concept creates a habitat that feels selfsustaining selfdeveloping and harmoniously cohesive. While a lot of tales toss the fiercest monsters into the lower levels of their respective ancient constructions they rarely chew on the consequences of these creatures presence. In Dungeon Meshi the absence of a smaller fry leads to a shortage of mediumsized monsters which might force the bigger beasts to stray into other parts of the labyrinth in search of food. I wholeheartedly adore this detail because it subtly and intriguingly mirrors reallife food chains and represents how an organic animal kingdom operates. When a predator notices its usual prey is scarce it expands its hunting grounds in search of other means of nutrition. It is as logical as it is satisfying and I am all for it. All of this makes the ecosystem seem tangible and realistic without doing anything out of the ordinary. Yes in a vacuum these elements might not seem that impressive but if you take a step back and look at the entire picture you will swiftly realise that without them the dungeonthe star of this cooking showlike narrativewould be a rather uninteresting drab and boring location. But hey a fantastic foundation like this is only a part of what makes this series as fullbodied as it is. https://i.ur.com/c9PfWd7.mp4 So what about the plot? What is simmering beneath the wacky premise? Well like I mentioned earlier eating monsters and exploring the dungeon are just parts of the storyline. In a way they are the ingredients of the animes body that put it on the map and set it apart from the competition. To be honest the plot starts off rather slowly like a pot warming up on a low flame. We get to know the characters understand the situation they are in learn about their goals and see how they plan to tackle them. The episodes go by and they tend to follow the same formula of goofing around fighting and cooking with some variations in the actual plot progression. Nevertheless this somewhat playful facade quickly melts away and the show begins serving us genuinely impactful contentboth emotionally and conceptually. Suddenly we are not just watching a fantasy rendition of MasterChefhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MasterChef but a thrilling quest to uncover the mysteries surrounding the place its creators and what can be done to keep it in check while trying to save one of the main characters companions from the grisly fate they suffered at the hands of a red dragonhttps://anilist.co/character/130508/FalinThorden. This massive change in tone and vibe may leave some viewers gobsmacked and be incredibly confusing to others but all things considered it is quintessential to keeping the series excitingly fresh and introducing tangible stakes into the story at hand. For all intents and purposes these moments of heightened seriousness and intensity not only allow the viewers to savour the setting and the various concepts that populate it in a slightly different richer coating but also add much more gravitas to everything that occurs on the screen. While yes Dungeon Meshi contains a few pet peeves of mine like healing and resurrection magic they are not as disruptive and detrimental to the experience as they initially may seem as there is a lot more nuance to the whole magic system. Healing actually hurts and being brought back from the dead has its own set of consequences and drawbacks that depend on a plethora of circumstances. Overall the show triumphantly finds its emotional footing and it promptly engrosses you in the story it aims to tellit balances lighthearted charm with darker more serious moments in a way that is quite sensational and sparkling. However I feel like the series plot would not work as well as it does if the characters did not carry it on their backs the same way skilled chefs are able to bring out the best in their kitchen team. Laioshttps://anilist.co/character/126818/LaiosThorden Marcillehttps://anilist.co/character/127292/MarcilleDonato Chilchuckhttps://anilist.co/character/130509/ChilchuckTims and Senshihttps://anilist.co/character/127689/Senshi each bring something unique to the table and are fullyfleshed individuals with their own quirks easily distinguishable personalities backstories and motivations. While they may start off as a walkingtalking collection of tropes or gimmicky characteristics as time goes on Dungeon Meshi makes sure that they all get their moments to shine and develop into authentic and relatable people. Sooner rather than later the characters stop being just a bunch of loveable meatheads and become flesh and blood. You immediately become attached to them cheerfully following their antics appreciating their squeakyclean chemistry and feeling like you are a part of this familylike group of flawed people who care greatly about each other. It is that warmth that really pulls you in and does not let go. Much like a hearty campfire and a homey meal that relaxes your body after a challenging trek these seemingly mundane characters and their everyday adventures are what truly make this feel so cosy comfy and comforting. They are what makes Delicious in Dungeon really delicious. Naturally a great narrative deserves to have only topshelf production values at its disposal and Dungeon Meshis visuals and soundtrack definitely fit those criteria. When it comes to the various tracks that inhabit the scenes they fulfil their role rather well. Sure there might not be any standout songs in my eyes but none of them are illfitting or distracting either. The openinghttps://www..com/watch?v=602zt9l3Yk themeshttps://www..com/watch?v=asyTN1Ip70 are slow sweet and deliberate which perfectly embodies the sense of friendliness companionship and love the cast of characters radiates with. On the flip side the endings are either cheerful and celebratory the first halfhttps://www..com/watch?v=jio17jg980 or sombre melancholic and oddly nostalgic the second halfhttps://www..com/watch?v=8Uba6oz7AC8 setting the mood just right. Lastly the various insert songs we hear over the course of the shows run give off a strong fantasy vibe that really nails the tone at every turn. In other words the soundtrack is sweet inoffensive and does its job quite nicely. On the other hand the visuals are where all the juices are and they could not be better. The colour palette is downright gorgeous with a myriad of vibrant warm soft and almost pastellike hues that immediately and effortlessly immerse you in the vast glamorous world of magic monsters and meals. The same applies to the art style. Though it may seem quite mismatched or generic at first it uses its straightforward fascinating lines and designs to produce some genuinely striking imagery. The background art is gorgeous to look at and every single centimetre of the dungeons structure oozes with personality and life. The monsters designs are compelling and eyecatching the various locations spread throughout the dungeon are full of this majestic adventurous atmosphere and the character designs are instantly recognisable and memorable. Of course the animation is what ties all of it together and it is genuinely competent on all fronts. It is fluid and expressive to such a degree that even the most mundane and actiondeprived scenes are somehow a treat to watch. Additionally the camera work is wonderfully dynamic whenever a situation calls for it the editing does not allow for even a second of boredom to appear and the lightning further enhances the ambience of the eerie dungeon. All in all each component of the visuals comes together to produce some truly amazing screenshotworthy shots and scenes and they make the already comforting experience that much more worthwhile and exceptional. 700https://i.ur.com/TShwj1f.png That was a mouthful but I hope my ramblings at least sparked your interest in the show or allowed you to look at it with a fresh perspective in mind. There is a lot to love and admire about Dungeon Meshi. Certainly it is not perfect but the elements that are praiseworthy amazing and entertaining fire on all burners and provide us with a hearty helping of whimsical heartwarming and nutritious content that will stick with you for years to come. You can feel with every fibre of your being that it is made with love talent and passion and not churned out like yet another massproduced slop that we see every single season. In a nutshell Dungeon Meshi is a genuinely sweet and charming surprise I did not expect to love to such a degree. From the phenomenal worldbuilding seen in the dungeons layout ecosystem and foodchain to the joyful wholesome and endearing relationships and interactions between the characters this series time and time proves that confidence is key and even the most unassuming of textures can reveal a wonderful oneofakind flavour when you are willing to dig in. It is an incredibly lovely experience and you should have a bite as well. Bon Appetit ...120354120367120357 120354120372 120356120368120366120359120368120371120373120362120367120360 120354120372 120354 120376120354120371120366 120355120365120354120367120364120358120373.