Picking Up Chicks: Dungeon No-No Or Hell Yes?

is it wrong to pick up chicks in a doungeon

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. The story takes place in the fictional city of Orario, which is home to a vast underground labyrinth known as the Dungeon. The series follows Bell Cranel, a novice adventurer who fights monsters in the hope of having a fateful encounter with a girl. The title of the series is a play on Bell's grandfather's advice to find a wife in the dungeons. While the title may give the impression of a trashy harem show, the series is actually a wholesome zero to hero story with a twist, as it is Bell who is saved by a girl in the dungeon and not the other way around.

Characteristics Values
Title Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Type Japanese anime series
Based on Light novel series of the same name
Author Fujino Ōmori
Illustrator Suzuhito Yasuda
Adaptation J.C.Staff
Opening theme "Hey World" by Yuka Iguchi
Ending theme "Right Light Rise" by Kanon Wakeshima
Streaming service Hulu, Crunchyroll
Spin-offs Sword Oratoria, Familia Chronicle
Video game Memoria Freese

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The show's misleading title

The title "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?" is misleading to those unfamiliar with the show. The title riffs off the main character's grandfather's advice to find a wife in a dungeon. This sets an expectation that the show is a trashy harem show, when in fact it is a wholesome "zero to hero" story with a twist: the girl he falls in love with rescues him.

The show follows Bell on his path to becoming stronger, and he is convinced to form a party to explore further into the dungeon. He forms one with supporter Liliruca Arde, who plans to steal his knife. Bell is also lured into a confrontation with a trained Minotaur, which he successfully defeats on his own.

The title has been translated from the original Japanese light novel series written by Oomori Fujino and illustrated by Yasuda Suzuhito. The series has been adapted into an anime television series, manga, mobile game, and film.

The title's misleading nature is a source of humour for some viewers, who find the show fun and comedic, with an enjoyable story.

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The story's setting in Orario

The story of 'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?' takes place in the fictional city of Orario, a labyrinthine city that sits on top of a multi-level underground maze called the Dungeon. Orario is a unique society where gods live among humans and provide them with challenges. The gods have given up their divine powers in order to experience the hardships of mortal life, and each god has a retinue of adventurers and support personnel known as a Familia.

The primary activity of these Familias is to explore the Dungeon, battle monsters, and harvest crystal shards. Dungeon Crawling is a major industry in Orario, and adventurers are tasked with keeping the Dungeon clean by removing the magic stones from dead monsters, as these stones are the major plunder in this universe.

Orario and the Dungeon have a rich history, with an ever-looming quest to clear the Dungeon and defeat the legendary bosses residing in its lowest levels. The city is undisturbed by the fighting outside, and its inhabitants seek to become the greatest adventurers through dungeon-crawling and real-time RPG combat.

The story follows Bell Cranel, a member of the Hestia Familia, who travels to Orario longing for adventure. He is saved by First Class adventurer Ais Wallenstein after being attacked by a Minotaur, and falls in love, inspiring him to train and become a worthy adventurer. Bell also gains the attention of the Goddess Freya, who sends a monster to attack him and Hestia during an event.

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The main character, Bell Cranel

Bell Cranel is the main protagonist of the series 'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?'. He is a young teenager with white hair and red eyes, often compared to a rabbit based on his appearance. Bell is kind, straightforward, brave, and shy, and he dreams of becoming a hero like the ones he read about growing up. He cares deeply for those around him, especially his Goddess, Hestia, and his Familia, whom he considers family after the death of his grandfather.

Bell's greatest trait is his immense kindness and compassion. He is willing to risk his well-being to help others, even in the face of danger, and his unconditional kindness earns him the respect of many Gods and adventurers, as well as the love of many women. Despite being scolded for his trusting nature, which has led him to be tricked multiple times, Bell is a good judge of character. Those who take advantage of him often become loyal allies after he forgives them. Bell also possesses a strong will and is determined to achieve his goals. For example, his feelings for Ais were so strong that they granted him a skill that accelerated his growth, allowing him to overcome his fear of Minotaurs and defeat one while still a Level 1 adventurer.

Bell is a talented adventurer with superior physical abilities. He possesses SS and SSS stats at each level, granting him physical prowess and speed that surpasses what his current level indicates. As a Level 2 adventurer, he was able to destroy a Level 5 Black Monster Rex with a single attack. Bell also has the rare developmental ability 'Luck', allowing him to win any game of chance, from gambling to drop items.

Despite his talents, Bell is often flustered, especially around women, and can appear timid. He gets embarrassed when others discover his desire to be a hero, as most kids his age have grown out of that dream. Bell works hard to achieve his goals, waking up before dawn every day to train and only taking a day off when wounded or to give his Familia a break.

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The exploration of sexual violence

"Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?" is a fantasy adventure anime about a newbie's journey to heroism on a path paved with romance. The story takes place in the fictional city of Orario, where an underground labyrinth known as the Dungeon is home to an endless supply of monsters. The main character, Bell Cranel, becomes an adventurer with the sole purpose of meeting girls, as his father met his mother through heroic adventures.

Furthermore, the show includes references to sexual violence through the characters' backstories and dialogue. One of the villains in Season 2 has a disturbing tendency to capture, torture, and rape men, which is referenced verbally and semi-visually. The show also addresses the topic of prostitution, both verbally and visually, and features attempts at seduction. These depictions of sexual violence are not always treated with the necessary gravity and are sometimes played for comedic effect.

Additionally, Bell's grandfather encourages misogynistic ideas and behaviors, such as kissing someone without their consent while they sleep. The show also includes gendered insults and crass language, such as the use of the word "skank." Alcohol consumption is prevalent, with characters drinking in social situations and sometimes to the point of intoxication.

Despite these issues, the show does offer some positive messages. Bell's character arc includes lessons about confidence, personal growth, and figuring out one's true desires. Additionally, Bell shows respect for the women around him by being slow to act on romance.

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The portrayal of female characters

Another notable female character is a tall dwarf who is also an adventurer. She is a former captain of the Freya Familia and has achieved a high rank of level 6. After making her fortune in the Dungeon, she retires and opens a pub called the Hostess of Fertility. She is nicknamed "Mama" and is known for hiring women regardless of their backgrounds.

The series also features a mermaid who resides on the 25th floor of the Dungeon. She acts as a guide and provides medical support to Bell, as her blood has healing properties. Additionally, there is an anime original character, the head of the Artemis Famillia, the goddess of the hunt. She was captured and used as a vessel by Antares, a reawakened monster plotting to destroy Orario.

Anya Fromel is another female character, who works as a waitress at the Hostess of Fertility. She is described as clumsy and airheaded but is also a level 4 adventurer. Anya has a mysterious past, having cut ties with her brother and the Freya Familia for unknown reasons. Overall, the female characters in "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?" exhibit a range of personalities, skills, and backgrounds, contributing to the diverse world-building of the series.

Frequently asked questions

It is an anime television series that first aired in 2015. It is based on a manga series of the same name.

The show follows Bell Cranel, a novice adventurer who enters a dungeon in search of monsters and loot but hopes to meet a girl. The story is about the relationship between Bell and a goddess, both eager to prove themselves.

Similar shows include Delicious in Dungeon, Kakegurui, and Dungeon People.

'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon' is available to stream on Hulu. It was previously available on Crunchyroll but was dropped from the platform in 2022.

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