At first glance, Made in Abyss looks like it would be a lighthearted fantasy adventure. The characters are made with soft lines and wide eyes, surrounded by a whimsical environment with lush landscapes. The world feels inviting and invokes curiosity through the mysterious vertical chasm known as the Abyss. For many, the first impression is overwhelmingly charming and draws fans into what they likely expected to be a coming-of-age story.

Instead, viewers all found themselves in for more than they were expecting. Based on the manga by Akihito Tsukushi, Made in Abyss first premiered in 2017 and shocked audiences with its sharp turn. The descent into the Abyss is harrowing and riddled with danger, and the story disarms audiences with its cruel twists and unexpected darkness. The series is hauntingly compelling and leaves behind a powerful and unforgettable impact.

Made in Abyss Proves That Looks Can Be Deceiving

Made in Abyss Starts Off Cute, But Quickly Takes A Turn That Nobody Was Expecting

Made in Abyss draws viewers in with its delicate, storybook visuals and a childlike sense of wonder. Its first episodes have cozy moments, quirky interactions, and whimsical creature designs that feel more comforting than threatening. While the creatures have been shown as dangerous, viewers aren’t immediately struck with a sense of dread. Even the designs of the characters, with their wide eyes and soft expressions, give off the sense of safety and innocence. Its appearance is charming and leads audiences into thinking they’re in for a fun adventure.

Then, as the characters descend into the Abyss, the storyline follows, turning the tone grim. The shift arrives without warning and lands with disturbing force. With sudden violence, brutal injuries, psychological trauma, and body horror creep into the narrative, shattering any expectation of a fun adventure. Made in Abyss forced viewers to reassess what kind of story they’re watching as it pushed dark and horrifying tales with unflinching intensity. Yet, its ability to hide its darkness beneath a gentle atmosphere is exactly what makes the series so striking and unforgettable.

The Series Has a Captivating and Unique Premise

Made in Abyss Quickly Draws in Its Viewers With Mystery and Intrigue

Made in Abyss is set in a world that’s centered around an endlessly deep and mysterious chasm. No one knows how deep the vertical pit goes or how it came to be. The Abyss is filled with ancient relics, strange creatures, and an otherworldly beauty that hides its grim nature. Each layer of the pit follows its own logic with unique environments, physical laws, and increasingly dangerous curses that affect those who try to climb back up. It’s more just a setting because its mystery draws people in both within the story and through the screen as audiences watch.

The main protagonist is a young girl named Riko, who chooses to adventure into the depths of the Abyss. Despite the curses and inability to return, Riko ventures down the chasm in order to find her long-lost mother, who is a legendary Cave Raider, Lyza the Annihilator. She’s ed by Reg, a mysterious robot boy with unknown origins who ascended the Abyss, although he has no memories of doing so. Unlike ordinary adventure fantasy anime, their goal isn’t to conquer or save anyone, but rather to survive and find out the truth to the most elusive answers of all.

Made in Abyss Questions What It Means To Be Human

Not Everything Is as It Seems in the Abyss, and Characters Are Deceiving

One of the most compelling aspects of the series is that it constantly blurs the line between humanity and monstrosity. The White Whistles, elite explorers of the Abyss, serve as a perfect example of the erosion of moral boundaries in pursuit of knowledge and legacy. Ozen the Immoveable has an unsettling presence and a cryptic morality. She’s an example of how prolonged exposure to the Abyss changes the body and soul of a person. Her actions are cruel and cold, but they’re driven by a survivalist logic that reframes what comion looks like in the depths of the Abyss.

Through Bondrewd, the series questions whether intent matters when the outcome is monstrous and whether there is any humanity left in someone who discarded morality so completely.

Another White Whistle, Bondrewd, is a far more horrifying contradiction. Coming across as polite, articulate, and even gentle at times, he seems like he’d be a stand-up character. However, he is responsible for many atrocities that he carried out under the guise of progress and paternal care. Despite the horror of his actions, he genuinely believes that his work is righteous, even as it destroys countless lives. Through him, the series questions whether intent matters when the outcome is monstrous and whether there is any humanity left in someone who discarded morality so completely.

In contrast to those who appear human, the heartbreaking story of Mitty and Nanachi is powerful. The two were subjected to terrible experiments at the hands of Bondrewd and represent what the Abyss can take from a person. Mitty’s transformation strips her of speech and form, yet she retains emotion and the ability to feel love and pain. Nanachi, who loses her human form, maintains her intellect and sense of self, and devotes herself to preserving what remains of Mitty’s soul. Their bond is proof alone of how little physical appearance can measure humanity and comion.

Made in Abyss Is Hard To Watch At Times, But Well Worth It

Made In Abyss May Not Be For Everyone, But It Offers A Gripping Narrative

Made in Abyss doesn’t shy away from portraying intense emotional and physical suffering, which makes certain scenes difficult to bear. The series confronts viewers with moments of raw pain, loss, and moral ambiguity that impact viewers. Its depiction of trauma and pain challenges standard comfort zones in anime and requires emotional resilience and a willingness to face the uncomfortable. Despite its harshness, the series rewards viewers with emotional payoffs and eye-catching worldbuilding. The Abyss itself may be full of dangers, but it's also filled with otherworldly wonder that’s hard to turn away from.

While the series may be a difficult journey, it’s well worth it for its exploration of growth, loss, and resilience to push forward. It's unlike any other anime with a blend of whimsical art and intense body horror that challenges every expectation audiences could have of it. It takes on a heavy burden through its themes that question innocence, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be human. For those willing to brave the depths of the story, Made in Abyss offers a powerful and shocking experience that fans won’t soon forget.