Recommendation: Dungeon Elf - What's a Dungeon Without Treasure Chests?
Adventurers are among the bravest people in the world. They risk life and limb to fight monsters and are often handsomely rewarded! No matter the location, be it in the deepest, darkest dungeon, atop the highest peak of the world, or at the bottom of a lake, there are always chests full of loot to reward them for their efforts. But have you ever wondered who and how those chests are replaced? Enter Dungeon Elf.
Written by the mangaka River Slan, our story begins on a mountain where a solitary elf treks up a snowy path. Complete with a framework backpack that, of course, contains a treasure chest, our heroine is accosted by several monsters. Not to worry, dear reader, she makes short work of them. Eventually, she makes it to the spot and places her chest for the next adventurer, and the chapter ends with her watching the sun rise while enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee.
Dungeon Elf: What Is a Dungeon Without Treasure Chests? is a new manga series with only six chapters currently out on K Manga (and some bonus stories). Despite it being serialized for less than two months, you should hit the ground running with it. You may have noticed mentions of "Frieren herself recommending this [Dungeon Elf] manga" and that is because the official Twitter/X account for the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End manga posted an endorsement on January 8, the day after the first volume was relased.
Since Frieren is well known for her love of dungeon crawling (especially when it ends with a good spell), this is one manga you can bet the certificated loot gremlin herself would enjoy. Each chapter takes our heroine to a new location from snow-covered peaks to the sky and even a ghost ship! The world feels very much like Frieren: Beyond Journey's End in that regard, but there's also a section in each chapter where our Elf makes herself a meal, which certainly invokes memories of Dungeon in Dungeon. The story so far has also featured a boss character in every chapter, and our ever-resourceful elf always had one more trick up her sleeve to take care of them; I won't spoil it here, but trust me, it's pretty fantastic. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the companion of our brave Elf, a slime! But not just any slime: this little creature has evolved to not only be of a nice, mild temper but also, oddly enough, taste amazing! Don't worry, the slime regenerates. Honestly, what would a modern fantasy anime be without some kind of cute mascot?
As far as the art style goes, Dungeon Elf once again brings to mind the art of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Delicious in Dungeon, with a bit of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord while still managing to have its own distinct style. The locations in each chapter are very rich and give the feeling of having existed for a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if landscapes were a specialty of River Slan's. As far as fan service goes, you may be disappointed to learn that there hasn't been much of it, beyond Chapter 2 having our Elf in a bikini for an underwater trek to the main dungeon (while enjoying food).
In closing, Dungeon Elf is a series that's worth checking out if you love fantasy without wanting yet another isekai. With the recent Elf mania that's been going on in anime and manga recently, I definitely smell a series coming very shortly. So check it out and discover just how those mysterious chests always end up everywhere!
Dungeon Elf: What Is a Dungeon Without Treasure Chests? is available to read on K MANGA service in English. In Japan, it is serialized in Kodansha's Good Afternoon magazine.
© River Slain/Kodansha Ltd.