Oct 24, 2024
I don't often give the “Not Recommended” tag, but I'll be honest: I do not believe Dungeon Meshi is worth the read. While it presents interesting morals and a unique take on exploring dungeons, and does have its upsides, there are plenty of better reads out there.
With that said, let’s explore what this manga is about and the themes it seeks to convey. We’ll discuss whether the beginning is misleading, how it approaches its key themes, and how effectively it utilizes the major elements of the medium to tell its story.
So, what is this show about?
At its core, Dungeon Meshi deals with the dichotomy between
...
desire and death, which, within its setting of food and dungeons, is not a bad idea. Food, as the most basic representation of desire, ties into the theme naturally, while dungeons—a staple of danger and reward in fantasy—become the perfect backdrop for exploring this concept.
The idea itself is solid, and the manga delivers a surprising level of realism, especially with the meals and detailed monster biology. However, by the end, this realism begins to fall apart, and the themes are too shallow to make up for it. Desire versus death is one of the most thought-provoking themes in literature, but Dungeon Meshi ultimately doesn't add anything new to the conversation. At best, it serves as another metaphor, but not one that leaves a lasting impact.
First things later, let’s talk art direction.
There’s nothing particularly unique in terms of character design. While it might stand out compared to some other anime or manga, most characters resemble generic class templates you'd find in an older RPG. Their race characteristics are exaggerated, and few characters truly feel distinct.
On the positive side, some panels are beautifully detailed, especially when it comes to the food, which is mouthwateringly rendered and supports the core theme. The art picks up toward the conclusion, offering a better balance between “meh” and impressive panels. Unfortunately, the flow of the panels is inconsistent, which might hurt the pacing for some readers.
In terms of world-building, Dungeon Meshi's art doesn't particularly excel, but the focus on monster biology adds a unique touch.
So, how does it start?
The first volume is dense, with a lot of text and some creative, albeit not very fluid, paneling. It does have a more episodic nature than the last volumes, but does reflect a good portion of the narrative, which has a similar structure.
The quality is inconsistent, too. The first volume isn’t quite a masterpiece, but is pretty good. However, the series pivots direction multiple times, making it somewhat misleading for new readers. You might enjoy the start but dislike what comes later, so I can't confidently recommend using the first volume to gauge the whole series.
What about the characters?
The characters feel quite artificial. Somehow, they know very little about their fellow adventurers, and when they do know something, it often feels contrived. They keep secrets from one another without any real reason and share personal information without any caution. This becomes particularly jarring since there’s nothing in their personalities that justifies this behavior, and it even contradicts the traits of certain characters.
Miscommunication is almost a theme in this manga. Many plot points hinge on characters failing to communicate. While it works for someone like Laius (the main guy) due to his bashful nature, it doesn’t make sense for calmer, more collected characters. The narrative takes unnecessary detours because of these forced miscommunications.
What about the story itself?
The story is primarily episodic. You encounter a monster, learn about its biology and habits, then enjoy a well-drawn, tasty meal. That’s the formula, though eventually, the manga starts moving away from it. Some episodes take longer to get to the meal, while others focus on political matters or an important foe that needs to be dealt with.
Despite its flaws, the immersion is fairly strong, especially when it comes to the inner workings of the dungeon and the monsters’ way of life.
Then, what did I think of it as a whole?
Dungeon Meshi offers an average plot with well-executed realism and solid immersion, but its glaring flaws—especially in character development and thematic depth—hold it back. It ultimately relies too much on its core themes, and unfortunately, they don’t carry enough weight to make the experience truly worthwhile.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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