Shapeshifter

Shapeshifter
Information
Japanese	シェイプシフター
Rōmaji	Sheipushifutā
Type	Mammalia
Size	70-100 cm
Habitat	The Island, Level 6 and below
First Appearance
Manga Debut	Chapter 39
Navigation
← Previous	Harpy
Next →	Hag

Shapeshifters (シェイプシフター, Sheipushifutā^?) are a type of monster in Delicious in Dungeon. They live on the sixth floor of the dungeon, but show up every now and then in Laios' hometown.

Anatomy and Appearance

Shapeshifters are a class of monster that imitate the form of other living beings, whether that be by mimicking their voices, possessing them or transforming them.

One type of shapeshifter uses leaves to form illusions, with its true form being a large canine beast.

Gallery

Multiple shapeshifter illusions locked in a cell.

The true form of one type of shapeshifter - a white canine with many tails.

Behavior and Weaknesses

A heavy blizzard, wind or fog may occur prior to the appearance of shapeshifters. They typically take on the appearance of people or animals around them. In order to do so, they are said to read the thoughts of those around them and use them as a basis to imitate something or someone they are close to. They apparently then follow the original around until they sleep, and then eat them and take their place. However, when there are gaps in knowledge about the person, there will be gaps in the shapeshifter's appearance. They have below-human intelligence, but seem to be able to partake in conversation by using their mind-reading abilities.

The shapeshifters encountered by the Touden party are either carnivorous or omnivorous, as they attack both animals and people, but are timid beasts who do not attack head on, instead waiting for their prey to tire themselves out.

In fairy tales, garlic or rowan was used to defend against shapeshifters; however, with beast-type shapeshifters, hunting tactics are recommended for use against them.

Culinary Usage

While the illusions are inedible as they are made out of leaves, the shapeshifter controlling the illusions is a real beast, and is edible.

Shapeshifters have been used in the following dishes:

Ice Golem Savory Egg Custard and Cooked Fish (from in the Golem)

Trivia

• The shapeshifter depicted here is a white canine with many tails that uses leaves as part of the illusion. This is likely a reference to kitsune (lit. "fox"), which in Japanese folklore are able to shapeshift into humans if they place a leaf or other object on their heads.