The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter

**This review contains minor spoilers** Another action, adventure, comedy, fantasy anime? Well…why not although we had a lot of those in the past already. It has lots of Ecchi scenes and the fanservice is god-like? REVOLUTIONARY. Count me in. The studio "Okuruto Noboru" enters a “dangerous dungeon” for the first time with the anime "Ore dake Haireru Kakushi Dungeon". Previously only worked in a few OVAs, they venture into the fantasy, adventure world. Although this genre is nothing new in itself, they managed to do it in a way which doesn't make us bored and asking for more. Our adventure begins with Noir, the third son of a“beggar noble” (the lowest position for a noble). Because of his position, he didn't get his job in the library. Thereupon he decides to go to the "Hero Academy" in order to become stronger and to get a secure job as an adventurer after graduation. Noir was very nice to his fellow men, but he was never particularly strong. One day he discovers a secret dungeon that only he can enter with a secret spell. This is where he started his secret training to get stronger and stronger… There is a beautiful woman with a large bust and hips in this dungeon: Olivia. She was one of the S-class adventurers and thus one of the strongest at the time. She entered this dungeon, but after defeating a monster, she was handcuffed in death shackles. When Noir met Olivia by chance and appointed her as his master, she decided to pass on her special skills to Noir. LP (life points) are required to use the special skills. How do you get this? Noir's childhood friend Emma is the main contributor to all of his LPs. Emma has laaaaarge breasts and is very popular with the opposite sex because of her cuteness but she is only interested in Noir and really loves him. She is willing to do anything for Noir and to get him the necessary LPs with kisses and well… “other things” like that. Everything that is "fun" for a simple man increases the LPs. Noir and Emma has a very close relationship since childhood. They did everything together. Both of them also decided to take on the job in the library. But after Noir was rejected, Emma decided to follow him to the Academy. She really is the vital supporter for Noir. Let’s take a look at the other two main characters and their role in this little “Noir-clan”. First, we have the Odin Guild receptionist Lola. She is a beauty of the calm and collected sort with an air of maturity around her. Lola was the one who welcomed Noir when he joined the guild, she was always on good terms with him and Noir also helped Lola in receptionist battles. She is clever and knows how to motivate her guild and especially Noir. Lola's best friend Luna is the last girl in the “Noir-troupe”. All in all, she’s a super beauty and has a good personality. Luna is convinced that it is her mission to save people and make them smile. But whenever she heals someone, it uses up her life energy and this shortens her lifespan. Noir managed to edit her skill in a way not consuming her life-force. Since that point, she fell victim to his charm and decided to stick with Noir as well. Even if all the female characters certainly love their hero Noir, it must be mentioned that they also support each other. In addition to our main characters, we have the teacher Elna who rewards her male students by sitting on their faces. Maria, a real beauty who really has her heart in the right place as a duke. Her loyal bodyguard Amane, who always takes care of her. Of course, we cannot forget Alice, Noir's younger sister, who has a brother complex and adores her brother above all else. She has a special power which allow her to sense when her brother is getting intimate with other girls. Besides these girls, there are a few more who play a minor role. But one thing is certain: All of these girls are top tier! It cannot be denied that the art really stands out. All the girls are shown amiable and the fanservice is of high quality. The surroundings are also very beautiful and detailed. Everything fits together perfectly. The adventure of our group begins with the OP "Pyramid Dai Gyakuten" which tell us to be ready for some action. Prepare yourself for a new adventure that will come your way! The ED “Nemophila”, on the other hand, is about the deep relationship between Noir and Emma. Watching the animation during this song is particularly nice. Each picture tells a little story from their past together. They are a perfect couple. Besides the music, the Seiyuus did a great job performing their role. Their voice and all the emotions go very well with the character. As someone who generally likes this genre and also watched similar anime like "Konosuba", "Shachou, Battle no Jikan Desu!" or “Princess Connect! Re:Dive “ before, I am also very enthusiastic about "Ore Dungeon". It's a typical anime where you can just switch off for a bit and enjoy the things. Don't think too much about it, just follow the adventure with our characters. The fan service part is very successful and I mean we already experience more kisses in the first episode than in many romance anime. Sure, it's not the same, but it's certainly not a bad thing in my opinion. Noir is surely a lucky guy. I agree that the plot is uncreative and we have had such things before already. Still, I don't see any reason not to like "Ore Dungeon" just because of this point. If you enjoyed other similar anime, you will like “Ore Dungeon” as well. In the end, I can only say: Just enjoy the adventures and all the S-tier waifus. Let's hope for a second season with even more adventures from our little group!

Imagine obtaining a god-like power after being ostracized by your peers. Then, imagine that power can change reality itself. Meet Noir Starga, the young man who obtained such a power and along the way, his own personal harem. Brace yourself. If ecchi and harem scenes are not your cup of tea, then it’s best to head out and watch something else. I don’t know how high the author was when they wrote the story but let’s just say that the anime is a lot more than just entering a hidden dungeon. Well yes, it does begin with Noir discovering a dungeon and a chained entityby the name of Olivia. It’s from her that he obtained such a power with the drawback that he needs life points to sustain his survival. And guess how does he maintain those life points? By engaging in lewd activates with the female cast! With that premise, buckle up because there’s going to be a lot of mouthwatering moments. I’ll be honest here. The show itself isn’t shy to being what it really is. It never attempts to hide the fan service and really, every episode has Noir engaging in some form of sexual activity with the female cast. From sharing baths to ass stuffed into his face, you name it. It seems Noir is practically a chick magnet for the girls especially at his school, the Hero Academy. The most prominent girl among them is Emma, Noir’s childhood friend who just happens to very popular with great looks. Guess who she has interest in the most? That’s right, it’s the main protagonist and the show takes every opportunity to get the two together in some form of compromising moment. The first episode had them kissing to restore life points and there’s more than where that comes from. Emma kisses Noir not just to ensure he gets those life points. She enjoys and savors those moments. As more and more episode progresses, Emma uses it more as an excuse to give him life points. And as more female characters are introduced, you can imagine how jealous she can get when others gets close to Noir. It’s harem 101 that anyone with a brain can come up with in writing standards. However, I will excuse the writing of the show since you really shouldn’t expect much from a fantasy-harem. The question to ask yourself is…does the writing actually improve? The short answer is no and the longer answer is, no chance in hell. Every member of the character roster is presented like a sex object for Noir to enjoy. These include Lola, Luna, Maria, and even their teacher, Elna. Practically, every relevant female character at Hero Academy lusts for him. Mind you, these girls aren’t damsel in distress. They can actually be described as a ‘battle harem’ as each of them can fight. Imagine that. Not only does Noir have a group of beauties trying to earn his affections but also they can fight during adventures. That’s like striking the lottery for any young man. But unfortunately, this show doesn’t care to develop any member of Noir’s harem. They pretty much serve as walking beauties to provide life points for him. And no one really is safe from his attractive appeal. Even his sister Alice seems to be have a brother complex although the anime refrains from going too far. After all, this had to be approved to air on television and having an incest relationship would perhaps cross the line. However, when it comes to ecchi, the anime knows no bounds. Let me just say that kissing isn’t the only way to gain life points. Basically, for Noir to sustain himself, he needs to be aroused. Whether this includes being sat on his face, stepped on, or other lewd actions, it gets the job done. Kissing is just one sexual action that gets him aroused and trust me, there’s plenty of moments in the show that Noir gets turned on. Even as the primary love interest, Emma doesn’t hog all the fun. As I said before, any relevant female member tries to have their way with him, even those with naïve knowledge about sexual activities. In one particular episode, Noir meets Dryade, a peculiar girl with a lack of common sense. With a look similar to Emma, it doesn’t take long for her tongue to connect to Noir’s mouth. Let me also say that I’m not familiar with studio Okuruto Noboru, they definitely understood the word ‘ecchi’. While the show isn’t borderline hentai, the amount of fan service takes plenty of TV time. When we do get the actual fighting in dungeons and during adventures, it come out dry and empty. But for the fan service scenes, the show goes all out to get both Noboru and the viewers aroused. So let me give you a safety advice and don’t watch this show with your little brother or sister around. They might see something they’re not supposed to and your parents will have to give you a long lecture. Guilty pleasure is the easiest way to describe this show because that’s what the anime aims to do: give pleasure. It’s how Noir gets his life points and how his harem satisfy his needs. Let’s be real here. Do we actually watch this show for the “plot”? It’s a recurring joke in the anime community. Unfortunately, this show itself is an awful joke.

"Eminence in shadow" but replace dark and edgy with sweet and mellow. Trashy, cheesy, steamy, light-hearted, earnest, a wonderful piece of lightweight 'guilty pleasure', shamelessly indulgent and surprisingly competently done. Interesting variation of the 'ridiculously OP skill', the victories feel well earned, the protagonist is likeable, the indulgences are properly justified by lore, the girls know what they want and deliver with only token amounts of blushing and stammering, and protag-kun doesn't pretend it's anything else than it is. In the "Overpowered protagonist with a harem" genre, this is my second-favorite (after Eminence in Shadow), and probably the most underrated show of the genre. Five golden dumpsters!