Made in Abyss Review

I don't really watch adventure anime. In fact, I could count the number of adventure anime I've seen with my hands. But what really drew me to Made in Abyss was the promise of dark moments, to which the show delivers. On top of that, it surprised me with a fantastic setting and soundtrack.

Our main characters Riko (girl) and Reg (boy)

Made in Abyss takes place in Orth, a town surrounding a large circular chasm known as "the Abyss". Known for its high fetching relics and unexplored depths, it attracts treasure hunters and adventurers. Riko, an orphan who wishes to become a legendary explorer just like her mother, goes on a journey to the bottom of the Abyss after she receives a mysterious letter from her mother who presumably died exploring its deepest layers. With the help of Reg, a robot boy with no memories and believes the bottom will gives him the answers he seeks, they embark on a fantastical but grueling adventure.

Don't let the light-hearted "going on an adventure" theme, child characters and chibi art style fool you. The show is, at moments, very dark due to the inherent danger of the Abyss. Carnivorous predators, an unforgiving environment, and worst of all the curse of the Abyss- where ascending from its depths has negative effects on your body- await our adventurers. The show really nails its dark parts, where Riko and Reg risk life and limb to save each other. It tricks you into letting your guard down, following up with uncensored gore and brilliant voice acting.

SPOILER

In particular, the entire scene against the Orb Weaver in episode 10. We think the shield relic stopped its spines, then comes a sudden silence, then a cut to Riko's impaled hand. Even worse, Riko is forced to ascend to escape; her bloodshot eyes and bleeding from every orifice an image I'd never forget. Finally, her brutal cry as Reg breaks her arm is was extremely unbearable. What the hell, I didn't realise I was watching 127 Hours.

Aside from its dark moments, the show is fantastic at worldbuilding. The Abyss consists of layers, each layer distinct from each other. They're all beautiful, dangerous, or both. The 2nd layer's inverted forest, where strong winds blow and trees grow upside down. The 4th layer's goblet of giants, where vines weave and form concave discs to collect water from its humid environment. Each layer has its own fantastical flora and fauna, which makes every layer an ecosystem. You can tell a lot of imagination has been used to create these layers.

The 2nd Layer's "Inverted Forest"

The 4th Layer's "Goblet of Giants"

The unique setting of the Abyss is accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack that reflects its beauty and terror. Some tracks are tranquil and beautiful such as "Made in Abyss", some are otherworldly like "The Pit", while others are dark and foreboding as is "The Roar of the Abyss". The soundtrack boasts a variety of instruments- aside from piano and string instruments, it also uses wind instruments, xylophone, and vocals. The soundtrack, together with the imaginative setting of the Abyss, truly makes you feel like you're in another world.

A small qualm with the show I have is that it isn't finished. There's still so much yet to be answered. Who or what is Reg? Is Riko's mother still alive? What is at the bottom of the Abyss? Truly, despite the fact that our characters have traveled so far, it feels like the adventure's just begun. The show ends on a hopeful, uplifting note just like how it started. Fortunately, there is confirmation of a sequel movie that should wrap up the story.

Much more problematic than an incomplete story, were the sexual jokes and child nudity that just didn't feel comfortable to watch. The recurring penis jokes, even the first one ("wow reg has a human penis!") felt out of place- something that Riko, a child, shouldn't say. The child nudity, while censored, is unnecessary. We don't need to see the characters take a bath or be strung up naked as a form of punishment, it only makes us uncomfortable. I don't believe the anime is trying to pander to pedophiles, because it does so many things well that it doesn't need to pander to any audience. It would just be good if those scenes were removed or altered.

In conclusion, Made in Abyss is a great adventure anime. While being overall light-hearted, it executes its dark moments very well. Its world building is fantastic thanks to its imaginative setting and atmospheric soundtrack. The sexual jokes and child nudity is something that the show could do without, but its not off putting enough to stop watching the show. The story has yet to conclude- so if you're looking for a complete story I suggest holding off until the sequel movie. 8/10.

-GaryMuffuginOak