Canaries In A Coalmine: Who Are The Western Elves? | Delicious In Dungeon Ep. 21 Analysis

[@dmgurei]

As always, please no spoilers in comments! Keep it respectful of people experiencing the story for the first time! ✨

[@JMObyx]

What's the soundtrack?

[@gomitax92]

They're basically the elf suicide squad. Their crimes are kinda hilarious for elves.

[@Huhu0137]

There is also a human trafficker (Otta) and a man slaughterer (Cithis). Like, the other two are tamer crimes for quick cash and excitement. That’s probably why Mithrun gets the prior two, he’s the captain with more experience. Some context from the extra if anyone is interested, Otta sells everything especially forbidden magical items, people, drugs, and alcohol. She also got accused of p*dophilia for dating halfling women, which is the only crime she denies strongly, and claims the idea of “short-living races are infants” is arrogant. Cithis was born into a lower-class family, she is an enchantress and uses dark magic to gain power and control over people, and damaged multiple minds of previous canaries’ captains, despite her smile, she is the brutalist canary criminal in the squad, and holds a strong hatred towards privileged class. Her makeup and long gown are really interesting design choices considering elves tend to dress in nongendered fashion, these can link to her tendency to appear welcoming to other races to seize control.

[@theyoungknight.3119]

I dont remember that being mentioned in the anime? Or am I having an r/woosh moment?

[@andrewsuryali8540]

I really like the design of the Western Elves because they instantly scream "not human" with almost zero effort. Elves in fantasy are too often depicted just like Fionil and Marcille, just like everyone else but with pointed ears. Even LotR adaptations do this. These elves, though, are instantly recognizable as different beings, and ones with a culture of their own simultaneously alien and more advanced than the people of the island. They're clothed like they came out of Star Trek.

[@janinebelleestrada7096]

They clothed like they are the snow elves(not the primitive falmer) from skyrim

[@andrewsuryali8540]

@@janinebelleestrada7096 ??? Snow elves in Skyrim wear regular clothing. Do you mean the snow elves armor?

[@Onsvaltti]

The thigh high boots tho (at least in manga :D everything is black and white so it looks kinda kinky, but they maybe have pants too. Maybe.)

[@toratora824]

spoiler The two are a mix of elf and human. That will be explained in a while.

[@dig1taltoaster]

The slack eyed commander is one of my favorite characters in the series im excited to see what you think of him

[@vilhelm-]

I thought of Thom Yorke when I first saw him haha

[@CARBONATED_SO-DA]

​There's another character that looks like Thom Yorke ​but I won't spoil you.@@vilhelm-

[@t4bun_200]

​@@vilhelm-Mithrun is what thom would've turned out to be if he didn't wake up sucking a lemon

[@Onsvaltti]

His wonky eye is kinda cute tho. (My fav character too.) (We might see them again before anime ends 😊)

[@Tantan_meow]

Welcome to Mithrun Nation ❤🎉

[@Humorless_Wokescold]

One thing I really appreciated about this adaptation of the meeting was the mob visit vibe to the whole thing. In the manga it felt more like the conflict was between the Canaries and Kabru. And while that's still true in the anime, you immediately see that a meeting from the Canaries isn't a negotiation. They do not care about your consent or wants. Also, good job picking up on the subtle implications about who the Canaries are in elven society. For a small hint, look at the ears.

[@m.v.gonzalez5575]

(Anime only here) that got my atention since itzutsumi appeared in the op/ending, I rewatched them with more atention and notice that we don't see the short hair elf's ears. He isn't a tallman (since that's the reason kaburu couldn't join them) and all other races' ears peek out of their hairstyles, so, my only explination would be his were cut off (?) Also since this episode with the mention of the lion's prophecy, Laios and lion sound very alike 🤔. And Falin sounds like failing/falling which makes me think the party "failing" to rescue her body from the dragon's gut was unavoidable (and gives me the feeling the story it's not going to end up as I expected)

[@Onsvaltti]

​@@m.v.gonzalez5575 I find it interesting that they never showed his ears in anime, since they do in manga in the exact scene 🤔 But good theories!

[@jimtaylor294]

The messenger fairy crying while a lower ranking elf tries to comfort her was very memorable 😅

[@Vansalon]

As a manga reader, I love hearing your theories from the anime! I don't usually watch reaction channels but I like yours because you earnestly and sincerely engage with and think about the story

[@Airship007Johnston]

I love how the canaries all have the same base outfit, but take off parts of it to suit their tastes.

[@Onsvaltti]

Someone mentioned that only two of them wear the whole outfit- One because she is a goody two-shoes, and other because he's not interested in making his outfit personal in any way :D

[@amdete8254]

As an anime only it’s such a struggle to not sprint to the manga yet because I crave discussions so much dhdjdjdj thank you for this

[@ActuallyRocatex]

to add on to your thoughts on the canaries being expendable, i will spoil a little info thats honestly not plot relevant at all: (as in they probably wont bring this up in the anime because it really doesnt matter) the canaries are made of two groups, powerful magic users who serve as wardens (the elves in the green cloaks) and criminals who are also powerful magic users, serving as prisoners (without cloaks). in exchange for a shorter sentence, they take on this dangerous job and are directed by the wardens. the 3 prisoners here didnt do anything like premeditated murder, more like human trafficking, the drug trade, dabbling in forbidden magic.

[@vilhelm-]

Your idea that the Canaries could be expendable is really interesting! I hadn't considered the possibility that they weren't the ones in charge before. Maybe that's why they have those notches in their ears, which none of the other elves we've seen have? The elves aside, I do like how souls are likened to eggs because they have two distinct parts, like how Falin and Izutsumi both have more than one soul each. I think you could imagine their souls as the white and the yolk respectively. Can they still be separated like raw eggs or are they stuck as one like scrambled eggs?

[@normal6483]

Interestingly, not all of the Canaries have notches in their ears. If you look closely, one of them has no notches while the rest do. (The one with the slack eye has his ears covered by his hair, so it's unknown at this point in the anime whether his ears are notched or not.)

[@Meta289]

@@normal6483 There's a shot where you can see one of his ears, and half of it is entirely torn off.

[@normal6483]

@@Meta289 You're right! I guess with his ears torn off it's hard to say whether he's been notched like the others or simply had them damaged some other way.

[@janinebelleestrada7096]

​@@normal6483spoilers They totally cut off his ears maybe because it probably would be easier to clean it as he is basically a walking vegetable baby that need to be fed, washed, dressed and be sent to the bathroom with a chaperone. Maybe to clean his butt or something. Basically your average dementia Alzheimer's patient

[@normal6483]

@@janinebelleestrada7096 I've read the manga, as well as all supplemental material. I know what happened to his ears, and it isn't that. That's also not how ear hygiene works.

[@mariaantonia-op8qc]

I had seen the commander in fanarts before, but DAMN I was not expecting all of their designs to be so cool! I think you're cooking something with that metaphor honestly , especially after seeing the comments pointing out the ears which I hadn't noticed. They all have so much personality already, I can't wait to see their role in the story.

[@corrinflakes9659]

I think it’s kinda fitting despite not being able to use Dungeon Meshi’s music for copyright reasons, you still substituted it with much older music from the same composer of Delicious in Dungeon Meshi. I don’t know if that was intentional when using Yasunori Mitsuda’s Chrono Trigger OST.

[@corrinflakes9659]

Also while Dungeon Meshi might not sound so much like Chrono Trigger, that’s his style change over time, I do think for a good sample of Mitsuda’s music that sounds like this, and while it has more sci-fi elements, check out Xenoblade, more specifically 2 & 3 as well as their DLC stories, not really XC1 as he only composed the ending song there, getting more involved later. There are several tracks I know in Xenoblade composed by Mitsuda that sound like Dungeon Meshi, the one during the Falin Chimera attack sounded similar to “Ferronis”, which is a cutscene theme scored to when the odds seem insurmountable and the reveal is heartbreaking.

[@jimlight5137]

No spoilers of course, but I just wanted to say that you’re one of the most perceptive react channels I’ve seen and you pick up on small clues and details many others don’t. I really like seeing these little speculation videos in between reactions because it lets me know where your headspace is at in the story.

[@reiggae]

awesome to get those predictions out even though the answers are already out there, its always interesting to explore ideas and interpretations before being given any strict confirmation

[@mysticdigital5936]

Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I honestly didn't make the canary/coal mine connection when they were first introduced. I am looking forward to see what you think of them as the story progresses. I myself am paying closer attention to the details now than when I binge read the manga.

[@lonelyshpee7873]

As a manga reader, I really enjoyed this video. It's really nice to see how anime-onlies interpret the clues this series leaves behind. Sadly, I cannot comment on anything, but I will keep watching these.

[@clankie]

great video, i think you will find the canaries incredibly interesting! i love how much foreshadowing is in this series. im also surprised you didnt mention this when discussing the dungeon nutrition bit, but in one of the episodes (if i remember correctly, its within the first 10 eps but i dont remember which) laios makes the comment "i wonder what kind of food a dungeon would eat", pretty explicitly reinforcing the themes/implications/etc you were discussing

[@zinzolin14]

Kinda mind blown by the idea of the dungeon being a digestive system of sorts

[@prettyspectrum6371]

I didn't know abt the use of Canaries in mines. But it fits perfectly well

[@Htleveryday]

I will rewatch the entire thing for the time being to catch up with the discussions.

[@bijoychandraroy]

the first part about the detection of gas was, um... interesting very good attention to details

[@zibus8456]

Excellent thoughts! My lips are sealed.

[@Hallasammal]

Very cool thoughts! I will not say more since i'm a manga reader, but it's super cool to hear your theories!

[@cupofmilkyway]

I thought we agreed on 21 whole minutes of rambling?? We got robbed!!!!!!! Haha this was awesome, I like that you talked about the Fairy thing, I was worried it would come off as jokey once animated but glad it was noticed as a Thing and not a visual gag Your thoughts are so interesting! It's obvious you are paying a lot of attention and catching things outside the surface level of the show, I'm so dang excited to know what you think of these last couple episodes!!!

[@mcpicklebreath]

really cool to hear your thoughts on the canaries! they are very interesting, look forward to your future theories

[@baptistenormand2723]

I love the mere ideas of the canaries so MUCH ! Elves are allways so etheral, people above anything mortals could even comprehend, they are allways wise, but from afar. Using magic to know and reffusing to go in situs and act. Here you have an elven group wich's mere name sreams "We are the ones drenching our boots in the filth. Risking our lives for a greater duty." It's just soo cool ! I love Ryoko Kui's grounded and gritty worldbuilding almost as much as the colorfull way she paints it ! I think i'll include a lot more groups similar to the canaries in my worlds :) Can't wait to see what happends next !

[@Airship007Johnston]

It’s really cool to see how subtle things like the canaries have been teased since the first op, gives you a good chance to look at the designs

[@possumprince]

i love how many small details you notice, and it's so neat to see how you interpret them

[@Nihilmace-]

The canaries are so obviously named. Again, I won't say your analysis is right or wrong, but I like your analysis. This is basically very close to what I was thinking when manga I saw this stage.

[@dragoncat5412]

Very good analysis. From a manga/anime reader

[@samflood5631]

I can't wait to see more of the Canaries in episodes 22, 23 and 24. Maybe they'll make a bigger appearance in season 2 along with Senshi's backstory.

[@Velvetchiip]

Your theory videos are pretty amazing! It's so cool seeing people craft their own theories and interpretations, especially when I already know the answers. haha! Keep it up, you're cool!

[@aweirdlookingcat3707]

The phrase “feeding it what?” Reminded me I read the manga

[@Akideoni]

These western elves kinda remind me of superpowers intervention forces

[@No1fan15]

I love seeing anime only theories! They're so fun.

[@triskadancer]

I like these thoughtful theory videos! It's always really interesting to hear what people think as they're going through a story, and Dungeon Meshi is so richly detailed and sticks to its theming so well it offers a lot for people to dig into.

[@ramaluminus]

As a manga reader, I'm gonna say one think, you're cooking something good.

[@rivermichael4357]

DM punk is - as usual - COOOOOOKING

[@NHNster]

Nice analysis bro, comment for the algorithm.

[@Airship007Johnston]

You can get a good view of the captain’s ears in the first opening

[@lop90ful1]

I love Meshi content this channel is great im so glad i found it. Seeing new people Analyse the series without knowing future events is great

[@jtyranus]

Excellent music choice for this video.

[@Ranzztt]

New video essay yippee You have really good theories, excited to see your future reactions:D

[@magpierrot]

The commander is my absolute favorite character!!! Hes written so well, I'm so excited for anime onlys to see more of him!!

[@yd2468]

great use of "corridor of time" , very fitting . since Yasunori Mitsuda is also the composer of dungeon meshi

[@PeteQuaint]

he’s cooking!

[@averageds3player699]

Many of the elves had cuttings on their ears, which all look identical so it's probably intentional, so were they marked for something?

[@mochii813]

My theory is that they probably take jobs other elves wouldn't so they get marked as "impure" maybe?

[@angellover02171]

Yes, they are intentionally marked. It goes with the name canary, as they're disposable.

[@simmie912]

Without going into spoiler territory you can see that some have cut ears and some don't. You can try a guess as to why :3

[@HellishSpoon]

its hard to contain the smugness as a manga reader to hear speculations and theories of anime only's.

[@bachtrinh8783]

For the, why the souls got stucked in the dungeon, my guess, it could either be: 1/ Marcielle soul - egg theory, the souls lost their body (shell) but still have the "membrane" around them that doesn't allow them to pass on 2/ Dungeonium episode 8 reference, which the dungeon is covered by a magical barrier that prevent mana, and souls from leaking out

[@salceds]

Incredible analysis

[@gristen]

this was a great analysis! i cant wait for you to see what the rest of this story has in store for you, i think you're really gonna enjoy it :)

[@leonartha03]

interesting take... love to see more theory and analytic video from dungeon meshi

[@gsomv]

They obviously came to bring us plátanos Canarios, muyayo XD. 🍌🍌🍌

[@j-plarouche9959]

3 seconds in and clicked like only for the kingdom of Zeal ost. Great vidéo too ;)

[@oceanofstars]

Love these theory videos of yours, and the insightful analysis therein. Which of the Canaries' designs was your favorite? I adore the messy-haired blonde!

[@themagicalspacepapa3109]

They're the meshi version of the Harper's with a full force of soldiers

[@chengkuoklee5734]

Canaries are Elf's Suicide Squad specialised in Dungeon sealing.

[@childhoodfriendsalwayswin]

Almost 1000 subs!! Also great theory 👍

[@bisheejom]

Anyone who uses Chrono Trigger BGM gets an instant subscribe.

[@hyobro8392]

Is that a chrono trigger ost? That style sounds similar

[@Akideoni]

Yea Kingdom of Zeal, corridor of time

[@TheFabHawk]

Great video! love your analysis :D Exiting to see the POV of anime only watchers

[@meesheronicles]

hmmm i smell someone cooking here...

[@randomrhino7500]

I just assume the Western Elfs main goal is to collect immortality, spell from the maniac mage ?

[@Knoxwoodcomix]

Your brain is so wrinkly, bro, i hope the wait for season 2 isnt overly long.

[@Buyo200]

good vid

[@dhansvid6745]

To explain briefly, the Canaries Unit is like the CIA who visit other third world countries.

[@HalfTimeLazer]

Algo comment!

[@hitachicordoba]

Pirotess fans rejoice

[@Shayne_L]

Leggggooo

[@ozziescribbler]

From the tone you're employing, I genuinely can not tell if you're an anime-only watcher or spoiled yourself at least some of the story ahead. Considering the amount of untold details you got right, I doubt you're going into anime entirely blind (especially since many spoilers are very hard to avoid after entering fandom spaces). Why frame it as questions and assumptions if you know at least part of the answers? It strikes me as disingenuous. There are ways to comment on all this spoiler-free *without feigning complete ignorance*.

[@godessofthefeast.4155]

He very much hasnt read the manga!

[@БранимирНиколов-ж7ф]

do not trust the winged lion

[@giuliacf4180]

Dude he said no spoilers