Of all the directions to take a potential spinoff, I can't think of a prompt with more potential than "Izutsumi and Inutade go on a road-trip adventure".
As a duo, the two characters are perfect foils with an excellent dynamic that's just begging to be built upon. Likewise both characters individually have plenty of room for further growth. This parallels Dunmeshi's world as a whole, which is basically nothing BUT untapped potential. What better way to explore it further than through a pair of young warriors who know nothing of the lands and peoples beyond their home?
Narratively, it would be extremely easy to set up. Inutade is sent to retrieve the escaped "Asebi," but Izutsumi refuses to return until she's killed the wizard that originally turned her into a beast-man. Izutsumi (falsely) promises that she'll return and never attempt to escape again, IF Inutade helps her with this first.
Thus begins the adventure of the cat and the giant! Two foster-sisters, seeing strange sights, getting into hijinks, and bonding as fellow oddities within this world where their kind is rare.
To tie it back to Dunmeshi, you could use the story to explore the cuisine of different cultures, and how a society's approach to food can define its wider values.
i think there’s something to be said for the circumstances that izutsumi was brought in under, as her backstory isn’t entirely clear about whether she was even meant to be trained as a retainer. shuro’s father comes to maizuru acting like he got izu for her as a pet, and i think that colors a lot of the way she’s treated. the others probably think of keeping and training her as a retainer like the others as a unique privilege they’re granting her in spite of what she is, while she just wants to go back to a home she can’t remember
Since she has given a new name and trained in ninja arts just like the others I assumed she was the same type of servant. They do have ranks and Izutsumi is the lowest ranking of them (she has no mole tattoo and Tade only has one) but she seems to be treated about the same as Tade. The difference in Izu's treatment seem to be because she's a beastman and because she tried to escape.
Hien is their team leader I imagine that's why she scolds Izu here.
Still not a great situation they're in. But yes it seems like they think of the bare minimum they do for Izu as big privilege that she should be thankful for. And yet they put a cursed collar on her so she can't leave this "good life" LMAO
HERE THEY ARE! Dragon au designs!
And these of course
I’ve done a lot of doodles but I can’t fit them all in one post. I’ll be working on more character designs I’ve been sketching some out :] BUT the main guys for now
Made a script to generate half-foot style names for original characters, fic extras, or just for fun! Many thanks for the people who provided content and feedback on this generator! Please feel free to send any feedback to my ask box.
Do you guys think Izutsumi does teenager talk and chilchuck is the only one who can understand her? No? Aw man ☹️
Idk how to draw senshi if you can’t tell
so i have made Entirely too many dungeon meshi playlists. please enjoy. they are my children. any discussion you wish to engage in around them will delight me beyond measure.
these were made with the whole manga in mind, so there is a possibility of a vague spoiler from a song choice, ymmv:
laios // falin // marcille // senshi // chilchuck // izutsumi // kabru // mithrun // winged lion // thistle
labru // farcille // touden siblings // laios's party
what if vampires are like mosquitoes and only the ladies drink blood
THIS TERRIBLE 17-YEAR-OLD CATGIRL IS ARO-ACE!
[Image ID: Izutsumi from Dungeon Meshi talks excitedly, grinning. She holds up a mug in front of her, and the liquid sloshes as she outstretches her arms in excitement. /End ID]
20 | he/they/it | just thinking about a certain cat... could be transgender but who knows...
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