Laios Touden
Laios Touden |
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| Japanese | ライオス トーデン |
| Romaji | Raiosu Tōden |
| Personal Information | |
| Species | Tall-man Dwarf (Temporary) Gnome (Temporary) |
| Affiliation | Laios’ Party |
| Occupation | Wanderer (former) Soldier (former) Dungeon Explorer (former) Lord of the Dungeon (former) King of Merini |
| Ability | Paradigm Shift |
| Status | Alive |
| Debut | |
| Manga | Chapter 1 |
| Anime | Episode 1 |
| Portrayal | |
| Japanese Voice | Kentarō Kumagai Natsu Yorita (Child) |
| English Voice | Damien Haas Marin Miller (Child/ Episode 3) Erica Mendez (Child/ Episode 8) |
Personality

Appearance in Anime
Laios is portrayed as an eccentric yet highly capable adventurer whose defining traits center on his fascination with monsters. Though he is often underestimated or viewed with suspicion by others, he is an exceptionally strong fighter and a resourceful leader. His extensive knowledge of monster biology and mythology combined with his culinary experiments enables him to devise effective strategies for defeating or surviving against creatures in the dungeon. He remains calm and composed under pressure, issuing clear orders to his party, demonstrating sharp observational skills, and formulating strategies with remarkable speed.
While typically gentle and even-tempered, Laios becomes noticeably animated when discussing monsters. In such moments, he speaks rapidly, gestures emphatically, and shows a level of enthusiasm that often irritates or unsettles those around him. His passion for monsters frequently overshadows his interest in people, to the point where he sometimes forgets or overlooks individuals he has previously encountered.
As a leader, Laios places great value on his companions’ safety, prioritizing their lives above treasure or fame. He is attentive in battle, able to identify threats through subtle cues such as footsteps, and was the first to deduce that the “living armors” were not enchanted suits of armor but independent organisms. Despite this attentiveness, his bluntness and poor social awareness often cause friction within the group. He has difficulty recognizing social cues and sometimes makes remarks that others find insensitive, such as comparing Marcille’s heritage to a mule or commenting that his sister Falin’s death at the hands of a dragon allowed them the opportunity to try a rare monster dish. While such comments are intended as attempts to find a positive perspective, they are often misinterpreted as callous. Falin, however, understands his manner of thinking and shares his outlook, making her one of the few people who fully grasps his intentions.
Laios’s lifelong struggle to connect with others contributes to his sense of isolation. The Golden Lion observes that part of his fascination with monsters stems from a childhood wish for them to destroy his village, sparing only himself and Falin. Unlike many adventurers, Laios shows little interest in wealth, glory, or conventional human ambition, preferring a simple existence focused on exploration and curiosity. This outlook, combined with his reverence for monsters and matter-of-fact responses to violence, leads many to suspect he harbors “evil” tendencies. Nonetheless, he consistently proves himself considerate, self-sacrificing, and open to building friendships with humans and non-humans alike, including orcs.
Though awkward and socially distant, Laios is neither naïve nor reckless. He respects the dangers that monsters pose, often exercising greater caution than other adventurers. For example, when Senshi introduced the party to his tamed kelpie, Laios voiced strong doubts about trusting the creature, reasoning that it could not be fully harmless. However, he refrained from acting against Senshi’s wishes, instead preparing to intervene should danger arise. This balance of skepticism, restraint, and readiness demonstrates his pragmatic nature and highlights his strengths as a leader.
Appearance
Laios is depicted as a tall man with short blond hair and light golden eyes. He deliberately keeps his hair cropped and remains clean-shaven, partly to avoid resembling his estranged father. His physique is sturdy and muscular, with a noticeably heavier build than many adventurers, attributed in part to his high-protein diet within the dungeon, which allows him to endure extended periods without conventional food while maintaining strength.
During expeditions, Laios typically wears a set of silver plate armor paired with a mail skirt that extends to his mid-thighs and is secured by a waist belt. His gear also includes silver bracers, knee guards, a white undershirt, and plain brown boots. The ensemble emphasizes functionality and durability, reflecting his role as the party’s front-line fighter.
Abilities
Laios is a versatile adventurer known for his proficiency in swordsmanship, his limited use of simple magic, and his extensive knowledge of monsters. As the leader of his party, he demonstrates strong strategic thinking, often devising unconventional yet effective solutions. For example, he suggested using kelpie liver to restore Marcille’s blood after significant blood loss, and he crafted protective frog suits to shield his companions from tentacle attacks.
Though not an expert like Senshi, Laios possesses basic skill in monster-based cooking, as well as the ability to perform healing magic, a discipline he learned from his sister Falin and later refined under Marcille’s guidance. His proficiency in this area, however, remains below that of both women.
Outside of combat, Laios has shown a number of unusual talents. He is adept at drawing, a skill developed from repeatedly sketching monsters from The Dungeon Gourmet Guide since childhood. He is also capable of producing an uncanny impression of a dog, which has proven unexpectedly effective at intimidating certain monsters.
Laios wields a sword named Kensuke, a semi-sentient weapon capable of sensing danger and alerting him to threats. Kensuke can also move independently and manipulate objects, providing Laios with both defensive and practical support during expeditions.
Relationships
Falin Touden
Falin is Laios’s younger sister and the person he cares for most deeply. His primary motivation throughout the series is to rescue her, regardless of the obstacles involved. The siblings were raised together in a northern village, where their close bond was tested by social isolation, Falin was ostracized for her magical abilities, which distressed Laios and eventually led him to leave the village as a teenager. He later expressed guilt over abandoning her, recalling how painful it was to think of her eating alone after his departure.
Years later, while traveling for work on the island that housed the Lunatic Magician’s dungeon, Laios visited Falin at the Magic Academy. She chose to leave the academy and accompany him, and together they began working as guards for treasure seekers within the dungeon. Their eccentric interests, Laios’s fascination with monsters and Falin’s interest in biology set them apart from others, but also strengthened their connection and reliance on each other.
Marcille
Marcille, an elf mage, was introduced to Laios by Falin several years after she left the Magic Academy. At first, Laios worried that Marcille might resent him for drawing Falin away from her studies, even going so far as to devise a plan to impress her by saving her from dungeon creatures, only to be surprised when she easily dispatched them herself.
After their early encounters, Marcille and Laios formed a mutual partnership, bound by their shared fascination with the dungeon Marcille’s rooted in ancient magic, and Laios’s in monsters. Despite Marcille’s ongoing discomfort with eating monsters, which clashes with Laios’s obsession, he consistently shows patience with her, adapting his recipes to use more familiar ingredients and gently persuading her to try new dishes. Their relationship is marked by cooperation and gradual mutual respect.
Chilchuck
Chilchuck, the party’s specialist in traps and locks, is one of Laios’s original companions. Laios holds his skills in high regard, frequently reminding the group of Chilchuck’s critical role in keeping them alive. The two share camaraderie, often conversing casually and bonding over a mutual appreciation for alcohol.
Laios was shocked to discover Chilchuck’s true age of 29, initially believing him to be much younger. This revelation left him uncertain about how to address Chilchuck, wondering if he should treat him with the respect of a senior. Chilchuck, in turn, often takes on a quasi-parental role toward Laios, offering advice, mild reprimands, and reminders of his duties as leader, always with the intent of guiding him.
Senshi
Senshi, a dwarf warrior and cook, becomes a close ally after joining the party due to his own interest in preparing monster-based meals. Unlike most, Senshi never mocks Laios’s fixation with eating monsters; instead, he embraces it, sharing techniques and collaborating on new culinary ideas. Laios greatly admires Senshi’s cooking expertise, often engaging him in enthusiastic discussions about recipes and preparation methods. Though Senshi occasionally critiques some of Laios’s more impractical ideas such as attempting to eat Living Armor, he provides grounded insight that helps balance Laios’s creativity with practicality.
Legacy
Within the narrative of Delicious in Dungeon, Laios’s legacy is defined by his unconventional approach to adventuring and his singular fascination with monsters. Unlike most explorers who pursue wealth or fame, Laios values knowledge, curiosity, and companionship, placing the survival of his party above treasure or reputation. His leadership is remembered by both allies and rivals as unorthodox but effective, with his willingness to consume monsters becoming a defining feature of his party’s identity in the dungeon.
Laios’s relationship with his sister Falin serves as a central emotional anchor of the story, shaping his motivations and decisions. His devotion to her highlights the series’ themes of family and loyalty, while his eccentricities emphasize the idea that true strength comes not from conformity but from embracing individuality.
In the context of the series’ reception, Laios has become one of its most distinctive characters, often noted by readers and viewers for his awkward social interactions, humorously intense interest in monsters, and surprising effectiveness as a leader. His blend of comedic quirks, tactical intelligence, and heartfelt loyalty has made him a memorable figure within the manga and anime fandom, and a central representative of Delicious in Dungeon’s unique tone that combines comedy, adventure, and culinary themes.
