“Made in Abyss” — The Beautiful Despair and Eternal Curiosity of Humanity

Made in Abyss is a dark fantasy adventure anime based on the manga by Akihito Tsukushi.
The TV anime adaptation aired in 2017, followed by several theatrical films and a second season, all of which achieved great success and critical acclaim.

The series is known for its breathtaking worldbuilding and emotional storytelling, combining a childlike sense of wonder with deeply mature and haunting themes.
Despite its cute art style, Made in Abyss explores the beauty and brutality of adventure, life, and loss — earning a devoted fanbase around the world.

In a world where nearly every corner of the surface has been explored, there remains one final mystery:
a colossal vertical pit known as the Abyss.

This seemingly endless chasm is home to bizarre and wondrous creatures, as well as ancient relics that modern humans could never recreate.
Drawn by its mysteries, countless adventurers — known as Cave Raiders — descend into its depths, seeking knowledge, treasure, and glory.

At the edge of the Abyss lies the town of Orth, where a young orphan girl named Riko dreams of following in her mother’s footsteps as a legendary Cave Raider.
One day, while exploring the upper layers of the Abyss, Riko encounters a mysterious boy-shaped robot.
Together, the two embark on a perilous journey into the unknown depths — a journey that will test their courage, friendship, and humanity itself.

Why do humans seek danger even when fear warns them to stop?
Made in Abyss dares to confront that ancient question. Beneath its deceptively cute art style lies a brutal yet breathtaking world—a mirror of our own fascination with the unknown.
Riko, a young explorer, and Reg, a mysterious robotic boy, descend into the Abyss—a literal and symbolic journey toward the origin of life and the limits of morality. This is not just a fantasy; it is a study of human desire, faith, and resilience.

Unlike many mass-produced fantasies, Made in Abyss returns the genre to its roots: awe, danger, and transcendence.
Riko’s quest for her mother and Reg’s search for his identity mirror humanity’s eternal pursuit of knowledge.
Each layer of the Abyss is both a physical descent and a philosophical one—an allegory for human curiosity that defies fear.
Every discovery demands pain; every truth costs a part of the soul. Yet, no one stops.
“The fear of death cannot silence curiosity”—that is the heartbeat of the series.

Bondrewd, the Lord of Dawn, is the embodiment of humanity’s dual nature. He is both scientist and priest, a seeker who sacrifices everything for understanding.
His obsession with “prayer” turns faith into experiment and love into tragedy.
In a world without gods, he becomes one—a divine figure of horror and devotion.
Through him, the series poses its cruel question: If truth demands cruelty, will you still pursue it?
Bondrewd’s monstrosity is not villainy but devotion taken too far. His brilliance lies in revealing that evil and enlightenment often share the same face.

The animation by Kazuchika Kise captures a paradoxical beauty: warmth and horror intertwined.
Blood and tears have weight; every wound feels earned.
Episodes 10–13 are especially unforgettable, confronting viewers with the price of being alive. Pain becomes proof of existence, not punishment.
Through silence, light, and music, the series teaches that despair and hope are inseparable twins.
As Riko, Reg, and Nanachi descend, their laughter becomes a rebellion—a declaration that curiosity will always triumph over fear.

Made in Abyss is not just an adventure—it’s a reflection of humanity’s will to seek, even in darkness.
Its characters, torn between love, pain, and discovery, embody our endless struggle to give meaning to existence.
When we gaze into the Abyss and it gazes back, we see not death—but life, fragile and luminous.
To live is to descend, to suffer, to learn, and to rise again.
That is the true gift of Made in Abyss—a story of despair so deep, it becomes divine.

• Riko — Voiced by Miyu Tomita
• Reg — Voiced by Mariya Ise
• Nanachi — Voiced by Shiori Izawa
• Nat — Voiced by Mutsumi Tamura
• Shiggy — Voiced by Manami Numakura
• Lyza the Annihilator — Voiced by Maaya Sakamoto
• Ozen the Immovable — Voiced by Sayaka Ohara
• Maruruk — Voiced by Aki Toyosaki

• Original Work: Akihito Tsukushi
• Director: Masayuki Kojima
• Series Composition: Hideyuki Kurata
• Character Design: Kazuchika Kise
• Music: Kevin Penkin
• Animation Studio: キネマシトラス

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