In a year where animes like Solo Leveling delivered spectacle after spectacle, it’s easy to imagine how some gems like Delicious in Dungeon might get overlooked. But the story of this year’s Crunchyroll Anime Awards has raised various questions amongst its audience.
Now, don’t get us wrong, Solo Leveling is not bad. The series has provided many memorable moments, action sequences, and a unique storyline that has made it reach the top. But to be fair, animation is more than flashy sequences and impact frames – it’s about fluid movement, expression, and consistency. While Delicious in Dungeon excelled in those fields, the anime was short of winning the honor of being the “Anime of the Year”. Here are some of the reasons why this anime was worthy of the title.
The animation of Delicious in Dungeon was a sight for sore eyes
The production studio behind Delicious in Dungeon, Studio Trigger, is no stranger to top-tier animation. While the studio is known for the production of series like Kill la Kill or Promar, which are quite explosive, they decided to go for a very subtle and satisfying route for Delicious in Dungeon. Every dish prepared in the series, every bite eaten by the characters, every magic spell used in the dungeon has been delivered with a level of polish that made the world feel grounded.
Delicious in Dungeon thrives in the zone most anime struggle to balance, that is, the intersection of kinetic action and still-life elegance. There is no waste of space in this anime, from each fight to all the monster dish recipes, every moment in this anime has been met with a purpose of the characters’ growth.
Combat, Comedy, and Character: All Fluid, All Fantastic
While the series did catch a majority of its viewers with its Ghibli art style and mouth-watering cooking clips, the action choreography in Delicious in Dungeon is unexpectedly crisp, grounded, and packed with weight like Frieren. The series has proven itself by not over-relying on cuts or CG, bringing in various seamless fights respecting the human anatomy, magic spells, and their impact on the environment.
Adding comedy sequences with facial expressions that morph with lightning speed, or quiet dialogue scenes where body language does more talking than the script, makes the series one of the must-watch shows in its genre.
Delicious in Dungeon is completely the opposite of how Solo Leveling presents its animation style. While the latter presents its fight sequence in a flashy, visually stylish presentation, bringing in still shots to display power-up sequences, Delicious in Dungeon does not depend on filler animation, making every episode feel like a complete, hand-crafted experience.
Delicious in Dungeon may not have claimed the spotlight, but its brilliance speaks for itself. While others chase spectacle, this anime delivered soul, depth, and craft. Awards fade—but timeless storytelling endures. In the hearts of true fans, this series has already earned its place as a modern classic.
You can currently stream Delicious in Dungeon on Netflix and Crunchyroll, and Solo Leveling is available on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
