In this new episode of Anime Breakfast we are going to discuss with you Made in Abyss, the animated adaptation of Akihito Tsukushi’s manga which arrived in Italy thanks to Dynit
New week, new Sunday, new Anime Breakfast (here is the complete list of episodes!). And if last week we went a little too far, talking to you about Captain Laserhawk (click here to read about it!), this time we want to return to the most classic form of Japanese animation. Made in Abyss was born as a manga, written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushiway back in 2012 (hell, 12 years have already passed), and arrived in Italy thanks to J-Pop in 2018.
And how was the anime series born?
Starting from July 2017, an animated series, produced by Kinema Citrus, has been airing in Japan, which currently has a complete season, a second in production, and a feature film. The anime has arrived in Italy thanks to Dynit and is available on both Prime Video and VVVVID. Ah, “that” video game doesn’t exist. Even though we wrote a review about it. It doesn’t exist anyway.
Roar of the Abyss | Anime Breakfast: Made in Abyss
The story of Made in Abyss begins in the city of Orth, located on the edge of the Abyss, a vast and mysterious chasm that appeared many years before and attracts and “subtracts” explorers from all over the world. Riko, our protagonist, is a young orphan determined to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Lyza, a famous explorer of the Abyss who, although she hasn’t returned for a long time now, has earned the epithet of Annihilator. One day, the girl “meets” by chance a young boy without memory, called Reg, who seems to have originated from the Abyss.
The two therefore decide to join together to undertake a journey to the bottom of the chasm, with the goal of finding Lyza and unraveling the mysteries surrounding her. Along the way they will face deadly challenges, both physically and psychologically, they will meet extraordinary creatures and also other explorers, who will have the most disparate intentions. Stop, we won’t tell you anything else: the risk of spoilers is always around the corner.
Remembering home | Anime Breakfast: Made in Abyss
What is fascinating about the narrative of Made in Abyss is the constant attempt to mix moments of wonder and innocence with others of palpable tension and terrible darkness. The mystery that surrounds the abyss is much more deadly than it may seem at first, and Riko and Reg are just two children, mentally speaking. They will not emerge unscathed, whether this trip is good or bad. And we still don’t know, actually, because season 2 is still ongoing!
Of all things, however, the most successful sector is world-building: the setting of the Abyss is spectacular, in every sense. A vast, mysterious place, made up of increasingly disturbing levels that are difficult for human understanding. The Abyss is Made in Abyss and represents its beating heart. As we move towards the end, the settings go from being picturesque and at least familiar to the human eye, to increasingly surreal and literally extraordinary levels.
Gallantry and Recapitulation | Anime Breakfast: Made in Abyss
The creatures that inhabit it are many and they are all rather bizarre, some even dangerous. They are called “beasts of the Abyss” and, obviously, the further down you go, they become more and more dangerous and bizarre. Furthermore, the Abyss is not only a physical place, but also serves as a metaphor for the search for knowledge, the darkness of life, and the need to face one’s inner demons on a daily basis. In short, together with Riko and Reg, the third fundamental protagonist is precisely the chasm that extends at the foot of Orth.
The anime also often deals with the theme of death and tragedy. A feature of the Abyss that we haven’t told you about yet, in fact, it is the danger of the ascent. Explorers like Riko and Reg can decide to go back from the Abyss, towards the city of Orth, but this entails increasingly serious physical damage the more levels they have to climb. The choice therefore becomes fundamental between continuing exploration and facing mortal risks, remaining condemned to live in the abyss if one has descended too many levels, or abandoning the Abyss, jeopardizing one’s existence in any case. Life and death are deeply intertwined, one becoming the other’s trusted companion.
Swings and Roundabouts | Anime Breakfast: Made in Abyss
Another of the aspects most appreciated by the public and specialized critics of Made in Abyss is definitely its technical and aesthetic sector. The obsessive attention to detail and the overall quality of the work, in fact, are well above average. The anime’s character designer is Kazuchika Kise, known for his ability to convey the characters’ unique personalities. All the protagonists have a distinctive appearance that reflects the fantastical and often dangerous world in which they live. They have very expressive faces that manage to convey emotions and connect viscerally with the viewer.
On a technical level, the animations of Made in Abyss are of excellent quality, especially as regards the action sequences and the clashes with the creatures of the Abyss, characterized by dynamism and fluidity. The use of visual effects such as lights, shadows and environmental details helps make scenes more immersive. The soundtrack, composed by Kevin Penkin, contributes to this, universally acclaimed because it adapts perfectly to the scenes shown, further amplifying the emotional load of some scenes.
Welcome to my World
In short, to conclude this episode of Anime Breakfast, we can only recommend watching Made in Abyss. An anime that has profound technical expertise and truly exceptional design and world-building. However, expect a plot that is at times very hard, thoughtful and traumatic: although Tsukushi’s aesthetic style, which refers a lot to the “Loli” world, may make it seem the opposite, things in Made in Abyss often go wrong. Without you even realizing it, until tragedy strikes. Good vision!
We remind you that you can recover the Made in Abyss anime both in the Amazon Prime Video catalog and in that of VVVVID! Find the two reference links below. Let us know what you think below in the comments and stay tuned with us at TechGameWorld.com for all the news on the world of cinema and TV series!
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