#dungeon meshi quick reacts

[thechekhov]

Chekhov Reads Dungeon Meshi: CH52

Everyone else: surrounded by at least family or friends.

Senshi: just me and my trusty frying pan

இ௰இ

I feel like Kui-san created the perfect explanation for the artistic whim of 'I wanna draw high fantasy.... or maybe horror.... hmm.... and now I wanna draw cookbooks. And now I wanna draw steampunk!' and just made it work for her.

Queen shit, honestly.

Wow, dwarves are way more uptight than I thought. No drinking in the trolley?!

It's YOUR turn on the backstory, Laios.

Laios going into the military and then immediately backing out with a 'thanks but no thanks' is very... Laios.

He's also suddenly emaciated. This feels like there's parts being left out.

and ALSO why is Falin here???? Oh wait it's just another person.

.......so Falin was at the academy until her brother showed up and then ALSO DESERTED????? She didn't even graduate or anything? She just noped out one day???????

Marcille heart attack in 3.... 2....... 1................

"You literally came by and STOLE my girlfriend from school!"

Senshi you..... you literally almost died of starvation in a dungeon due to lack of planning and then just did Whatever and got by. 😂

Laios, did you leave your baby sister behind because the people were dicks? Is this just Laios telling it badly, or was he just a kid dealing with it badly?

And WHERE ARE THE PARENTS, WHY IS SHE EATING ALONE.

For being a fantasy manga, this has incredibly modern social issues.

Or maybe the issues in question are just timeless.

AAAAA MARCILLE WERE YOU LISTENING

The horrified, stupid feeling of realization when you're a little bit of an asshole, but not on purpose - just out of ignorance. Oooooh godddds, this is so real. This is so REAL!

It's so dumb how human this manga is. I love it.

...th...this metaphor may be getting a bit out of hand...... is it really as simple as eggs on bacon...????

okay............where are you going with this.......?

MmmmmHMMMM. I see. Hmmm. Interesting. HmmMMM. I....okay.

no, no, he's got a point.

But actually, was IS the plan here? He says that as though it's a workable plan but.

Is the idea to just.... eat Falin's non-human parts??? That's most of her. Up to her neck. You have, what, a neck and a head? Are you working under the assumption that there's more human parts buried in dragon meat? You're working under the assumption that she hasn't become the dragon as much as it became her.

Idk, man. It all feels very....... raw.

But I'm sure it'll work out EXACTLY like this.

Get your knife and fork, Kabru. You've been formally invited to dine on the body of Laios' sister who killed you once.

[thescrapbookingscientist]

Bimonthly Media Roundup

-Hatoful Boyfriend (Video Game) - Hatoful finale and wow what an ending it was. I really have to applaud this game on turning a silly bonkers premise into a genuinely unnerving psychological horror while actually having interesting characters and emotional moments. I wouldn't say I connected enough with any of them to buy merch or anything but they had more depth than I was expecting from dating sim characters (and birds at that) with exiting little twists. The true ending was the culmination of all the routes and somehow delivered the most impactful story line of all, with a sort of fucked up but true case of "yeah minus the birds thing this is kinda how humans react to sudden and unexpected political shifts huh?". I'd definitely recommend giving it a playthrough/watch, it may seem a little slow at first but boy is it an experience.

-Face Off (TV) - Seasons 4 and 5 are on Netflix so I've been putting this on as background noise while I work. Really fun to see the neat challenges and designs, especially as I like to think how I would approach them myself (though more from a drawing/writing standpoint than crafting obviously). Too bad the whole show isn't available, I haven't found an archived set of all the designs and challenges online so I feel like I'm missing out on some fun ones.

-Suzume (Movie) - Okay so I had typed a whole big review on this out that glitched and did not save. I don't want to type it again so short version is that I respect the animation and themes or equating grief over the loss of a person with the loss of a location and community, but didn't really vibe with the lack of character or tension in the story. Also I feel bad for the little gremlin cat and think he deserved way better, justice for that cat that twink guy should've stayed a chair.

- Campfire Cooking (Manga) - A quick reread of the whole manga when I just wanted a self-indulgent relaxing cooking series. It's still very wholesome, though I will say that I think this is one of the rare ones where the anime is better than the manga due to the visuals really enhancing the appetizing meals and cute mannerisms of the familiars. Season 2 will be coming out soon which I am now fully prepared for, bring me the tiny dragon and loser elf.

- Six of Crows (Books) - Left without internet I was forced to listen to the pre-downloaded audio books I had bought months ago. It's actually pretty interesting so far, I do love heist stories, but I don't feel like talking about it until I'm farther in.

- The Apothecary Diaries (Anime) - I'm too tired to talk about how incredible this was right now but believe me it's really really good. I love MaoMao, this setting is amazing, the characterization of everyone is grounded enough to feel like unique people while leaving room for silly comedy, and the mysteries and twists are so compelling that I could barely stop watching. Highly recommend, might even rewatch it again soon.

- Dungeon Meshi (Anime) - Y'all weren't kidding about those lesbians huh? Good for them, Good for them.

- One Piece (Anime) - Arrived in Wano, the new art style is charming and so are Otama and Okiku.

- Genshin Impact (Video Game) - Making my way through Sumeru.

Listening To: How Did You Love by Shinedown, Give Up Your Dreams from The School of Rock, Everything Goes On by Porter Robinson, All the Boys by Panic! At The Disco, Willow by Taylor Swift, Rose Colored Boy by Paramore, Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas, Stray Italian Greyhound by Vienna Teng, Hey I Don't Work Here by Tom Cardy, Pierrot by Kei, and Can't Catch Me Now cover by Annapantsu

[yunhokick]

[GOLDEN KAMUY] Translation: Interview with Noda Satoru & Ookuma Hakkou, January 2016

Corrections and suggestions are welcome! Translations were originally posted on my Twitter account and privatter.

Original interview

Q: Golden Kamuy was voted number two by male readers in “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2016”. First of all, please tell us your honest feeling about it.

Noda: It’s awful. Position no. 2 is for the loser.

Q: Too bad, yeah.

Noda: No-one will remember you if you’re not number 1. Can you name the opponents when (judoka) Nomura (Tadahiro) won the Olympics gold three times in a row?

Q: No, I can’t immediately recall.

Noda: It’s like that.

Q: When Golden Kamuy’s first volume was released, it was also placed second in March 2015’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Ranking as voted by men.

Noda: Did it feel great when Nomura got silver medal? It’s like that.

Q: Despite using judo as an analogy, thank you for the easy-to-understand explanation. By the way, in both rankings, the number one spot went to…

Noda: Unforgivable Dungeon Meshi.

Q: How was the response at the beginning of the serialization? Managing editor (ME, Ookuma Hakkou): Since the beginning of serialization, Golden Kamuy has thankfully always got good results in polls, so I was confident that “it could sell”. That’s why, although I had felt just wanting to publish volume 1 quick, we confidently published (the first two volumes) in two consecutive months. (Golden Kamuy vol 1 was published in February 2015, vol 2 was in March 2015. – ty.) Q: It’s indeed an unusual way of releasing comic books. ME: There are various benefits of releasing comic books in two consecutive months. First, for the readers, reading the next volume while interest is still high spares them the anxiety of waiting, right. If the next volume is going to be published next month, book sellers will put it on display without returning the previous volume to the publisher. If the first volume sells more than expected and has to be urgently reprinted, the reprints of the previous volume can be put along with the next volume at the book store. Q: In terms of sales, there are quite a lot of benefits. However, if you are not sure about being able to sell it, it’s something that’s hard to do, isn’t it. ME: Regarding Golden Kamuy, I was… sure, but still, when I got the request for reprint, I fell on my knees out of joy and relief (laughs)   Q: How about you, Noda-sensei? How did you react to the responses at the beginning of the serialization? Noda: I thought my editor told me the results, but I don’t remember the contents. I only remember drawing while thinking with conviction “There is no way it doesn’t sell!” Q: I see. Are you worried about readers’ reaction? Noda: Of course I want to know. I can’t check the Internet too often, but I feel happy if I receive fanletters. Nowadays, handwriting a letter takes great effort. The letter being handwritten itself already conveys the writer’s feelings.   Q: Where did you get inspiration for Golden Kamuy? My great grandfather went to the Russo-Japanese war and took part in the 203-Meter Hill Battle as a tondenhei. (Tondenhei were soldiers in the Meiji era sent to Hokkaido to guard & develop the island - ty.) I wanted to make a manga of his story when I got the chance. Then after my previous work, Supinamarada!, ended, my managing editor suggested “How about making a manga about hunting set in Hokkaido?”Then I thought I’d make the protagonist a young man who’s just returned from the Russo-Japanese war. Q: So at first you began planning a manga about hunting? Noda: That’s right. But if it’s only about hunting, I would quickly run out of materials, so I decided to throw in various other elements. Q: I think that the various elements that are linked intricately is what makes this work distinctive. Noda: The Ainu, the legend of hidden gold, Hijikata Toshizou, the jailbreak king.. even the incident with brown bear, are truly parts of Hokkaido’s history. I picked up the elements that I think interesting from all those things about Hokkaido. Q: (asking the editor) When Noda-sensei sent you the idea, plot, and such, what was your impression? ME: “This is it!” Before that, I’ve been exchanging a lot of ideas with Noda-sensei. Each of them was interesting. But the moment I read the draft of this work, I felt like I could hear the sound ‘click’!

Q: The Ainu culture is among the various elements present in Golden Kamuy. Up until now, there were so few manga that portray the Ainu culture. Why did you choose this subject? Noda: Actually until now there are so few of them. Does it not feel fresh for the readers? I think that since it is a delicate subject, people recoil from it. It brings along dark images of prosecution, discrimination, and such. But I was convinced that if I make an Ainu-themed manga that is cheerful and interesting, it can become popular. Even the Ainu people whom I met to gather data told me, “Please do not portray miserable Ainu people anymore. Please draw strong Ainu people.” Q: Speaking of that, how was the decision by the editorial team taken? Especially because lately there is a tendency of high demand for political correctness. ME: The serialization meeting of the editorial team agreed on it unanimously. Thankfully, the editorial team is frank about whether something is interesting or not. However, since neither the editorial team nor our company had much experience and knowledge about the theme, they told us “You need to be prepared well”. As for Noda-sensei, during the meeting when he presented the material, he said “I’m prepared”, so there was no problem. Noda: Although it’s a delicate subject, I think any trouble that arises from it is not caused by malice, but because of ignorance. That’s why I make this manga while researching and asking experts as much as possible. In addition, I think it’s okay to draw various Ainu people: strong ones, sly ones. Because they too are human. Q: How’s the reaction to that? Noda: I think the Ainu people understand my seriousness about this. I’m glad that I receive a lot of nice responses from the parties concerned with the Ainu.

Q: The title is made up of an English word (Golden) and an Ainu word (Kamuy). How did you decide on the title? Noda: ‘Golden’ means the colour of gold. In another word, shit. Q: Huh?? Noda: The Ainu believe gods (kamuy) exist in everything, so there must be kamuy in shit too. I lied. Q: Please. (laughs) Noda: Even until now my father cannot name the title of my previous work, Supinamarada! correctly. No matter how often I correct him, he always calls it ‘Marada’. “This is bad,” I thought. I must come up with a title that can stick to the memory fast. Q: "Golden Kamuy" is indeed easy to remember. Noda: Still, there are people who say it’s uncool. But I think the content would sweep away any such impression. “Robocop”… Is there any movie fan that call this title uncool? It’s like that. Q: I see. Hinna Hinna Ainu Dishes Q: Golden Kamuy is quite full of well-drawn food and cooking scenes. Noda: As I said earlier, at the initial stage of the concept, the keyword was ‘hunting’. I think ‘hunting’ includes everything from catching an animal and eating the meat, using the fur and bone to make daily goods, to selling the goods to get money. So depiction of food was naturally part of it. Q: I see. Since I understand how rich Ainu culture is, personally I’m always looking forward to scenes of Asirpa cooking. Noda: When I was researching, I found that Ainu’s food culture was so interesting it can’t be ignored. The utensils, the designs are so nice, I really wanted to draw them in details. Q: Many readers, when they see cooking scenes in Golden Kamuy, think “The food looks delicious!” Noda: I think that’s the effect of the repeated “citatap”. It makes you want to try saying simple Ainu words like ‘hinna’ or ‘osoma’, right… Q: “Osoma”… That word is popular. Noda: It would be great if it’s chosen as ‘Buzzword of the Year’. I want to be able to say “Eat that shit!” Q: Since I don’t have knowledge about Ainu food, I would like to ask you a question. At every opportunity, Asirpa tells Sugimoto and Shiraishi to eat animal brains, but is it common in Ainu culture? Noda: What do you mean? Q: In other words, I wonder if Asirpa does that to know their reactions, just like a Japanese asking a foreign tourist to eat natto? Noda: Oh no, according to the notes of Ainu women born in the Meiji era, they really ate the brains of any animal they caught, with a sprinkle of salt. The Ainu are not the only hunters that eat the brains of deer and other animals. Q: Ah, so it’s a common eating habit. Noda: I have also been pushed to eat the brains of a badger, it was delicious. It was hinna. That’s why I think Asirpa tells Sugimoto and Shiraishi to eat it because she truly thinks it’s delicious. Q: So sensei has really eaten it.. Noda: When we went to Hokkaido for collecting data, we picked newly sprouting pine leaves, and the editor, the cameraman, and I put them into our mouths, and the three of us spat them out at the same time. Q: Oh, the same reaction as in Book 3, Chapter 22! By the way, of the foods and animals you’ve drawn so far in Golden Kamuy, which ones are your favourite? Noda: Maybe the otter head. Since I have no data about how the cooked head looks like, I just drew it out of imagination while looking at an otter skull. But a chef specializing in game animals praised me “You drew it well”. As for animals that I like, I think it’s the brown bear. In Golden Kamuy, it’s become a useful summon beast. By the way I have a rug made of the fur of a big brown bear … Q: What! Noda: Sometimes I put it over my head and re-create the entrance scene of Clara’s grandmother. Alone. (Noda was referring to a scene from Heidi anime below)

Q: Alone! ---End of this article. The continuation of the interview was published in another article. ---

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH40

Laios is apparently only good at drawing monsters.

You guys have no faith in him! Come onnnn

To that point, if the shapeshifters that are left are the most similar to the real selves, doesn't that prove that Laios actually knows them best? The other, easily-discounted shapeshifters were easily singled out as fakes because they were so caricature like.

The remaining fakes are just minutely different from the real selves. Chilchuk has slightly larger eyes, Marcille's hair is thinner, and Senshi has sharper features. What that says to me is that Laios is actually the BEST at reconstructing them in his mind.

Unfortunately, that. Kinda makes it harder.

Welll.......yeah. No, that makes sense.

This is a problem you all created 😂

This is legitimately making me question everything. Because like... Marcille A is acting pretty sus. But they've been through a lot, so maybe she's just depressed?

Oooooooh someone minmaxed into gayness. That's certainly a dependable strategy.

FAKE!!!!! He's the fake! Senshi would never deplete an ecosystem completely like that!!!!

ah yes, all sorts of nutrition. White rice is known for its nutrition like...... (looks at smeared writing on hand) carbohydrates and scant amounts of folates. Yep.

HE IS HANDSOME, BUT NOT "B"!! "A" IS ALSO HANDSOME!! THEY'RE BOTH HANDSOME!

.......guys. GUYYS.

Laios, you're such an absolute loser and I love you but please. Please turn on the autism. Just this once, please turn on the autism beam and point it at your friends. Please

"all of them! Everyone is fake! Including me!"

Wouldn't that be a plot twist.

why are both the chillchucks upset at this suggestion? shouldn't the real ones be relieved?

Illusions with physical traits, though? Is that not obvious once you start roughing it up with it? If something can be physical enough to fight, why not just use that thing to overpower the adventurer, then?

....so it's a vampire created illusion?

Okay, so because I saw someone else post this page to my dash about a week ago I'm actually fully aware of what comes next, and I can say with certainty that it does not ruin it. At all.

I gotta say, as a weird little kid that practiced barking like a dog and mimicking dog howls, this is making me feel SO SEEN. He's just like me fr.

And the fact that they're all supporting his talent........friendship is magic.

I'm so intrigued by this man and how his mind works.

Love is not letting your dumbass furry friend climb into the wolf enclosure at the zoo and try to fight the alpha of the pack.

This is. So real. I've never seen a manga commit SO MUCH to the weird little man trope, and I love Kui-san so much for this. This is true representation.

Dumbass recognizes dumbass. This is why they're friends.

I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT. I also didn't remember it!

Oh, hmm.....

I'm relatively certain the hand that Marcille grasped in the last chapter WAS the cat's hand. That means the cat followed them - but because no one knew she was there, the shapeshifter didn't create any illusions of her. That means she was just hiding out, observing everything.

Is she just sleeping in there curled up on the rice?

Ahhh, so it was a distraction.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH36

Time find out just how fucked up Toshiro got.

Hey Kabru. Chill.

That sure is a normal look to give your team mate. I'm sure you're a normal, well adjusted leader who understands when you step out of bounds.

Bold of you to assume they even care. They're too caught up in the plot of the second arc to even remember you...

So much to question here. The fact that Toshiro has retainers. The fact that they're all mildly bored. The fact that Marcille seems to hate it here. Marcille, hello??? Are you only interested in Falin? Do you just hate people that aren't her?

The fact that she's still wearing the frog costume makes this panel, honestly. What a legend.

This is so wholesome. Laios just decided to therapy this workaholic man all on his own, dangit. If he won't do it, who will? Senshi must be so proud.

Hang on, I just realized--.....is that.

Is that the cat girl...?!!? That I've been seeing? I thought it was just a hat at first, but those are ears, aren't they?! Is she the one that eventually joins the party?

Marcille, you're a beautiful frog woman to me.

If I didn't know that Chillchuck is a dad already, I would have known it at this point. What a thing to say. "oh no, which one of these kids grown men is going to cause more trouble if left unattended"

I'm sure that's fine.

...........

But when you put it that way, it seems a little.... simple?

Kabru is beginning to suspect he's in the wrong class.

"Ah yes, a little freak that scuttles around from paintings to reality and speaks in archaic and mysterious tones. GOTTA be a Sorcerer. And hella mad, too!"

The math checks out, your honor.

Her best, Karbohydrate. She did her best.

Oh Laios, you're a hoot.

Kabru, you literally said Laios is a terrible liar three seconds ago. Maybe be a little less obvious? 😂

...you've done this to yourself, mate.

Okay, you know what. I take it back. I still don't like Kabru but watching him suffer IS supremely entertaining.

Okay, I can see how he might jump to the wrong conclusions here. They did not, in fact, eat the orcs.....

Orcs are duty bound to slap ya upside the head.

I love how genuinely patient Senshi is, and how good he is at listening. Chillchuck was worried but he's just vibing with new friends.

I'm sure they're having a grand old time.

What do those ears do, hmmm?

I enjoy the fact that he says "they're all treated as heinous criminals" instead of passing moral judgement and saying 'they're beyond reproach' or the like. He knows the consequences, and remarks not at all on whether or not he agrees with the judgement itself.

I could also draw some parallels here about how Japan treats all drugs but. Well. That's another topic.

Oh, noooo. As opposed to that other way of dying, where your corpse is dragged about in a carnival fashion after you die, to dry up in the light of day forever after.

Oh wait.

This bitch is really only here for the drama. 😅

FALIN?!?!?!?! MY GIRL

WHY THE LONG......body...?

....................cool. Cool cool cool cool cool. Alright. Okay okay okay. Alright.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH42

Who is that. Is that Marcille? It doesn't look like Marcille. Why her ears so small.

why is this alternate-universe man struggling with so many modern day issues, like his parents pestering him to have kids? We came so far... but in the end.... we never left.

DAMN, GET OFF HIS ASS! I know it must be a dream but damn. You don't have to do the poor boy like this! He's doing his best!

We all need friends like this that will just wrestle you into bed.

.......is the idea that you can enter someone's dream as easily as just sleeping on them? Just physical contact? Damn. Free MMO VR experience.

Ah yes. Because really, what ELSE would you use lucid dreaming for, if not this?

Someone who's never read Dungeon Meshi explain what's going on in these panels.

Not gonna lie, I'm a huge sucker for weird liminal spaces like these. I know they're meant to freak people out but they have the opposite effect on me. This is peak mental stimulation.

IT'S A BABY MARCILLE????!?? AOOUUUGUGUHUGHU LOOKIT HER

Me and Laios: ah, yes, Marcille's family is a polycule, confirmed. This is surely the way it's meant to be taken.

oh, that's. hm.

Ahhh, poor kid! She's so terrified, and even though she doesn't recognize Laios, she knows he's a friend. Damn, I really love the fact that, despite often arguing with him, Marcille and Laios are actually genuinely close friends.

WEE WOO WEE WOO THAT'S NOT GOOD.

I just realized her doll looks like Falin!!! Will the wonders never cease!!

Oh! It's the guilt! :D Her real source of fear is the crushing guilt of having resurrected her girlfriend and accidentally siphoning away her humanity!

.........hang on. If it's not monsters OR death that Marcille is scared of.... is it possible that she's scared of... other people dying before she does?

She's an elf, right? Or a half elf, if the people who spoiled that reveal for me have spoiled it correctly. That means she'll probably out-last her friends. Is THAT the fear?

...or did he.

You can do what????? Use ancient magic to reverse the aging of your loved ones?!?!

That eye is the same as that of the elf, huh.

Yeah girl, you show that thing. Bonk it with the wizard's spellbook.

👏let 👏 her 👏 sleep!

Y'all got. CLAMS? In your. PILLWS?

......Y';ALL GOT PILLOWS? IN THE DUNGEON??

... the internal monologue of a cat who will continue to be too lazy to move for the next 15 hours.

OH!!!! HIM!!!!!!

(❁´◡`❁)

Listen. You don't choose your fursona. Your fursona chooses you.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH45

Slumber party!

Fair, but consider: She deserves a little murder. As a treat.

Kabru be like "IS THAT MY BACKSTORY???"

That sure is....a ship. With no one on it.

Ah, shit the Americans are here.

Two things: Toshiro being tended to like a pretty pretty princess is hilarious.

And also, the fact that they think the elves can kill Falin......... hmmm.... Pressing X to doubt.

............... oh. Laios. 😂

But also like. How was he MEANT to keep it silent? Put a little something in it? I thought since it was a magic bell you could code it to only ring when it's shaken with INTENT?

Fancy ass house.

Also, Namari...........are you hitting that yet? Both of that?

Oh, it's backstory time.

Okay one: that's fucking tragic, it sounds like the Elves are just forcing the dungeons closed with no regard for how the ecosystem compensates and what people suffer by being in close proximity......

And another thing: Kabru. Kabru, isn't that what YOU'RE after? Having all the power?

Why is this so much like that one meme where the girls at the party are looking at you.

It's the same picture.

Kabru that's. That's maybe not the way to go about it. you're going to give them MORE reasons to go in.

Nevermind the governor not being into this 'good boy, now sign' talk, Toshiro's kinda right. Ya fucked up Kabru.

No matter how far Laios runs, he cannot escape other people trying to tell him how to live his life. Poor guy. But at the same time...

Is this real? Or a red herring?

Laios' father and mother seemed to be living relatively pious lives. They clearly had a good house, but it didn't seem like they were extremely rich. Then again, perhaps he's just a cousin of royalty? Is that why his parents wanted him to have children?

They want to.... halt the growth of the dungeon? Is this another part of the natural ecosystem of things? Dungeons growing seems to point even more towards the idea that it's a gigantic, fleshpit-like creature instead of simply a construct.

Then again, constructs CAN be creatures. Like the golems.

Elves not understanding how old humans are continues to be hilarious because like.

As humans, we HAVE this same concept of variant aging. Like. Dogs. We understand that dogs live less than us, and mature a lot slower. But this is.... COMMON KNOWLEDGE. Most people do not make it into adulthood without understanding that dogs mature within 1-2 years of their birth.

The fact that elves, a species with FAR more time on their hands, who have lived alongside other races for AGES....... have STILL not got the general concept of aging down....means their education is atrocious. Or they're all not paying attention.

.......this. THIS is the most fascinating concept in this chapter.

The fallen.... turned into MONSTERS.

We know that dying inside the dungeon doesn't mean permanent death. But dying above-ground does.

We know that dying in the dungeon doesn't mean your body turns into a monster (aside from ghosts and ghouls?) ..... but dying aboveground.... DOES......?

WHAT'S THE TRUTH.

👁👁

Hm.

If Kabru and Laios fused, they could almost make one functioning human being.

Senshi just beginning to speak in the middle of his own internal monologue is so real.

...... what's going on there with the expression, buddy?

Bread.......are they STILL carrying around flour with them?! How are they getting bread?!

Also, it's awesome that the eggs are canonically hard to crack, because it makes sense that they don't break during their many fighting events.

Izutsumi really said ◉_◉

Don't tell me Laios, who is sensitive to ghosts has ALSO been seeing things?

Not gonna lie, that's highkey terrifying.

Props to that ghost that's been following Laios around, not ever giving up hope that it can bother him into acknowledging it.

And also - hey, it already saved them once! that means it's probably not evil!

That, or it's the king of the bloody dungeon. Wouldn't that be something!

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH39

"Shapeshifter?" I barely know 'er!

Don't worry! I think that's the way to the children's hospital!

Oh, it's SNOW! And here I thought it was viscera. Great news!

Don't you hate it when your siblings borrow your clothes, transform into a dragon chimera and then rip their way dramatically out of them to reinforce their final transformation from a familiar human person to an unfeeling monster?

I find it oddly sweet that he's worried for this giant, murderous, monster sister. She's huge, Laios. She's got more than feathers. She's got magic and body heat. She's fine.

This all makes sense because he saw it in those paintings but it legitimately sounds like he just pulled it out of his ass.

Idiot one, meet idiot two. You gotta love them.

Laios, your armor is going to give you frostbite.

....yeah, that's probably right. Does that look like that cat's hand?

....

Oh, hm. Well.

That guy in the top right is a little confused, but he's got the spirit.

If you're cold, they're cold. Let them inside.

No one can be as weird as the real Laios.

"I must consume" has almost got it, though. He's real close to figuring it out.

Oooh, this is fun. Like find the difference! I'm guessing the taller Senshis are from Chillchuck and someone else? Or maybe the smaller two are from Marcille and Laios, who always see him as smaller.

Marcille is definitely the most difficult one...

hair-down Marcille is definitely someone being lazy about remembering how Marcille does hair......

Whaaat? Noooo, he's fiiiine! I trust him completely!

All he has to do is think of you as monsters instead of people.

What could go wrong.

You guys were the ones who had the worst memories of what Laios actually is like.... hypocrites.

[thechekhov]

Delicious in Dungeon Quick Reacts: CH43

Ah, yes. The face of someone who goes into a disassociative state and commits atrocities.

The fun of reading Dungeon Meshi is realizing that although they're bumbling idiots, they're bumbling idiots of a relatively high level. They managed to get this deep previously!

Those are, arguably, very valuable.

Kids, kids, relax. There'll be plenty of time to murder each other with more than just your words later.

I was wondering how that water manged to stay where it did. I guess it. Didn't?

Hm. Can't farm on the back of that one, huh.

DEX 22.

STR 8.

Extremely impressed by how attractive but non sexualizing this is.

....ah, right. Laios.

Chillchuck. This entire time... did you. Did you not see Senshi take it off even once?

Jailed for his crimes of wanting to do basic science. Free him.

Marcille went Zero to Pet Owner in the span of about an hour.

Senshi has always had an I Can Fix Them energy that was more like an I Can Parent Them energy, but now that he's more or less finished with the rest of the party, he's like a listless dad looking for a new project. And apparently he's picked a really steep, uphill battle.

Awww, dadchuck is back.

And Izutsumi MIGHT be getting a bit more domesticated. Possibly. Just a bit. :)

[thechekhov]

Chekhov Reads Dungeon Meshi: CH47

I would like to thank Ryoko Kui for this.

I really love how, despite being antagonistic with Chilchuck, Izutsumi seems to like Marcille and him the best out of all the rest.

You know they're Japanese pancakes with that amount of air padding them out.... 😂

You know, it's interesting because if I remember correctly, taste is the oldest sense we have. Basic organisms surviving in water needed to be able to taste the environment in order to allow it to move away from acidic water, or dangerous environments. So it's curious that their taste is no longer working while their other senses remain.

....sounds like it was maybe less of the...power.... and maybe more of the fact that his old childhood friend was growing old?

....... y'know. Just suggesting...

To fight a trainer with a powerful pokemon, you must first capture a powerful pokemon yourself.

AIEEEEE~

I was JUST about to say "man, this kid seems to be a genuinely good leader! His people don't fear him and he has a good head on his shoulders. I sure hope nothing bad happens to him!"

And here we are.

Oooooh a forest? Or one of those water places.

Update: One of those water places. A cistern.

Her charm wore off! And now she can experience unspeakable horrors of being known in a vulnerable state.

Someone get this poor man some google maps.

Laios, why do you look.... less than thrilled with this information?

Oh, his Fixation Sense is tingling, that's why.

Oh? Rare Senshi moment of stubbornness?

Mayhaps even.... A BACKSTORY?

When the party is in Analysis Paralysis and the DM says 'roll initiative'

Marcille is taking this Crazy Future Girlfriend thing to all new highs.

Is he afraid of birds? Or lions? Or both? What is happening here? It makes no sense. It would be delicious! Senshi, stop that's like 60 kg of chicken wings, easy!

BONUS:

Here's the thing. They aren't like, twins necessarily. But I do think that Falin, while she's just as weird as Laios is, makes herself approachable to people. She cares about ghosts as beings, instead of seeing them only as a scientific anomaly.

But other than that.... honestly I feel like Toshi wouldn't fall in love with a female Laios either.

Marcille and Falin being MORE likely to go out to the dungeon as women makes sense somehow. Though I am amused at how femme-leaning all elves are naturally.

I think these gender twists are all pretty surface level but given that it's a conversation the party has in real time... I get it.

[thechekhov]

Chekhov Reads Dungeon Meshi: CH48

I KNEW in theory that they were on an island, but it's still such a huge wakeup call to realize that it's TINY and there are many more dungeons on the mainland.

Stuck between the hilarity of Senshi McGoogly Eyes being carried off by what is essentially a bird with some back legs (good thing it didn't try to gut him midair by kicking like big cats do).......... and the horror of a giant thing just carrying one of your friends off much, much faster than you can ever run.

I really love the environment here. Absolutely chilling on so many levels. Bravo.

Love that aside from Forbidden Necromancy we are now also introducing Forbidden Transmutation into the mix. That's a nice change of pace.

Marcille really is lawful evil. Like, she'll break the rules...... but only after there are solid rules to break.

...I've never caught that. I always assumed Senshi was just one of the first ones in. But the dungeon had existed for far longer. Maybe he's just been in there...... having a good time on his own? Imagine his surprise when his tunnels are suddenly filled with adventurers.

It COULD be. It could also be that he's from further away, and he came to the dungeon through tunnels, instead of up top.

THEY'RE PERFECT.

AWWW, HE ANGY.

The braincell. Is in position.

................................ Laios no. This is not the time for your sparkledog OC. Please. Laios please be serious.

Oh, he's actually being reasonable about this! :0

.....w...why was that the natural move...? Lions don't kick.... But ok I guess lmao

This feels like a conversation Kui san had with her editor.....

You just know this thing will be weird looking.

OR extremely silly. I'll take it!

Artists making the faces they draw energy.

Oh, hey that worked! But..... :( the skyfish buddy........

NOOOOOOOO HOW COULD YOU

(´。＿。｀)

I MEAN YEAH HE'S FULL OF VEGETABLES BUT--

He does look delicious, not gonna lie. And it's a Laios special!!

Are we about to have Senshi backstory for dessert?

Just drop that little tidbit at the end, yeah, go right ahead hahaha. "due to various circumstances"......... is that your work or DIVORCE?

hang on a second

SENSHI IS STEVEN UNIVERSE CONFIRMED????

Okay,I kid but. He's so young! Not even a proper dwarf yet! How old WAS he? Why go on this expedition????

I'm INTRIGUED!

[thechekhov]

Chekhov Reads Dungeon Meshi: CH46

D....dark Laios?

I mean, you DID consent!

The fact that ghosts can pass through walls and take other things with them... it kind of elicits another type of organism. Like, what can pass through cell walls? What other parts of the body can just yoink stuff from one place and bring it to another?

Congrats! It's all just been a dream!

I'm sorry what the SHIT?!?!?

Well, I-- .... yeah, I GUESS.

Though it looks more like one of those carousel horses.

I think this is probably still inside the dungeon. Very... DEEP. Inside the dungeon.

What? WHAT?! These things are like regular animals down here???

Oh, I--hm. I see.

Ordered by WHOMST?

Is this just an entire society of (humans??? ghosts?) that lives here in the dungeon deep? Is there still a king under the mountain? Are the rumors of the king dying not true at all?

........or are these people and descendants of adventurers who came in but were never able to leave? And the fact that Senshi points out that none of them are old.... are they ageing?

Laios, Senshi n--...... welp. There they go.

Bless this man and his absolutely non sexual obsession with monsters. But.

Izutsumi, who is a human-level intellect beastkin (though she's low on wisdom and patience....) is being very.... beast-ly and soft here. She's being magically compelled, presumably, to chill the fuck out.

Which means all these monsters are also under the same effect? Isn't that a little fucked up? They're basically under a permanent drugged effect.

Also. Hm. 'short lifespan' is....relative. Short lifespan compared to what? Immortality?

Orcs know this place exists....?

These people planting things for fun means they're absolutely trapped here like spirits.

Keeping up appearances for. Whom.

These poor people have no new incomers to talk to, huh.

Oh, I uh---- ................ hm. THat's not at all what I was imagining either.

Fashion is cyclical after all I guess....

Mmmmm. Mmmm-hmmmMMM.

WHEEEEZXE

Knowing I've finally hit these two absolutely iconic panels... amazing.

......I guess it can only do so much to make her docile...... she still doesn't like Laios.

Why does he look familiar...?

....so Derghal had a son. And a grandson. So then why is there a bid for the throne...?

Laios. Laios, is milking the minotaur the ONLY thing you did? Or was there more to it? Laios.

It's interesting. That bartender said he was 600 when he started his now-400 year old ale. So. That means they're 1000 years old.

That means that they're about as long lived as elves? Haven't gone mad yet. But that's still a long time.

That's kinda worse, yeah, but a loss of the self is a type of death, in a way...? So....

The most throwback of all time.

Actually, I feel like that's been there for a while, although it didn't always look EXACTLY like a lion's head. I feel like the little living armor he keeps in there made it that design? But how would it do that on purpose?

this is what it looked like some chapters back. Yeah, it's been sculpting into a lion's mane for a while now.... Ohohohoh playing the long game are we? 👀

Ah, it's not a wolf. How tragic for you, Laios. It'll never work out.

Also, damn, those wings sure be lookin like Falin's very non-dragon wings. What a wild coincidence. I'm sure that doesn't mean anything. :)

laughing hysterically. This poor guy can't get a break. He's been running from responsibility and inheritance for his entire life and it still catches up and trips him purposefully.

There is definitely a certain amount of tragedy there, yeah. These people aren't asking Laios for help because it's easier. They're legitimately stuck in a nightmare scenario. Unless you're someone who can get pleasure from other avenues, living all that time without the basic needs will drive a person mad. Elves live just as long, presumably, but they're still able to eat, I assume.

I'm honestly more surprised they're all as sane as they are.

.......King of Forgor.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts

CH. 35 (Cleaners)

Every time Senshi takes his helmet off, I cheer.

Chillchuck, YOU were also running around looking for food! You were also very much involved in that!

I live for these moments when they just talk shit at each other just like a little found family ought to.

The dungeon, like a giant organism, heals itself............ hmmm.

That's his hole, Laios. Don't look at his hole.

Wait, hang on, Laios is the only one who can see them? That means it IS just like Falin's power! He's tapped into her ghost senses!

Marcille really took 'we're running, it's bad' and reversed it into 'it's bad, we're not running'.

I love that Marcille just keeps holding Chillchuck like a toddler.

LET THE SPECULATIVE ECOLOGY COMMENCE!

I feel like these Cleaners are kind of an offshoot of mimics? The fact that they're re-creating the dungeon makes it feel like they have at least some of the same abilities that mimics do. But I wonder what their life-cycle is? What's the point of re-creating a dungeon? What do they get out of it?

Oh, hmmm, so they feed on the damaged materials and then.... poop out the remains to restore the dungeon? But again, for what? Why specifically mimic the previous layout?

And is the changing dungeon somehow a part of that? How would cleaners deal with an ever-evolving landscape?

.......it really is just one big digestive tract, huh.

Welcome to the Mystery Fleshpit Dungeon.

Someone who's never read dungeon meshi, explain what's happening in these three panels.

It's like a bread bowl, but completely different.

...haven't you been eating magical creatures for the entire trip?

thanks, kui-san, for those thighs.

........if y'all really thought these were not humanoids, you need glasses. Does everyone have bad vision? They were literally sitting around a campfire chatting.

"well you don't know me... but I know you"

....the look of pain in his eyes almost makes me feel sorry for him.

oh, holy shit, they actually brought Shadow Laios along! What a horrible surprise.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts

CH.31 (Dryad)

Marcille, your stick--I mean staff!

Sobbing, wheezing with laughter, crying. Boys........boys why are you like this.

IS THE PLOT GOING TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE DUNGEON NOW?

Did the orcs not point them in the right direction at least?!

Marcille, you look like shit. I guess you haven't recovered after that intense battle too well.... and this is bad news if you guys are now being herded into a labyrinth by that sorcerer.........

aww, come on. They're just a bunch of little guys! Look at em!

Lookit em.

MAKING THE WORGS WAVE THEIR PAWS GOODBYE NOOOO STOP IT THIS IS TOO MUCH

S-senshi..... Senshi.........do you think you're traveling with children? Senshi. Did you. Did you actually think you faced a red dragon with children at your side? Was that a logical thing you did? Was that really how you reasoned it out...?

Then again, I think Senshi MUST be older than all of them in comparison but still...........

Go, Chillchuck! I choose you!

My money is on the ghosts which are clearly numerous and common in this world.

👀

Oh?????

SENSHI, LET HIM LOOK!!!! DON'T BE A HOMOPHOBE!

Live slug Dryad reaction

Well now that seems extreme but I trust him.

So.... a cold...?

Oh for the love of--

You had me going there for a second.

I'll develop hayfever if it comes free with looking at ladies smooching all day, ffs. First world problems, guys,

Okay, on second thought, anthropomorphic allergens are kinda creepy.

Someone who's never read Dungeon meshi explain what's happening in this image.

Gotta say, improvised mastectomy was not on my bingo sheet.

I mean......NOW it is........

Their faces......they're so fucking tired of his shit.

........I........I'm with Marcille on this one............ ....please put those back.

Marcille and Essek would get along great.

That dryad was the one with the least amount of boobage, too. Trans rights, I guess.

Senshi draws the line at........fruit babies that don't yet look baby-like....? Curious.

And now we're back to smashing faces. What an excellent harvest of uncanny valley.

"I'll still eat it, though!" You know what that is? Growth.

C-can he... do that? Just learn magic without anything?

I mean, it's stupid to ask I guess. I know wizards exist. I guess I just thought this fantasy system required a knack for it?

What a big happy....... family.

Gods, the terror of having another adult try to babysplain sex to you. Every day Chillchuck wakes up.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts

CH. 33 Sea Serpent (Part II)

Ah, so we're taking a little intermission break from the main team I see. That's just gonna keep being a thing. Alright... keep your secrets...

This is so...normal. I'm not used to it at all.

Feeling a bit of pride for our girl Marcille rn

.....now that I know he's a little bit fucked up, that reaction does not inspire good feelings.

Last name drop?????

They're gay, K.... K..... Kaios?

I've forgotten his name.

Alright, Sherlock, we get it. Cellphone chargers, etc, etc.

Dwarf stinky.

But let's be real, Senshi probably smells like cooking oil.

is..... is the Japanese guy not human by virtue of being 'eastern'? What?????? 😂 I hope it's just this translation....

Hmmm.. so Namari's family got a bad rep, and Laios and Falin took her in, but that means that no one would be willing to take her place? I mean, it's not as if they NEED a dwarf.... it's not as in the dwarf would know anything about previous dynamics... especially if he had been living off of dungeon monsters.........

Senshi is only dangerous to food, chill out bud.

The dynamic here is..... sure something.

The fact that they're fully mispronouncing his name makes so much more sense now.

this boy straight up isekai'd himself to what. have his little DBZ plotline? Is that it?

ah yes. the other type of Guy.

...y.....ya good?

So Laios and Falin got swindled. You're saying they got swindled out of their money because they were trying to be kind. That's what you're saying? Just so that we're all on the same page.

Guy Who Has HyperFixated on Reading People's Intentions Takes the Biggest L.

I mean, to be fair, I don't think Laios cares about people as much as he cares about Falin. But FALIN. come ON. FALIN!

Actually no, Laios agreed to return to the surface for his team instead of following Falin. He's a good egg. SLANDER!! THIS IS SLANDER!!!!!

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyikes on spikes.

"This whole dungeon system is fucked up, am I right? Anyway. I'm going to buy Twitter take over, that will definitely fix things."

GASP!! A BABY!!!

Oh, the one this and the PREVIOUS chapter was named for? I'm glad it finally showed up!

I cast STRENGTH SAVE! It's TERRIBLE! 😂

👁👁

"her"....

specced poorly, my man. It's a skill issue.

who are you? I would die for you.

This is.......a lot to take in at once. But that's definitely... that's the guy whose name they kept butchering, right? Right? He looks like he partook of the sake a bit too much recently but that's him, right? Why does he have a fangroup now?

Yeah, this is what losing Falin does to people.

Although... this is also a skill issue. Marcile just used the pain to become a stronger, more fucked up version of herself. This guy needs to up his game.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH44

How is Senshi the cutest one every time.

Putting your cat into little outfits energy.

Does she even need a coat? She's got fur...

eat the little screaming man, izutsumi

laios really said "my hungry ass would NOT be here if eating monsters turned you into a monster" and Marcille straight up did not catch it. He's a cm away from the edge. He's out here covering himself in oil and running around the campfire, trying to lure werewolves out to bite him. He's simmering himself into soup. Wake up. Laios has the more complex nonsexual vore kink ever.

.......why is her troupe trying not to use her name? I wonder if there's something specific about that. It wasn't just a nickname?

Awww, dad's all tuckered out.

I know I'm probably meant to find Izutsumi relatable on a childish level but I'm gonna be honest here. Her character hits too close to home where spoiled people are concerned for me to harbor any level of affection for her. I can understand how she might be beloved but man. Everything she says makes my eye twitch. If she were legitimately a child, it would be understandable. But she seems to be a young adult. At which point like. If you don't like the circumstances.... leave? Just leave. Just walk away if you don't want to eat their food. What are you yelling for? 😂 You joined THEM. They ain't forcing you to do shit. But instead of peacing out you're just screaming at them like a toddler.

Although to a point, I can understand her motivations. I understand how she has come this far, being so feral. I get WHY she is the way she is. But man. These guys are so patient with her.

I'm sorry wh. What.

Oh, I'm sure that's FINE.

Oh, yeah, for sure. That's perfectly fine.

When I said walk away - yeah, that's exactly what I meant. But Marcille and the others are chasing after her, so I guess... they don't agree. 😅

Child.......................... ah, nevermind. It's not even worth it.

Okay, the cutaway from the heartfelt selfless message to a cat just going 'ah, well, fuck it, I don't care' WAS kinda funny actually.

This is hilarious because in Japanese, the word order (SOV) means the translation here is incorrect. I mean, it's correct for what matters. But while the English phrase is 'close your eyes' then Japanese sentence is '目 を つぶって' which is literally EYES (ACC. particle) CLOSE!!

I love Marcille. She's a wimp, but she's the strongest wimp I know.

Laios:

Wolves: Man, I don't think I want to have whatever HE'S having.

So....is it.... like meat.... or is it like a vegetable...???

the fucking STYLE SHIFT

Listen, Tade is earning her thighs. Leave her alone.

Izutsumi and Chilchuk can bond over being babied by the other three.