By
Vanessa Piña
Published 44 minutes ago
Vanessa Piña has been an anime writer at ScreenRant since 2024. She is freelance writer who worked as a copywriter and proofreader before deciding to write for her favorite series as an anime journalist. At ScreenRant, she focuses on timely coverage of the latest anime releases and updates on popular franchises.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapFrieren: Beyond Journey's End reached the top of the ratings and is even considered by many one of the best anime in history. However, although it offers a completely different view on adventure than Frieren, when it comes to the best fantasy anime available on Netflix, Delicious in Dungeon takes the crown with flying colors.
In a time when the anime fantasy genre is oversaturated with isekai-esque works that lack the magical appeal of classics such as Record of the Lodoss War, both Delicious in Dungeon and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End brought something new to the table. Yet, Delicious in Dungeon dominates when considering which anime better depicts everyday life in a fantasy world.
Although Frieren subverts fantasy tropes, it doesn't fully escape them. While its story isn't limited to a dark lord to be defeated in battle, Frieren feeds off of other fantasy stories such as Dragon Quest and even shares archetypes such as the overpowered protagonists, the typical classes for each party member in RPGs, and the inherent evil of demons.
Delicious in Dungeon's World-building Surpasses Frieren's
Frieren also features the standard races in fantasy, such as elves and dwarves. That way, rather than its massive worldview, Frieren's greatest strength lies in how each character is constructed, as well as its exploration of the passage of time, and the nostalgia and melancholy conveyed by Frieren's personal journey.
On the other hand, Delicious in Dungeon is peppered with concepts that overturn existing fantasy clichés. At the core of Delicious in Dungeon is the message "to eat is to live," and thus its world is meticulously crafted to present how a hero's journey is impossible without taking care of oneself first, starting with guaranteeing a source of nutrition.
Delicious in Dungeon is a masterclass in creating a balanced ecosystem where monsters aren't just there to be slain but are part of a food chain, delving into their ecology, eating habits, environments, and their impact on the dungeon's world.
Another of its strengths is the distinct biology of races such as Half-Foots, Gnomes, Ogres, Orks, and Kobolds. This makes the world of Delicious in Dungeon feel real and incredibly complex, something few anime have managed to nail before, such as Made in Abyss.
Delicious in Dungeon Is a High Fantasy That Overflows With Versatility in Every Sense
Although Delicious in Dungeon didn't reach mainstream success like Frieren, it's one of the fantasy anime that has most exceeded viewers' expectations. This isn't only because the story of Delicious in Dungeon escalates in unexpected ways, shifting from a charming gourmet monster cuisine slice-of-life to darker developments, but also because its characters are nothing like what viewers expect at first.
Delicious in Dungeon lacks typical fan service and isn't a cozy fantasy. In Delicious in Dungeon, each character is nuanced and not simply good or evil but driven by their desires, like Laios' insatiable fascination with monsters. The anime also raises ethical conflicts and moral complexities, such as the stigma surrounding eating monsters and the prohibition of dark magic.
The richness and depth of both its detailed world and characters, how it intertwines monsters and humans, and how it deals with themes such as life and death, the bonds of souls, and the cycle of life demonstrate that Delicious in Dungeon is an outstanding high fantasy and anime that represents the best of the genre even more than Frieren.
32
8.7/10
Delicious in Dungeon
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Animation Comedy Fantasy Action Adventure Release Date January 4, 2024 Network AT-X, Tokyo MX Writers Ryoko Kui, Kimiko Ueno Franchise(s) Delicious in DungeonCast
See All-
Kentarou Kumagai
Laios (voice)
-
Sayaka Senbongi
Marcille (voice)
Expand
Collapse
-
Anime
-
Delicious in Dungeon
-
Netflix
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
4 hours ago
December Should Be A Great Month For Mission: Impossible Fans
1 hour ago
Guns N' Roses Epic 30-Year Rose Bowl Return: See The Full 2026 Tour!
2 hours ago
Y: Marshals Trailer Reveals Kayce Dutton's Action-Packed Next Chapter After Yellowstone
3 hours ago
Gilmore Girls: Every Cast Member Who Has Died
More from our brands
42 Greatest R-Rated Adult Anime Series of All Time
The Greatest Isekai Anime Of All Time (April 2025)
Predicting The Biggest Anime Of 2026
The Best Isekai Harem Anime, Ranked
Be Careful, Calling Frieren Racist Says More About Your Prejudices Than The Actual Anime
3 Best Crunchyroll Anime to Binge This Weekend (Oct. 24-26)
10 Fantasy Anime (Almost) As Good As Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Trending Now
Why Fin Is Barely In Law & Order: SVU Season 27 Explained By Ice-T
Marvel Just Pitched a Legendary Crossover I’d Kill To See The MCU Tackle
Supernatural Is Getting A New Streaming Home After 13 Year Run On Netflix
