REVIEW: ‘Delicious In Dungeon’ Episode 24 — “Dumplings -2-/Bacon and Eggs”

Struggling to cope with their recent transformations, the party heads deeper into the dungeon. But with significant challenges ahead, the group needs to formulate a plan if they are going to restore Falin to her former self in Delicious in Dungeon Episode 24 (Dungeon Meshi), “Dumplings -2-/Bacon and Eggs.”

Endings are often said to be the most critical part of a story. As the last element the audience engages with, it leaves the most vivid impression. Strong, impactful endings stay with the viewer long after the credits roll, leaving them eager for more. Sadly, Delicious in Dungeon Episode 24 doesn’t deliver that memorable note, opting to quietly slip away as its season closes.

Opening Delicious in Dungeon Episode 24, we see the party continue to explore the dungeon. While they search, more questions concerning their transformations are explored. How long will they last, what effects the change of race will have on their aging, etc. are discussed. How the episode eventually answers many of these quandaries feels fitting. It delivers one more clever attempt to bring a grounded element to its fantastic creatures.

How to solve their current predicament is a realization that comes out of a run-in with some gargoyles. During the scuffle, Marcille (Sayaka Senbongi) and Chilchuck (Asuna Tomari) discover that they can act as rings to transform things, just as the ring of mushrooms transformed them. This leads the group to realize that they are still covered in the spores of the changeling mushrooms. After the party defeats the gargoyles, the group washes up, removing the lingering spores. After a good night’s sleep, everyone finds themselves as they should be.

Along with providing the solution to their transformation problem, this sequence lets Studio TRIGGER flex its animation muscles one last time. The sequence provides comedy and danger as the heroes overcome their foes. It delivers a bit of excitement and energy in the middle of an episode that is mostly talking.

Before the party sets out again, the group decides to have a good meal. But when Izutsumi (Mitsuho Kambe) grumbles about having nothing but dumplings again to eat, Senshi (Hiroshi Naka) is left looking for a way to convince the picky eater to partake in the meal. Delicious in Dungeon Episode 24 delivers a wonderful moment of creativity as Senshi turns leftovers into something much more compelling. This allows everyone to have an exciting meal after the weird experiences of the recent past.

Once the plates are empty and bellies are full, our heroes set out once more. The party soon discovers a mechanical lift. Once aboard, the vehicle begins moving, taking the group further down into the dungeon. With no immediate danger present and no visible way to stop the vehicle, the party settles in for a quiet trip. While traveling, Senshi inquires about how Laios (Kentarô Kumagai) came to be an adventurer since gold and fame don’t seem like motivations for him.

Laios explains that he never really fit in where he was from, and a tour of military service didn’t work out either. Having failed there, Laios just drifted around for a while doing odd work until he happened upon the magical school Falin was studying at. When she saw the state he was in, she dropped out to travel with him. The duo eventually found themselves on the island, where they were drawn into the dungeon.

This piece of backstory feels good for Laios’ character. While it has its sad moments, it isn’t trying to be overly tragic. By not overdoing the tale, it helps the viewer believe Laios could come through all he has still bearing his generally cheerful demeanor.

With the mention of Falin, we get a sweet moment between Marcille and Izutsumi. As Izutsumi is napping with her head in Marcille’s lap, she is awoken by tears falling on her face. She is startled to find Marcille sobbing. Izutsumi tries to comfort her companion with some charmingly awkward results. Both animation and voice acting combine to bring this endearing moment to life. It works for both characters as we continue to see Izutsumi become one of the group.

As Izutsumi comforts Marcille, Senshi and Laios continue to stew over the problem of how to undo Falin’s transformation. The solution Laios comes to is disturbing. When Senshi suggests that the two halves of Falin, human and monster, may be separable, Laios decides that the best way to split the two halves is to eat the dragon half of Falin.

While this solution feels on theme for the series, the concept of cutting the human half of Falin off so they can cook and eat the rest is just bizarre. The show presents some basis for why this may be the only way to cleanly separate the two halves, but it still feels offputting to send the narrative in this direction.

With their new plan in place, Delicious in Dungeon Episode 24 wraps up with the party settling into another meal as they wait to arrive at their destination. Wherever that may be. With little concrete setup, these final moments will leave many viewers disappointed. As a season-ending episode, it doesn’t work as nothing feels concluded. Beyond that, the episode manages to deliver some well-executed backstory, some fun excitement, and a plan for how to tackle the series’ big objective. Disturbing, though, that plan may be.

Delicious in Dungeon Episode 24 is streaming on Netflix.