Dungeon exploring is a captivating and thrilling theme in anime, and it brings a sense of adventure, danger, and mystery that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. From labyrinths filled with monsters to treacherous ruins containing hidden treasures, the dungeon is the perfect setting for anime series to challenge characters physically and mentally. Here's a roundup of must watch anime that feature dungeon exploration in all its forms — whether it’s full of fantasy elements, strategies, or humor.
1. Made in Abyss
If you’re looking for an anime that combines beautiful visuals with deep emotional storytelling, Made in Abyss is a must watch. The story follows Riko, a young girl who descends into the Abyss, a mysterious, deadly chasm filled with strange creatures and artifacts. The Abyss is a place where adventurers risk their lives to explore and uncover its secrets, but with every level, the dangers grow more intense.
Riko's journey is one of discovery, but also one of heartache as she encounters the Abyss' darker side. With its unique animation style, intricate world building, and a plot full of intrigue and mystery, Made in Abyss offers a beautifully melancholic and perilous take on dungeon exploration.
2. Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling has taken the anime world by storm with its mix of dungeon crawling and RPG style power ups. The protagonist, Sung Jin Woo, begins as the weakest hunter in a world where dungeons filled with dangerous monsters are a regular part of life. But after a near death experience, he gains the ability to level up and become stronger at an extraordinary rate.
The series is packed with action, stunning visuals, and a gripping story of Jin Woo’s transformation from weakling to formidable hero. Solo Leveling showcases the journey through dungeons as a personal quest for power, with the protagonist battling monsters and rival hunters in intense, high stakes encounters.
3. Delicious in Dungeon
If you’re looking for an anime that combines dungeon exploration with humor and heartwarming moments, Delicious in Dungeon offers a unique and delightful twist. The story follows Laios and his party as they venture into a dangerous dungeon to rescue their kidnapped comrade. Along the way, they not only face terrifying monsters but also discover the art of cooking with ingredients found in the dungeon, including monster meat.
This series stands out for its quirky blend of adventure and cooking, where the dungeon isn’t just a setting for battle but also for culinary creativity. Delicious in Dungeon is an incredibly fun and light hearted take on dungeon exploration with a touch of fantasy and food related humor.
4. The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter mixes dungeon crawling with fantasy and romantic comedy. The story follows Noir, a young man who discovers a secret dungeon that only he can access. Inside, he gains powerful abilities that help him on his journey to change his life for the better. But the dungeon’s mysterious power also attracts the attention of others, and Noir soon finds himself surrounded by a variety of characters, including the beautiful Olivia, whose presence adds a layer of romance to the story.
This series takes the dungeon exploration concept and adds lighthearted comedy and personal growth, making it an entertaining watch for fans of both fantasy and romance.
5. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
A blend of Middle Eastern mythology and high fantasy, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic follows the adventures of Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana as they explore dungeons filled with treasures and ancient magic. The series draws heavy inspiration from the tales of One Thousand and One Nights , incorporating powerful artifacts, magical creatures, and complex relationships.
The dungeon explorations in Magi are filled with adventure and intrigue as the characters uncover secrets from the past and fight for their future. The series is packed with action, drama, and moments of self discovery, making it a standout for anyone who loves stories with deep lore and engaging dungeon settings.
6. Overlord
Overlord takes a darker approach to dungeon exploration, following the story of Momonga, a player who finds himself trapped in a virtual reality game when the servers shut down. With the game world becoming his reality, Momonga — now known as Ainz Ooal Gown — seeks to explore and conquer dungeons, using his immense power to control monsters and guilds.
What makes Overlord particularly compelling is its focus on strategy, world building, and power dynamics. The series blends dungeon exploration with themes of governance and power struggles as Ainz and his loyal followers explore the game world, encountering new challenges along the way. This darker take on dungeon crawling focuses on leadership, control, and survival, making it a must watch for fans of more serious fantasy settings.
7. The Tower of Druaga
In The Tower of Druaga , a classic fantasy adventure, the story is set in a world where an immense tower holds the key to great power and riches. The protagonist, Gilgamesh, along with his companions, sets out to explore the tower and defeat the evil forces that reside within it. As the characters ascend the tower, they encounter dangerous monsters, traps, and other challenges.
The series is filled with action, puzzles, and memorable characters, all while exploring themes of teamwork, courage, and perseverance. The dungeon based exploration in The Tower of Druaga offers a traditional fantasy adventure with a focus on climbing ever higher in pursuit of greater rewards.
8. The Dungeon of Black Company
The Dungeon of Black Company is a unique take on the dungeon exploration genre, with a satirical and comedic twist. The series follows Kinichiro Imamura, a lazy and selfish businessman who finds himself transported to a fantasy world where he is forced to work in a dungeon as a slave. The dungeons here are not the usual places of heroic adventure but rather a hellish environment full of exploitation and hard labor.
This anime is an irreverent and funny commentary on corporate greed and the struggles of the working class, all set against the backdrop of dungeon exploration. The humor and cynicism make The Dungeon of Black Company a refreshing and light hearted take on the genre.
9. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest
In Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest , Hajime Nagumo’s journey begins in a fantasy world, where he’s transported along with his classmates. However, unlike his peers, Hajime is the weakest member of the group and is cast aside in a dangerous dungeon. Rather than giving up, Hajime uses his wits and a series of unexpected events to survive, gaining powerful abilities and exploring deeper dungeons as he seeks to grow stronger and avenge those who betrayed him.
This anime offers a darker twist on dungeon exploration, with a focus on revenge, personal growth, and transformation as Hajime fights his way through ever deeper and more dangerous dungeons. It’s a high stakes adventure for fans of intense action and character development.
10. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Popularly known as DanMachi , this anime is set in the fantastical city of Orario, where adventurers delve into the dungeon beneath the city in search of treasure, fame, and glory. The story follows Bell Cranel, a young adventurer who dreams of becoming the greatest hero. Alongside the goddess Hestia, he explores the dungeon, facing powerful monsters and discovering the secrets that lie below.
DanMachi is a blend of dungeon crawling, character growth, and romantic comedy, with plenty of action packed moments. The dungeon itself becomes a metaphor for personal growth as Bell and his companions navigate its dangerous depths, learning more about themselves and their place in the world.
11. Log Horizon
While Log Horizon doesn’t follow traditional dungeon crawling adventures in the same way other series do, it still involves exploring a virtual world filled with dungeons and challenges. The story follows a group of players who are trapped in an MMORPG when a new expansion pack locks them inside the game. As they come to terms with their new reality, they explore dungeons and learn the intricacies of their new world while building relationships with other players.
Log Horizon focuses on strategy, community building, and adapting to the challenges of the dungeon like world they now inhabit. It’s a thoughtful take on dungeon exploration that dives into the psychology of its characters as they try to make the best of their situation.
12. So I’m a Spider, So What?
In So I’m a Spider, So What? , the protagonist is reincarnated as a spider monster in a dangerous dungeon, filled with predators and perilous traps. Rather than simply trying to escape, the spider must use its wits and abilities to evolve, grow stronger, and survive in this unforgiving environment.
This series combines dungeon exploration with a survival game aspect as the spider protagonist navigates the dungeon and learns how to overcome the challenges it faces. So I’m a Spider, So What? offers a unique perspective by focusing on the perspective of a monster and the hardships of surviving in the dungeon rather than conquering it.
Additional Mentions
The following series have some dungeon elements in them, but only for an episode or two.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
The Rising of The Shield Hero
The Seven Deadly Sins
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End