Delicious in Dungeon is having a little bit of a moment, and I’m personally thrilled to see it. When it comes to things like merchandise, you won’t really see a series get any until it’s in anime form, and a plethora of merch and things like collaboration cafes are typically reserved for more popular series – luckily the fantasy series from Ryoko Kui is being treated to both and more. It’s refreshing, as Delicious in Dungeon is such a unique take on fantasy that the genre has sorely needed for the longest time. But it’s not alone in revitalising fantasy.
While it is yet to receive an anime, there is another manga I really think you should check out if you like Delicious in Dungeon: Witch Hat Atelier. Rather than eating monsters and diving into dungeons, Witch Hat Atelier follows a young girl, Coco, who lives in a world where only people born with the ability to use magic can do so, making it a pipe dream for most, including our protagonist. Except, that’s not quite the truth, as Coco discovers, accidentally petrifying her mother, thrusting herself into a world of magic as she searches for a cure, all the while getting roped into a wider conspiracy.
Excellent hook aside, it’s actually the worldbuilding I love the most about Witch Hat Atelier. In Delicious in Dungeon, there are regularly explanations for how each of the monsters work that are often scientific, making them feel like they could be real creatures. Whether it be dragons clicking their tongues to light the spark for their fire breath, or living armour that’s actually molluscs, there’s clearly just so much thought put into every aspect of how the world works.
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