WE'RE BACK BABY! | Delicious in Dungeon Episode 3 Breakdown

[@williamedge5130]

I'm going to use Laios as the gold standard for writing an autistic character - he's not incompetent in everyday stuff or framed as an idiot (well, he's seen as a bit of a dumbass, but that's different), but there is a big difference in him when his special interest is in play. When he brings it up he's animated and enthusiastic when otherwise he's a pretty chilled out guy, though he doesn't necessarily know when to put his curiosity to the side for the sake of social norms.

[@lyleschlegel3184]

I remember a bit noting that every Shonen protagonist has such a special interest fixation that they could be considered autistic representation (Goku and fighting, Deku and Allmight/heroes, etc), and Laois and monsters def fits a similar bill

[@THEONETRUEOVERLORD]

Funny because he ISNT ACTUALLY AUTISTIC for the millionth time. Can he been perceived as someone on the spectrum? Yes. Is he well written? Yes. Is he canonically autistic? NO. The creator said it herself.

[@williamedge5130]

@@THEONETRUEOVERLORD firstly, the creator said this like last week when this comment I made was 6 months ago. Secondly, even if he wasn’t intentionally written as autistic Kui also said that she’s happy with people finding that representation in her work. In the same way that Spock and Data from Star Trek have been viewed as autistic icons by the community without them being explicitly autistic. Thirdly, again while Kui may not talk about autism in specific, her works have also looked at how people will try to communicate via that special interests in other works - the most explicit being her one shot manga “Perfect Communication”. It’s hardly a stretch to see her exploring neurodivergent concepts within her works, even if it is unconscious. Fourthly, characters and plots in media can be viewed from multiple lenses beyond the explicit word of the author. That is the basis of literary and media analysis. It’s how the food in Dungeon Meshi can be both literally about their survival and flourishing within the dungeon, but how food within the story is a symbol of love, family, and community.

[@connorgrynol9021]

@@THEONETRUEOVERLORD she said she didn’t see Laios as autistic. She never said he wasn’t autistic. Secondly, there is a concept called death of the author. Basically the intentions of the author do not matter or at the very least, they are not the be-all, end-all. How an audience interprets a story is more important than how an author intends it to be interpreted. Sir Terry Prachett reportedly got fan mail from trans fans who identified strongly with many of his characters, most notably the dwarves. And even if that was never his intention, Prachett was still happy to see his fans enjoy their own understanding. The creators of Wall-E did not intend to make any sort of environmental message. Imagine that? Wall-E, a story about a trash compactor robot alone on a planet of garbage and trying to save a single plant is not a story about environmental awareness. At least, it’s not the intended story. But the creator’s intent is not all that important. The fact that Ryoko Kui worded her response like that “I never saw him as autistic”, suggests she is open to other interpretations of her work. I think most authors are.

[@fedweezy4976]

​@@THEONETRUEOVERLORD ok, but the person never said that. Idk why you have such a bone to pick here and idk why you're going around telling everyone hes not autistic. It's never said that he is in the text but if people resonate with a character in that way, let em. What's it to you if someone sees him as a good way to write autistic characters. Idk why you're so worried with authorial intent when this was about the commenter's interpretation and not the author's canon.

[@KatieAngelWitch]

I genuinely loved how Deranged Laios looked when his Autistic Neurons activated and he began speculating, this episode was just a ride and I'm excited for more.

[@EGreeneConversations]

'Autistic Neurons' is definitely not something I was prepared to hear today, but here we are.

[@Homodemon]

Look, at least it makes me glad that people are using "autistic" to mean more positive things compared to the internet I grew up in. Even if I still feel really bad when people acknowledge it so often.

[@CrowLady0_0]

@@Homodemonwhat's wrong with acknowledging it?

[@Homodemon]

@@CrowLady0_0 Is a very personal matter. But I just took my pills and I feel like venting. The constant acknowledgement and sick pathologising of even the smallest "odd" mannerism nowadays makes me feel stereotyped, and infantilized even... Is like there's nothing else but this inside me, and it makes me want to kms, it has that effect on me. I'm the kind that can't stand to feel seen. I can't stand it. So if you ask me, what's so bad? Is because it makes me feel exposed.

[@Gep_05]

*he's just like me for real!*

[@flamethrowex]

One thing i liked in the episode is how laios' fight with one of the generic armours went in flashback versus present. in the flashback, he "wins" his fight with one of the armours by knocking off its helmet. to do this, he swings his scavenged sword at what he sees as a weak spot as hard as he can, not even blade first, and simply bashes it off. It works for the purpose intended, but it's a desperate manouever of brawn and practically a gamble. what you'd expect from a talented rookie. contrast to how he fights an armour present day though; if this were most other anime, him getting "stronger" as a fighter would probably be displayed with him cutting straight through one, or sweeping several apart at once, but that's not how dungeon meshi works. he's leagues more competent now, but that's shown in his quick and effective maneuver of quickly and fluidly flicking the helmet off and getting back into stance. I wouldn't comment on that on it's own, because in a vacuum that's just mildly interesting, but i love it because it helps frame the premise of a character's competency in the whole series: a veteran adventurer here isn't superhumanly strong, able to cut through iron and endure dragon's fire through sheer willpower; they're *skilled and experienced*, fighting cleverly and carefully, making the most of the abilities they have, mitigating risks, and keeping the situation controlled. this was the first situation that forced our heroes to bring that out to deal with a dangerous foe, and it wonderfully frames what we'll be seeing much more of soon

[@ayuminor]

"[...] fighting cleverly and carefully, making the most of the abilities they have, mitigating risks, and keeping the situation controlled." And most importantly: 3 balanced meal a day, stable circadian rythm and proper exercise! Jokes aside, great observation and couldn't agree more. Laios' casual curious retreat was also one of my favourite scenes because of how showed that they are comfortable and in control on the upper levels because they know the limitations of the enemy without making them breeze through them.

[@thecarrotclarinet]

This is the spirit of old school dungeons and dragons type games and it shows!

[@Whatareevenbirds]

One of my favorite parts when Laois is telling the group that the lion armor being the eggholder, and it cuts to a frame of the lion armor being cheered on by the other armors and even Laois 😂

[@crusaderking2257]

"As someone with a big nose, I feel seen" Me too brother, me too

[@monoc]

this is more appreciation of the sound design of the EP but the scene where marcille freaks out about the living armor's head hooked onto her staff after she defended senshi, flings it back to another unconscious living armor, that initial "CLONK!" sound effect as the living armor jerks back to life felt oddly comedic that it got a genuine chuckle out of me :")

[@manuel8123]

Same, the living armor episode was also the moment I fell in love with the manga, and the orc episode with the subtle hints about the war, and the dark mage seal the deal :D

[@maplemarcher9348]

Laios's nose was honestly one of the things that pulled me in to Dungeon Meshi, as weird as that sounds. I loved how he clearly has a bigger nose, but he's not some sort of caricature or considered ugly. It's never even really commented on, he just has a big nose :)

[@ScrubbinOpti]

I doubt this is intentional but seeing this episode as a more loose trigger style, the second being more faithful to Ryōko Kui's art, and the first episode being more of a mix of the two, it feels like trigger is serving me a visual meal for my eyeballs. Like they're just trying different styles of animation just like how the cast try different monsters. Again probably not the case but it's fun to think about it like that.

[@gurdimeikenskjaldi5060]

who knows, maybe there is that too in it :D

[@Vespuchian]

Oh, I’ve no doubt it’s intentional, everything in animation is. I fully expect a direct correlation with how much action is in a given episode to how loose and “Triggery” the animation will be.

[@maizen1335]

Living armor was the chapter that really hooked me too, and it's always been one of my favorites, so I'm really happy the episode was as great as it is.

[@LunarJaguar]

This episode was damn near perfect. So glad trigger is taking more creative liberty. So fucking excited to see the rest of it animated!!

[@deijo8868]

I loved Laios in this episode! The animation really did him a favor in terms of showcasing his emotions and excitement. This episode was definitely a step in the right direction! Can't wait for the next one and your analysis

[@enderesting]

YESS!!!! i was looking forward to how you’d enjoy this episode!!!! i’m going to save this video to watch tomorrow. :> my personal take on ep3. i LOVE that the trigger style is really showing. i didnt mind that they were a bit “off model” if they r doing something new and interesting!! they are adding so much flair into it!! best episode so far. ok ill post more thoughts on it later

[@knutaf]

Another great analysis, and I also enjoyed hearing you gush about this one because I also loved this ep. Favorite shot was probably marcille grabbing laois' head with her staff and wiggling it around and laois' dumb expression during it. But like you say, we are spoiled for choice. We really get to see laois' nerdiness in this one and get to delight in discovery along with him. It's impossible not to get caught up in his joy of figuring stuff out. Thanks for this, hope you keep making them.

[@cosmicdib4823]

I love that frame where marcille's staff perfectly frames senshi and chilchuk in it

[@Greymetaphor]

This video really made me appreciate the episode more! I'm not someone who watches anime often (I tend to only follow along if there's an adaptation of a manga I liked), so stuff that are pointed out here are often overlooked by me. I hope to continue making this series part of my weekly routine as long as the series is airing!

[@ninjaeagleart]

4:13 dawggggg holy crap I’m reading the manga rn and I just reached *that* scene and instantly remembered this

[@JohnGaming55]

I’ve finished the manga and I forget exactly what moment it’s foreshadowing. Could you perhaps remind me what chapter it happens? Thank you in advance.

[@ninjaeagleart]

@@JohnGaming55 the end of chapter 88

[@rerelu419]

SPOILERS I didn’t even realize the armor putting its head back on was a reference to that moment with Lion!Laios that’s SO COOL

[@ayuminor]

Ehh that seems more like a classic dramatic scene used twice in different contexts to me. The fact that the actual lion armor tries to do the same unsuccessfully is a fun little spurious connection though.

[@mbianchik4338]

I think the dog in the flash back is the one named Fucci, he's a very good boi. But by far my favourite animation detail of the episode was Kensuke's appearance and how he blinked. I've seen other youtubers call it a Migi from Parasite.. Also after reading the only post-ending monster tidbit where Laios bids farewell to Kensuke's sword in a dungeon. Trully the besto party member. The thing u said about character models reminded me about something Arin Hanson (Egoraptor) said he learned from the Ren and Stimpy animators John Kricfalusi, about always being off-model. And i think that's also a very Trigger thing to do, since the Gainax days even. And the moment when the manga REALLY clicked for me was the Undine leg shot chapter. By that time i realized i was way too invested on the characters, story and world.

[@swampjawn]

yeah kensuke is very migi-esque

[@evaschlussel8079]

This breakdown was so engaging and fun! Really added a lot to my enjoyment of the episode, great analysis

[@theliato3809]

The work on how they did the living armor was great. Such a fantastic idea from the author which the animators brought to life.

[@GizzPill]

Same to me too! These two chapters were really when the manga clicked for me, ended up binging the whole thing (atleast what was available) 4 years ago, so im very, very happy that this episode was done with as much love as possible Didnt pick up that helmet placing thing either, im such a sucker for subtle nods like this its so cool

[@LilyCat2399]

In terms of the art and animation my favourite parts are the wide shot of the turning of the armor towards Laios near the start of the episode and the cute shot of the armor striking a gay little pose when Laios os talking about the sex and mating rituals of the creatures.

[@Wobbmin]

This is the episode I find myself rewatching the most. I think the Living Armor is one of if not my favorite monster in the series so far (I have not read the manga for the record).

[@EGreeneConversations]

Dood, your analysis of this show is awesome! I've actually been working an building a table top rpg for the past like, way too long honestly, and Delicious in Dungeon inspired me to add a developed Cook profession to my game.

[@swampjawn]

Yo, that's awesome!

[@LuckyDayWorks]

delicious dissection! watching these along side the eps after they air is a real treat, really great to see what you catch.

[@solsez]

8:04 when this shot of senshi came on screen I literally shouted with joy

[@Slobezero]

Great analysis, your annotated breakdowns of sequences are really nice.

[@NesDoesStuff]

i love these videos so much they explain exactly what i think and feel about the anime and the manga, i love this series so much so seeing someone making a video on it saying their thoughts while also analyzing the animation while also showing their love for it is such a joy, keep it up!!!

[@malinazhnita725]

man its so cool that you are pointing out the individuals that work on anime, a lot of the time when a big project is being done by a studio people just look at the studio it self or just the director, keep up the good work!!!

[@ayuminor]

Good find on the self-bonk lol

[@FrostCHNOS]

These chapters in the manga had me screaming, and made the decision to buy the whole series, and im so happy they really put their whole animussy into it. The galaxy brain moment for Laios is the first big "Oh wow, the entire dungeon is an ecosystem!" Moment for the audience and really makes it clear the author's world is something special

[@neillim138]

absolutely loved this episode so much and i wasnt sure how to put it into words but you said so clearly what made things work and i agree completely!! my favorite part is the flashback with the eggs with how goofy and bright it looked. man i love this anime

[@zephyrcalantian]

Ooohhh I didn’t even think about the ominous presaging at the 6 minute mark, ohoho. Thank you for pointing it out!

[@francjirachi]

yeah this one was fantastic, showed that trigger is going to give it his all on the important stuff and add their own flare (I love the manga, but animes that only do 1 to 1 recreations are more boring). Also 4:13 omg that is right

[@Dragonriderperson]

I loved Marcille's staff hoop + Laios's head moment because not only is it characterful for both characters , it fits with the moment later on, when she stops Chilcuck from drinking a bottle of wine until they beat the dragon. Great use of source material antics to come- wait actually no just checked my copy of volume 1. It's from the manga, just stylized with good animation in the best of ways.

[@brimmedhathoe4392]

I really love these sort of reviews man. As someone studying film and animation, and a fan of the dunmesh manga, I really really appreciated ur content.

[@Antares-360]

I cannot express how much I look forward to your analysis every episode! It's great to watch you break down all the key animated moments which I often miss during the show itself. The living armour arc is certainly where most people fell in love with the story lol. And I'm so glad to see certain parts of the monster titbits getting included as well!

[@samfisher6606]

I love that the Living armor is a mollusk. I think that's so ingenious. I don't think I've seen that anywhere else. I really want to steal that if I ever write a story with living armor in it.

[@MollyFox-gs3sl]

I binge watched till episode 12 with my brother recently. I had seen a review of the great character design in the manga so I was surprised there was an adaptation now and by studio trigger. its so cool to see breakdowns with focus on the animation i'm a simp for animation

[@pandabosch]

I've seen that 2 impact approach to animation before in Super Smash bros. The creator Masahiro Sakurai actually talks about how his team implemented the technique -which he calls "hit stop", in the video "Stop for Big Moments!" on his youtube channel.

[@jakelevinson7802]

I’m into it being a live action thing I’ve been taught in school basically every time you’re animated and story boy and stuff. He really careful about the 180° role unless you know what you’re doing. I think I’ve gotten to break it like once or twice for very specific reasons thought

[@kayame18]

The high stylizing works well with how strong the designs are.

[@tomaaas_i]

it was on this episode that the series had me, great breakdown

[@nataliasonia8491]

Your videos are just fantastic. Thank you.

[@jewyjewjew7264]

Indeed the best episode yet and showcases Trigger doing wholesome animation. Chef's kiss 💋

[@Dragonian05]

I wouldn’t say Senshi was cowering early in the episode. More like he was observing more than anything. That being said. Those helmet head turns were massively intimidating.

[@Eh-yf4qs]

4:14 i don't think it was a foreshadowing in the manga, but if they choose to do that in the series I'll lose my mind

[@bthsr7113]

As an anime only, my thinking was that there are living armors, and then there are actual magically Animated Armors with the latter being far more efficient yet rigid. I guess the past and present felt so distinct, it was hard to believe they were the same kind of monster. Also the idea that a supposedly resolved mystery could mislead them in future events is narratively spicy.

[@lyleschlegel3184]

The dog in his flashback is such a Trigger dog

[@anooda5339]

For 1:51 part, you have described the motion as stiff and inhuman and I think thats what the animators were going for since the armour is not living and its on controlled by mollusk in between the armour. It might indicate the mollusk struggle to replicate human movement due to their positioning.

[@Homodemon]

That Senshi panty shot made me spit my drink when it happened. I honestly wasn't expecting it so early!

[@sumvivus6199]

I love how the fandom headcanon Laios as autistic

[@calderchen2201]

love ur insights abt the animation!!! makes me rlly wanna give some trigger inspired animation a shot (haha puns) :D

[@helton3425]

Feels like this episode review was cut short when compared to the others despite how enthusiatic you were to talk about its ins and outs

[@gumi5496]

Loved this one so much!!!

[@rosenrot234]

I was already enjoying the first two episodes. But man. This episode really got me thinking "Oh this series is something special". I haven't read the manga, I'm just an anime only fan for now lol

[@LanEXHikari]

We snapped along Laois, Jawn 🐌

[@awhitney3063]

More!

[@multigrandmarquis]

anybody else think the way he stepped on the armor was kinda hot

[@charlieterry8506]

this is so good

[@gurdimeikenskjaldi5060]

I was wondering, is the big boss armor's kick scene animated by Himaishi?

[@Draconis_Eltanin]

Even after reading the whole manga the foreshadowing reference is flying over my head, would you mind pointing me to the right chapter? My favourite moment not mentioned by you is definitely when Laios theorizes about the armor being in the mating period and there is a posing Ornstein armor with all the regular ones behind in love, but there is also Laios mixed among them, lol.

[@zephyrcalantian]

Very last page of 88

[@swampjawn]

Haha yesss that was so funny End of chapter 88. It may not be totally intentional, idk.

[@Draconis_Eltanin]

@@swampjawn Thanks, both for the clarification and the in depth analisys: please keep them coming ^^

[@Draconis_Eltanin]

​@@zephyrcalantian Right, I had forgotten that scene. Shivers. I'll take that as my cue to read it again. (How shamefeul of me to forget about my 2nd favourite mange)

[@Draconis_Eltanin]

@@swampjawn I dout it is intentional, as the armor has a hand in front of the "mouth" which is the exact same as the three panels in chapter 6. Still, thank you for reminding me to read it again. ^^

[@zaryhc]

5:30 unsure if anyone pointed it out yet but the hiragana in marcille's mouth look more like 「guyu /ぐゆ」than 「guwa /ぐわ」 🤔 it could just be something with the animator’s handwriting since im also prone to mistakes like that but im just throwin this out there! lmaoo

[@themelancholyofgay3543]

1:17 bro exposition

[@tinyetoile5503]

The only problem I had with this episode was that the difference in animation style between it and the previous two felt... really noticeable and it kinda broke my suspension of disbelief, like a piece of popcorn stuck in my tooth. I can understand having some stylistic variations between episodes but suddenly switching between trying to imitate ryoko kui's more subtle artstyle to trigger cartoonyness feels jarring, and i kinda wish they'd used the more stylized animation from the beginning if they were going to use it at all, since of course the manga already exists for me to get the more realistic style Ryoko Kui goes for.

[@avirajsingh1385]

Certified reddit moment 😺❤

[@ADez100]

Watch the spanish dub