Lately, the fantasy genre in anime has been stuck with repetitive plotlines, refusing to venture out of its comfort zone and sticking to what is familiar. This results in seasonal anime shows about fantasy anime that are predictable from the title itself, down to their minute details that we quickly forget by the next season. There have been a few exceptions, such as "Frieren," which created a lot of buzz with its characters and world-building, and the current season's "Konosuba," known for being a genre subversion. However, most shows continue to offer the same old generic adventures. The fantasy genre has significant potential to explore different aspects of world-building, but as it keeps relying on the monotonous and overdone trope of leveling up by power scale, its potential becomes less valuable, causing the entire genre to lose its appeal. The amount of possibilities in the world of fantasy is endless, and it's just been waiting for that one special show to tackle it, and Delicious in Dungeon tackles the culinary world in a fantasy setting. ***

The history of culinary arts is intricate, but in essence, people have always gathered around food. Over the years, new herbs and spices were introduced, enhancing flavors and transforming food into more than mere sustenance—an art form that delights both taste buds and eyes. As cultures shared recipes and culinary practices, seeking out the best flavors from each became a global pursuit. Delicious in Dungeon explores the early days of culinary experimentation, where people tested various animals, adding their own twists to create delicious dishes. This simple premise is executed impressively, with fantasy world creatures made to look as appetizing as they do alive. ***

The show doesn't just rely on its culinary aspects; it still serves as a decent fantasy show. While the world-building might not be as vast as the other shows in this genre, it made itself with the diverse kinds of animals being eaten and made as a culinary art piece. Moreover, the restricted nature of the show became its beneficiary, as it lets you focus on what's on screen rather than what has potential outside of the screen. Another aspect is the characters, who are just too fun to watch. They may not be the most deep characters or have the strongest motivation and development compared to other shows, but the fun they intimately share solidifies this as more of a comfort show than something else that isn't. ***

Delicious in Dungeon is a unique show where it tackles known fantasy tropes such as power levels, dragons, and the unique creatures you discover along the way, mixed in with one element this show does, and that is the exploration of culinary experiences. It might not be the deepest or most fantasy-driven show out there, but for a series that strives for comfort with a sprinkle of drama, this show is as good as it gets.