You Won't Believe What This 'Cute' Anime Does to Its Child Characters

On a distant island resides the populace of Orth City, perched on the rim of an enormous abyss called The Void. This peculiar vertical terrain is filled with alien creatures, unique ecosystems, and hidden riches that have intrigued explorers for eons as they attempt to solve its enigmas. When Riko, a novice Red Whistle Delver, encounters an unusual robot child named Reg, she finds herself driven to descend the abyss in hopes of finding her missing White Whistle mother. With bravery, our protagonists face the perils lurking within the chasm’s depths, risking being consumed by it themselves.

Although it might appear at first glance to be a lighthearted children’s chibi adventure called Made in Abyss, this anime is far from suitable for the sensitive viewer, even among adults. The principal characters are young children, but their journey into the immense abyss leads them to encounter increasingly dangerous and malevolent creatures. As they confront the harshness of losing innocence, they also grapple with the profound question of what gives life meaning throughout their travels.

Spoiler Warning for Made in Abyss!

A “Cute” Anime That’s Not for the Faint-Hearted

Beware, despite its adorable exterior, the chibi style hides a grim and harsh reality that deepens as if descending into Hell itself. The alien world becomes increasingly disturbing and hopeless as they go deeper, but attempting to return to the surface can be just as dangerous due to the Curse of the Abyss. This curse causes worsening illnesses the further one gets from the chasm, with some ailments becoming fatal, while others may result in loss of humanity itself.

In simpler terms, the animated series “Made in Abyss” is often viewed as contentious due to its graphic portrayal of intense themes such as death, violence, and extreme trauma. The young characters in this story endure numerous hardships, making it understandable why some viewers find it challenging. The Abyss, a dangerous chasm filled with horrors, has the power to shatter one’s psyche, affecting individuals physically, emotionally, or mentally. The various ways in which the Abyss can obliterate a person’s sense of self is truly remarkable.

The Abyss Transforms the Body, Mind, and Heart

In the depths of The Abyss, its ruthless, emotionless inhabitants display a chilling diversity in their methods of attack. From colossal, extraterrestrial creatures that indiscriminately pick off other inhabitants like picking fruit from a tree, to cunning, calculating entities who were once human, these threats are as varied as they are dangerous. Facing such challenges, Riko and her companions remain steadfast in their determination to reach their destination safely. However, their journey reveals that The Abyss’s influence extends beyond mere physical transformations; it has also left its mark on the minds of its inhabitants, unraveling them in the brutal environment they inhabit.

During their journey, Riko encounters Nanachi and Mitty, two children who dwell on the fourth level, classified as Hollows or Narehate. The term “Narehate” derives from “narenohate,” meaning “the remnant of one’s former self.” These beings have survived the affliction of the sixth layer and morphed into creatures with varying degrees of consciousness, having become inhuman. Despite losing most of her humanity, Mitty has been transformed into a Hollow, while Nanachi still maintains her own sense of awareness. As a result, Nanachi must confront her own regrets and duties squarely, looking into the eyes of her dearest friend Mitty.

Values Borne from Love

In the film “Dawn of the Deep Soul”, our heroes journey to the Ido Front, a research station situated at the bottom of the fifth layer. This facility serves as both a training ground for White Whistle Delvers embarking on their final dive into the sixth layer and a lab where the villainous Bondrewd carries out experiments aimed at understanding the Curse of the Abyss more deeply. At this location, Riko and Reg uncover Nanachi and Mitty’s tragic past, revealing how they became Hollows due to Bondrewd’s cruel experiments. What sets these experiments apart from others is that Bondrewd discovered a method to overcome the Curse of the Abyss, transforming it into something he calls a Blessing—a focus on genuine love.

In Season 2 of “The Golden City of the Scorching Sun,” the narrative unfolds with two interwoven storylines: the current adventures of Riko and her companions, and the past expedition led by an outcast group called the Ganja Suicide Corps. This band of travelers, headed by three Sages – Wazukyan, Belaf, and Vueko – were in search of the mythical Golden City, believed to be situated at the depths of the Abyss. Accompanied by a native girl named Irumyuui, they unearthed an enigmatic artifact called the Cradle of Desire, or the Wish-granting Egg. Driven by survival instincts, Wazukyan entrusted this item to Irumyuui, who miraculously gave birth to a village named Iruburu using her own pain and agony. However, it was a desire stemming from love that ultimately brought sorrow yet overcame the Abyss.

What Do You Value?

In the sixth layer, when Riko, Reg, and Nanachi arrive at the unusual village, they encounter the Narehate Majikaja who clarifies the workings of the village through its economy based on values, emphasizing their preference for fair and reciprocal trades that aren’t limited to conventional currency. Each inhabitant trades according to their personal preferences, whether it be goods, creatures, or even scents. However, they seem particularly drawn to and cherish human companionship from the newcomers. The Narehate Majikaja expresses concern as they desire a piece of Riko to fulfill their deepest desires, much to Majikaja’s urging for Riko not to compromise her own worth.

As Riko interacts with a resident named Maaa within the city, she comes to understand the significance attached to value when she observes the repercussions of violating the principle of fair trade or causing harm to someone else’s worth. At the same time, Reg encounters someone he doesn’t recognize: Faputa, who is known as Irumyuui’s last child and titled as the Narehate’s Princess. Although Reg’s recollections of Faputa are hazy at best, Faputa maintains that Reg is her “Haku”, a term representing something incredibly precious; a manifestation of a desire; “the essence of a soul”; “that which cannot be replaced”. Majikaja characterizes Faputa as the personification of Value.

To Value is to Survive

The significance of value continues to grow for those exploring the strange world, as it takes on a life of its own. Riko places great importance on her mother and the thrill of adventure, risking everything to delve into the Abyss. Reg seeks understanding of his origins. Nanachi holds dear the well-being of Mitty, even sacrificing to end her friend’s pain. Bondrewd overvalued progress, going to extremes to transform a Curse into a supposed “Blessing”. Vueko treasured Irumyuui. Wazukyan prioritized survival above all else. Irumyuui cherished motherhood. Faputa valued Reg and fulfilling her mother’s wishes. The Narehate strive to uphold humanity’s worth.

On this perilous odyssey into the uncharted, I’ve discovered it’s not just the terrifying creatures or lethal conditions that claim some travelers. Pushed by necessity, ambition, or affection, the Abyss stirs within us something profound – a deep-seated appreciation for our worth. Survival isn’t merely about enduring; it’s about adhering to the Abyss’s enigmatic rules, making sacrifices, and finding our “Haku” – that which we deem most precious. Yet, even these aren’t enough to attain our deepest desires within this unfathomable realm. Just as the village of Iruburu has its prime directive, so too does each explorer: cherish oneself above all else to preserve a semblance of humanity in such an inhuman world – for it is self-value that defines us.

2025-04-11 19:17

You Won’t Believe What This ‘Cute’ Anime Does to Its Child Characters