REVIEW: ‘Delicious in Dungeon’ Episode 13 – “Red Dragon III/Good Medicine”

Falin (Saori Hayami) is back with the party. Thanks to the ancient magic of Marcille (Sayaka Senbongi), the party has found its long-lost friend. But something strange is happening. A mage from the dungeon is displeased with the party’s actions and has plans for both them and Falin in Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi) Episode 13, “Red Dragon III/Good Medicine.”

The story begins in the dead of night. While Senshi (Hiroshi Naka) works to preserve their food and most sleep soundly, Falin is troubled. She wakes up disturbed and proceeds to leave via the third-story window. She moves like one compelled. As she arrives at the dragon’s remains, she finds a mysterious elf mage seemingly conversing with the carcass. Sharp-eyed viewers will recognize this elf from the last episode’s teaser and Laios’s (Kentarô Kumagai) trips into the paintings.

This sequence establishes an incredible amount of tone. The lighting and energy fit the creepy vibes perfectly. How Studio TRIGGER delivers Falin’s state through the animation is also excellent. The character’s condition is always skillfully displayed, from the awkward edge to her movements to the terror in her eyes. The entire moment comes together beautifully.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 returns to the rest of the party as Laios awakens. The clattering of his sword falling rouses him from sleep. Awake, he soon panics when he finds Falin no longer lying next to Marcille. His concern grows when Senshi informs him no one has left the room, at least not by the door. Laios soon rouses the others and heads outside to find his sister.

When Laios exits the building, he finds the dragon’s remains smoldering and Falin kneeling in a pool of blood. She is even more panicky now. She clutches the sides of her head and rambles about finding a king. As Laios tries to calm his sister, the elf appears again. Talking in a cold, even tone, the elf makes its displeasure with Laios and the rest of the party known. The very presence of this mage sends chills down Laios’ spine. The tension established early in the sequence continues to build as it shifts to outright fear.

The elf’s plans for Laios are interrupted when Marcille and the others arrive. Sending a stray magical blast past the elf’s head, Marcille warns him of what will happen if he doesn’t leave her friends alone. Turning to face his new foe, the mysterious elf begins chanting ancient magic. As numerous creatures form from the dragon’s pooled blood, Marcille realizes she may be out of her league.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 delivers its one moment of action here. As swarms of blood-born creatures attack the party, Marcille strives to keep the attack at bay. The intensity of the moment comes through wonderfully. As Marcille struggles to fend off the unending swarm, the odds of her success dwindle.

While the overall execution of the moment is well done, there is a bit of a hiccup. As Marcille realizes she can’t hold on, she begins to break down into a panic. While this response is reasonable, how far the episode pushes her feels a bit over the top for the moment. As she counters attack after attack, Marcille begins breaking out into laughter, seemingly losing her sanity, if only for this scene. The raving laughter feels like it takes the response off course. Panic, sure. Utter insanity, maybe not. This failure increases due to the animation. While crisply delivered, the exaggatory style pushes Marcille’s response into the deep end.

With Marcille nearing exhaustion, the fight abruptly ends when the mystery mage opens the floor beneath her, Senshi, Chilchuck (Asuna Tomari), and Laios, causing them to disappear. With the distractions out of the way, our mysterious antagonist has a brief conversation with Falin. Or at least, with her body. The discourse within this moment heavily implies that Falin isn’t the only thing inside her form. Marcille’s resurrection spell likely brought some measure of the dragon’s consciousness into Falin. As the scene cuts away, we see Falin agreeing to obey the elf’s commands as dragon’s blood creeps up her cheeks in rivulets. Promising when we next meet the kind-hearted mage, she will be transformed into something different.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 then catches up with the rest of the party as they find themselves trapped. As the walls close in, our heroes struggle not to be crushed. As the claustrophobia and panic reach a fever pitch, The group is saved by an unexpected source. Ghosts suddenly reach through the wall, pulling Marcille through and opening a hole for the others to follow.

While the episode never explains why the ghosts care enough to save the group, the obvious assumption is Falin. Earlier encounters emphasize how kindly Falin deals with the dead. That her kindness is coming back around to aid her friends in their hour of need feels like the most reasonable explanation.

After their narrow escape, the party next encounters a group of orcs. While the moment threatens to become another struggle, the danger swiftly passes when the orcs recognize Senshi. From here, they not only spare the party any trouble but also prepare medicine to help the ailing Laios and Marcille. The preparation and administration of the orcs’ noxious medicine is a perfect moment of comic relief. With all the danger, tension, and mystery that has filled the episode to this point, cutting the tension is a perfect distraction.

While they wait for their comrades to awaken, Senshi and Chilchuck discuss what to do next. Chilchuck insists that they have to return to the surface. He tells Senshi they should lie to Laios, concocting a story that will convince him to return to safety rather than continue to rush headlong after Falin.

The way this sequence treats Chilchuck is complicated. Initially, it is presented that the rogue’s reasoning is based on cowardice. That he is willing to do anything, even deceive a friend to save his own skin. This feels grossly unfair. Given the single-mindedness Laios and Marcille have both shown to date, his fears that they will all get dragged to their deaths seem more than valid. While you can argue whether deceit is ever justified, that Chilchuck’s mental state can’t handle it anymore makes his approach feel at least understandable. He certainly doesn’t deserve the treatment he gets for it.

Chilchuck ultimately does what everyone wants and tells Laios the truth. He implores his friend to let them return to the surface for aid and resupply. And to this, Laios agrees. While played as a feel-good moment of understanding and compassion, it feels completely insincere for the character. Laios’ focus and drive are far too big a piece of his character to be set aside so willingly. While it would be believable for him to eventually come around, that one teary-eyed request from Chilchuck is all it takes and comes across as narratively forced.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 delivers an entry with great strengths and weaknesses. While the animation and mood of the episode are nearly flawless, some of its plot choices and treatment of its characters come up short.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 is streaming now on Netflix.