Netflix’s Fantasy Action Series ‘Delicious in Dungeon’ Changed the Fantasy Genre Forever Following ‘Game of Thrones’

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By the 2020s, fantasy TV shows were feeling stale and needed something fresh. The disappointing end to Game of Thrones really highlighted this, and shows like Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, along with Netflix’s The Witcher, were expected to revitalize the genre. However, it wasn’t until 2024, when Netflix released a new series, that fantasy truly broke the mold. This new show reinvented familiar fantasy elements and reignited viewers’ passion for the genre.

Ever since J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit came out in 1937, most fantasy stories have followed a similar pattern: epic fights between good and evil, creatures like orcs and dwarves, kingdoms at war, and the use of magic. While these elements aren’t necessarily a problem, many fantasy shows and books have started to feel too similar. That’s where Delicious in Dungeon (also known as Dungeon Meshi) comes in.

Based on Ryoko Kui’s manga, Studio Trigger (known for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners) created a 24-episode fantasy series, Delicious in Dungeon, now streaming on Netflix. Released in 2024, the show offers a welcome and inventive take on the fantasy genre. It’s set in a classic medieval European-style world filled with elves, dwarves, humans, and many creatures, but what sets it apart is its unique approach to this familiar setting.

‘Delicious in Dungeon’s Worldbuilding Is One-of-a-Kind

Creating a believable world is crucial in fantasy stories, and often what makes them stand out. Delicious in Dungeon truly shines in this area. The story centers on a group of adventurers trying to save a companion lost in a dangerous dungeon after a disastrous encounter with a dragon – they simply ran out of food! To survive their rescue mission, they decide to cook and eat the monsters they defeat. Luckily, they have Senshi, a dwarf with a talent for cooking, who helps them create tasty meals as they journey through the dungeon.

The initial concept for this fantasy story might seem a bit unusual, and it is, in some ways. However, that idea grew into a detailed and believable world with a complex food chain that impacts the story’s environment. Every creature and monster has a unique design and understandable motivations. The creator, Ryoku Kui, didn’t just throw in random fantasy beasts; they carefully integrated each one into the world, making it feel thoughtfully crafted and real. This makes Delicious in Dungeon stand out as having one of the most immersive settings not only in anime, but in the entire fantasy genre.

What Fantasy Shows Need to Learn From ‘Delicious in Dungeon’

It’s tempting to say other fantasy shows need better worldbuilding, and often they do. But Delicious in Dungeon shows us something more important: fantasy doesn’t always have to be a massive, complex story with tons of characters and complicated plots that ultimately feel empty (like what happened with The Witcher). A truly good fantasy series just needs one strong, central idea that’s developed in a unique way. Not every show needs to be the next Game of Thrones. Delicious in Dungeon didn’t try to be, and that’s exactly why it was so successful.

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2026-04-12 00:35