What is The Dungeon of Black Company?#
The Dungeon of Black Company (also known as Meikyū Black Company or The Labyrinth of Blackcompany) is a fantasy series that puts a unique spin on the isekai genre. Instead of being welcomed as a legendary hero, the protagonist, Kinji—a man with absolutely no work ethic—is transported to another world only to be thrust into a nightmare scenario: forced labor.
Enslaved by an evil mining company in a fantasy setting, Kinji is forced to learn the hard way what “hard work” actually means. It is a story that blends fantasy elements with a satirical look at corporate exploitation.
If you’re looking to dive into this world, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the anime really finished?#
If you are looking for a complete, closed-ended story through the anime alone, you may find yourself wanting more. While the anime provides a great introduction to Kinji’s struggle against his corporate overlords, the source material is significantly more extensive.
According to recent reports, the Dungeon of Black Company manga entered its final arc in September 2024. Given that the manga began serialization in 2016 and the anime premiered in 2021, there is a vast amount of story development in the manga that goes beyond the anime’s scope. To get a truly satisfying conclusion to Kinji’s journey, you will likely need to continue with the source material.
You can buy the manga here to see how the story wraps up.
Who should watch this series?#
The Dungeon of Black Company is best suited for fans of the fantasy genre who enjoy a bit of irony and social commentary. Its primary appeal lies in the contrast between the typical “chosen one” fantasy trope and the harsh reality of corporate slavery.
If you enjoy stories about lazy protagonists who have to use their wits to survive oppressive systems, or if you’ve ever felt the grind of a “black company” (exploitative workplace) in real life, this series will resonate with you. While you’re getting settled in for a binge-watch, feel free to support our site on Ko-fi to help us keep investigating your favorite series!
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Depending on how much of the story you want to consume, there are a few ways to approach this series. You can refer to the relationship tree below the article for a visual guide to these connections.
The Release Order#
For those who want to experience the series as it was released to the general public:
- The Dungeon of Black Company Anime (2021)
- The Dungeon of Black Company Manga (Pick up where the anime leaves off)
The Completionist Order#
If you want the full experience with all the nuance and detail provided by the original creator:
- The Dungeon of Black Company Manga (2016): Start here to get the full narrative from the beginning.
- The Dungeon of Black Company Anime: Watch as a visual supplement to the story.
The “Quick Start” Order#
For those who don’t mind jumping between mediums:
- Watch the anime to get a feel for the characters and world.
- Transition to the manga to follow the story through its final arc.
Regardless of your chosen path, you can find a variety of The Dungeon of Black Company merchandise to commemorate your journey into the mines.
Dungeon of Black Company • manga • 2016-12-05 (Serialized in Comic Blade on Mag Comi)
└─(adaptation)→ Dungeon of Black Company • anime • 2021-07-09
