Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka (ダンジョンに出会いを求めるのは間違っているだろうか, lit. Is It Wrong to Seek an Encounter in a Dungeon? and officially translated as Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?) is a Japanese light novel series written by Oomori Fujino and illustrated by Yasuda Suzuhito. Originally a web novel, the series has been published by GA Bunko since January 2013 and also has two spin-offs, Sword Oratoria and Familia Chronicle. Additionally, Oomori has written a few stories for the gacha game Memoria Freese, some of which have received adaptations; Christmas Eve Träumerei received a manga adaptation, while Astraea Record and Argonaut were adapted into light novel format.
The light novel series has been adapted into an anime series, which was animated by J.C. Staff, premiering in April 2015 through June 2015, followed by an OVA. The series has been also adapted into an ongoing manga series, which began serialization in Young Gangan in 2013. A spin-off manga, Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka 4koma Kamisama no Nichijou, was published on Gangan Online from August 2014 to May 2015 and is currently being published again from May 2016 as Season 2. A second season was announced at the GA Bunko Stage 2018 along with a movie, Arrow of Orion, and was later revealed to air Summer 2019.
A third season of the anime series was announced along with a new OVA episode after the finale of season 2. The new OVA was released on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. The third season aired from October 2020 through December 2020.
A fourth season was announced for 2022 during the GA Bunko 15th anniversary event. It was revealed to air in the summer during the AnimeJapan 2022 event. The season was divided into two cours; the first ran from July 22 to September 30, while the second part ran from January 5 to March 16, 2023.
The name is often shortened to just DanMachi (ダンまち); the "Dan" from Danjon/Dungeon (ダンジョン) and the "Machi" from Machigatteiru (間違っている).
Plot[]
At the center of Orario is a vast underground labyrinth known as the Dungeon, in which an endless supply on Monsters reside. Seeking enjoyment, the Gods and Goddess came down from Heaven, giving up their divine power, but in return, are able to bestow some of it upon the mortals, who become part of their Familia.
Longing for an adventure like those in the stories he grew up with, Bell Cranel travels to Orario where he becomes the lone member of the Hestia Familia. He is attacked by a Minotaur, and unable to do anything, is saved by First Class adventurer Ais Wallenstein. Bell falls in love, and upon realizing the vast gap in power between them, begins to train himself so that he could one day become an adventurer worthy of her, unknowingly developing an ability known as "Liaris Freese", granting him rapid growth in strength. During the Monster Feria event, Bell and Hestia are attacked by a monster, and utilizing a special knife his Goddess gave to him, he is able to successfully defeat it. (Volume 1)
Bell continues on his path to become stronger and is convinced to form a party if he intends to explore further into the Dungeon. He forms one with supporter Liliruca Arde, who unbeknownst to him plans to steal his knife, believing all adventurers are rotten due to her poor history in her Familia. Bell ends up learning a Magic spell after accidentally reading from a Grimoire. Despite Bell's friendly nature, Lili still attempts to steal the knife, but after she is betrayed by her fellow Familia members, Bell saves Lili and wins her trust. (Volume 2)
Bell formally meets Ais, with her agreeing to help train him to get stronger. Meanwhile, Bell has caught the attention of the Goddess Freya, who has her attendant Ottar lure a trained Minotaur to force Bell to overcome his trauma. He is successfully able to defeat it on his own, greatly impressing those in the Loki Familia, and puts on a new record by levelling up to Level 2. (Volume 3)
After setting this new record, Bell starts to gain the attention of those around him, as well as attaining the nickname "Little Rookie". While seeking new armor and others to form a party with him, he meets and befriends the blacksmith Welf Crozzo, who agrees to join him. (Volume 4)
Bell and his party end up stranded in the Dungeon due to a freak accident and head further downwards to the safe zone on the 18th floor for safety. After recovering with the Loki Familia, they spend time with Hestia and the others that came to rescue them in the city of Rivira. Hestia is kidnapped by other adventurers, but after she is saved, an irregular Monster Rex appears rampaging through the town. With the support of the over 100 adventurers, Bell and the others successfully defeat the Monster Rex. (Volume 5)
Following the incident on the 18th floor, the God Apollo sets his sights on Bell. He orchestrates a series of events to force Hestia Familia into accepting a War Game, in which he will be able to claim Bell for himself. Through their planning, Lili, Welf, and Yamato Mikoto convert to the Hestia Familia, and with assistance from Ryuu Lion, succeed in defeating the Apollo Familia, winning everything he has for themselves. (Volume 6)
The newly formed Hestia Familia move into their new home, with Bell now a Level 3. Bell has an encounter with Sanjouno Haruhime, an old friend of Mikoto's and a Familia member of the Goddess Ishtar. Bell finds himself unintentionally thrown into the middle of Ishtar's plot to use Haruhime's power to defeat Freya, and resolves to save her. He succeeds in doing so, while Freya and her Familia swiftly take down Ishtar and her's. Haruhime soon converts to the Hestia Familia. (Volume 7)
Rakia's God Ares attacks Orario with his 30,000 soldiers, however, Orario spends its days undisturbed by the fighting outside. During these events, the Hestia Familia learn the truth about Bell's secret ability, Welf re-encounters his old family, and Bell, Hestia, and Ais end up in a town on the outskirts of Orario after a failed god-napping attempt by Ares. (Volume 8)
Bell encounters a monster girl in the Dungeon who is able to speak the human language. He protects her, and the rest of their Familia end up befriending her, naming her Wiene. They then learn about the existence of the Xenos, intelligent monsters that reside in the Dungeon that desire to live above ground with humans. (Volume 9)
Wiene and the Xenos are soon after attacked by the Ikelos Familia, who have been taking part in monster trafficking. They fight back against the humans in retaliation, leading Bell to try and resolve the matter. Wiene ends up inadvertently causing a rampage on the streets above, forcing Bell to fight back against other adventurers to protect her. She and the other Xenos manage to escape and go into hiding. (Volume 10)
Due to his previous actions, Bell is seen as a pariah in the city. Despite his status, and aware the Loki Familia intend to use them to track the remaining monsters still in Orario, Bell and the Hestia Familia scheme to help return the Xenos back into the Dungeon. With the help of their allies, they manage to escort the Xenos to safety, with Bell and Wiene able to convince a despondent Ais to let them go. Bell defies Hermes' attempt to make him kill a Xenos to reclaim his image, and instead fights against the minotaur Xenos Asterius. He loses the fight, but the battle is enough to reclaim his popularity in the eyes of the public. (Volume 11)
Bell levels up to Level 4 and becomes known as "Rabbit Foot". The Hestia Familia is given a mandatory expedition by the Guild, so they form a party with members of the Takemikazuchi and Miach Familias, plus Aisha Belka, to travel to the Water Capital on the 25th Floor. There they encounter an irregular Moss Huge that proves trouble, but they are eventually able to defeat it. (Volume 12)
In Rivira, Bell learns that Ryuu, as her alias the "Gale Wind", has been accused of murder, and sets out to prove her innocence. He eventually confronts her and uncovers the truth that she is targeting, as well as being hunted by, the lone survivor from her previous massacre of the Evilus factions. They end up summoning the dangerous Juggernaut, the same beast that killed Ryuu's old Familia, and in the chaos, Bell and Ryuu end up plummeting down toward the 37th Floor. (Volume 13)
Bell's party are forced to deal with a powerful monster that emerges on the 27th Floor, without Bell's help, eventually succeeding in doing so, and receive assistance from the Hostess of Fertility members in their plan to save Bell. Meanwhile, Bell and Ryuu struggle to survive in the "White Palace" labyrinth, with Ryuu revealing her past with the Astraea Familia, growing closer to Bell, and successfully destroying the Juggernaut before being saved. (Volume 14)
As the Goddess Festival approaches, Bell recovers from his last big battles, Lili levels up to Level 2, Welf shows Hephaestus his own special sword he crafted while in the Dungeon, Mikoto and Haruhime continue to try and improve their skills, Eina worries for Bell's safety, and Ryuu attempts to come to terms with her new found feelings for Bell. (Volume 15)
Bell is invited to the Goddess Festival by Syr Flova, through a member of Freya Familia, and forced by one of the captains, Hedin Selland, into training for the perfect date. Syr attempts to use the festival to get closer to Bell, as they try to evade the watchful eyes of Freya Familia. Syr confesses her feelings to Bell, but due to his own feelings for Ais, he rejects her. It is then revealed that Syr has been Freya the whole time, shedding her Syr identity for good. (Volume 16)
Freya has her Familia attack Hestia Familia to force her into transferring Bell to her. When Hermes reveals she can't, Freya activates her Charm on all of Orario, brainwashing everyone into believing Bell has always been part of her Familia. With Bell immune to charms, Freya and her Familia attempt to convince him through constant physical and emotional exhaustion. Eventually, Bell learns the truth and confronts Freya about her intentions and role as Syr. Hestia uses her powers as a virgin goddess to destroy Freya's charm, turning the city against her in rage. Aware she won't receive a harsh punishment otherwise, Freya challenges Hestia to a War Game for Bell, which she accepts. (Volume 17)
The Hestia Familia plan for their War Game against Freya Familia, recruiting as many allies as they can, with Loki Familia banned from directly participating. Bell levels up to Level 5. The Hestia side put up a good fight but are for the most part overwhelmed by Freya's overall strength, until they receive assistance from turn-coat Hedin, who is convinced her losing is what is best for Freya. They are also joined by Mia Grand and the Hostess of Fertility maids, who also want to save Freya/Syr. The group, accompanied by a now Level 6 Ryuu, are able to temporarily neutralize Ottar long enough for Bell to confront Freya and win the War Game. Her Familia is disbanded, however she is convinced by the maids to continue staying with them, letting her embrace her Syr side she always wanted. (Volume 18)
In the aftermath of the War Game, Hestia Familia gains a significant increase in power and influence, with many resources and members from Freya Familia now partially under their control. Ryuu officially joins Hestia Familia, creating some minor discord between the girls upon the revelation of her feelings for Bell. The School District, a massive boat that travels around the world to teach and train future adventurers, arrives in Orario. Hermes convinces Bell to, under an alias, join the school to both gain new experiences, as well as assist with some troublesome students. Bell meets Eina's sister, Nina, and ends up helping her and their fellow classmates gain more confidence in their skills. In the end Bell's secret is revealed, Nina reunites with her sister, and decides to join Hestia Familia in the future. (Volume 19)
Media[]
Light Novel[]
Manga[]
Anime[]
For more information, see Anime.
Music[]
Inai Keiji of Imagine was in charge of the music for the anime. The anime uses Hey World and RIGHT LIGHT RISE as the opening and ending themes for the first season and HELLO to DREAM and Sasayakana Shukusai for the second
Games[]
Trivia[]
- Oomori Fujino's manga series Wistoria of Wand and Sword shares some story elements with DanMachi.
- Both take place in a city with a giant tower.
- Both have dungeon exploration.
- Both series have Humans, Elfs, Dwarfs, and a race of small people similar to Pallum.
- Wistoria has multiple characters based on some of DanMachi.