[Criticism] Made in Abyss: a ruthless adventure in soft pastel tones…

The adventures of Rico and Reg (Legu) are on pause, the opportunity for us to return to one of the most appreciated anime of the hot season: Made in Abyss ! Our favorite of the summer, but also of the year for the moment. To see if an anime of autumn will be able to dethrone him, but it promises to be difficult!

Warning

If this anime with pastel colors and "cute" characters makes you eye, take the time to read these few lines. Made in Abyss is not an anime for children and is classified in the category of seinen (mature/adult anime). And he does not usurp this place. It contains violent scenes (episode 10 in particular) that can shock the youngest and most sensitive.

To be reserved for an informed public.

Made in Abyss

Original title: メイドインアビス – Meido in Abisu

Gender:  Fantastic, action, magic

Type: Seinen

Timeframe: June 22 to September 29, 2017

Platform: Wakanim

Number of episodes: 13

Studio: Kinema Citrus (Barakamon, Yuyushiki)

Realization: Masayuki Kojima (Monster, Black Bullet, Piano Forest)

Original character design: Akihito Tsukushi (manga)

Character design: Kazuchika Kise (Ghost in the Shell, Kimi no na wa)

Composer: Kevin Perkin (Under the Dog, NORN9)

Synopsis

Rico lives in a city not quite like the others… The city of Orse shelters in its heart a mysterious and still unexplored place: the Abyss. In this crevice, of which little is known, sleep treasures on which some would like to get their hands. Despite the fear of the unknown and danger, curiosity pushes many people to venture there. And the young Rico is no exception to this rule, dreaming of becoming a Cave Raider to equal her late mother.

But during a banal exploration that goes wrong, she will meet a funny robot, looking like a human. A new page in the history of this mischievous girl is about to be written…

This review inevitably contains some spoilers about the anime. To be read at your own risk.

Made in Abyss, the nugget of summer

We suspected it and so did you. But Made in Abyss has gradually settled in the hearts of spectators to take a place of honor.And this, sometimes, from the first episode. An anime with a catchy and mysterious scenario, which even at the end of a season of 13 episodes, still leave countless shadows. A scenario led crescendo and baton, which perfectly held its melody from beginning to end. And which has, many times, struck a chord with our heartstrings…

First emerging from the edge of Orse, the city of the abyss, Made in Abyss slowly but surely builds a scenario capable of holding a hell of a long time. First the touching story, of these orphans who give everything to be able to touch their dream with their fingertips: to become white whistles. Then, the discovery of a relic for the least surprising, resembling a human: Reg, who will quickly become friends with the young and intrepid Rico. A meeting that will quickly follow up the mystery that still surrounds the anime at the end of the season: Rico's mother, white whistle disappeared, and her invitation to join her in the depths of the Abyss … It was enough for Rico who will plunge into the abyss with Reg as his only companion. The meetings will multiply, sometimes bad, sometimes good. Sometimes proving dangerously deadly. Not to mention this curse of the Abyss that falls on any adventurer exceeding certain levels or who would like to go back up… After hard trials, our two friends are preparing to leave, ever lower in the abyss. And no one knows what awaits them in the depths… And what awaits us in the – very likely – second season.

The Abyss remains a mystery, despite the long and dangerous descent begun by our two heroes to find Rico's mother. Its fauna is as rich as its flora can be saving. But animals and plants alike can be formidable. And above all fatal. But that, Reg and Rico will learn quickly at their expense. If you have the soul of an adventurer and the heart well hooked, perhaps you can follow our two young heroes in the depths of the infinite abyss that calls them! Because the Inverted Forest and the Sea of Corpses await you. And you won't be able to reassemble it in one piece…

Pastel hues, for a ruthless but fair work

Still thought Reg and Rico were going for a healthy walk in the woods? Pick a few flowers, mushrooms and return wisely to the orphanage? If this is the case, I advise you to click on the cross at the top of your page on the right, because the rest could make you sick.

In the first episode, we loved the adorable boil of these two young children, full of life and spirit, all wrapped up in a splendid pastel animation. And on this side, there is nothing to complain about: the animation is just beautiful. The carefully chosen colors perfectly reflect the threat of the abyss, the helplessness, the fear. The actions are fluid and the detailed scenery is worked. But in the following episodes, we very quickly understood that the tone was not going to remain so good-natured afterwards… To follow Made in Abyss to the end, you will need a strong stomach and a valiant heart. The Abyss will not spare Reg and Rico because they are children. Quite the opposite. The Abyss never spares anyone.

Some scenes are violent. And if some moments differ somewhat from the manga, there is one scene in particular that will be very difficult to live with, but very faithful. And that lasts. Hard. Hard. Your stomach will turn and your heart will tighten as the scene will become unbearable. But such is the reality of the Abyss. She doesn't give gifts to anyone. And especially not to the curious cavemen who dare to explore it. Only a few characters seem to make it more or less and live in the Abyss. But their past is tortured, inhuman for some, painful. And like Reg and Rico, they have discovered at their expense the harsh reality of the Abyss, but also the human monstrosity and the dark desires that the Abyss brings.

Sometimes of a rare violence, sometimes of an unparalleled sweetness, Made in Abyss is one of those anime that has a real strength of character and an identity of its own. An anime that reminds us that life is not always easy and that it is full of risks. And that it is better to enjoy it every day, because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

Vibrates the string of feelings

With Made in Abyss, you embark on a visual journey, but also sentimental. From the first episode, where discovery and curiosity mingled, to the final episode, long but so moving, no one could remain marble in the face of so many feelings, humanity and pain.

If already the moving story of Rico and his missing mother has not touched you, you will surely take out the handkerchiefs with the touching duo Nanachi / Meethi. Or when Reg's despair is at its peak and his world around him collapses. No need to remind you of that part of the anime, do you? Because I already see your eyes getting wet, just by rehashing these few memories… Made in Abyss is an anime that is both powerful and vibrant, thanks to its elaborate characters. Living characters inhabited by a unique flame, with whom we identify very quickly and simply. From the terrifying Ozen, to the protector Habolg, to the severe and understanding Giro or the mysterious and dark Bondrewd… The number of important characters is limited but each knows how to bring what is needed to our two main heroes. And also knows, on occasion, to touch us and make us react personally in one way or another.

But if Made in Abyss is so vibrant and has touched your feelings so deeply, it is also and above all, thanks to its majestic soundtrack. Music where the throbbing tears of the violins intermingle with the painful chords of the piano and make your body shudder. Sumptuous OST and impeccable quality that will strike a chord with your soul. Sometimes scary, they will frighten even the most adventurous adventurers. Sometimes moving, they will tighten your throat and let a few salty drops bead at the corner of your eyes. Sometimes surprising, they will make a new feeling rumble in you and give you courage and strength. Who has not been captivated by the sumptuous and vibrant song "Tomorrow"? Who has not felt a new hope invade him with the title "Adventure Through the Light"? Who did not hold back their tears at the end of this last episode, overwhelmed by the emotion of the scene and the superb music accompanying it? OST that we owe to the talented Kevin Penkin! Even the opening and ending seduced us throughout the season!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeSbmS06k1k

Ah, but don't get depressed! Made in Abyss is also joy, discovery and love. Because in the Abyss, if things do not always go as planned, it is for the worse, like the best! Your soul will tremble before Ozen the immovable, your heart will miss a beat in front of the abyssal monsters, and your smile will grow as you discover adorable furry creatures. The varied atmosphere will make you go through multiple emotions in a single episode, for our greatest pleasure. Subtle on every level, this anime will soon prove to be one of the big favorites of the year. Trust us!

In short, and from my point of view, Made in Abyss is the anime of the year – for now, even if it seems difficult to dethrone. Sublime in its animation and music, subtle in its details and scenario, moving every minute and every note played. If you don't know what to watch as anime and are looking for a quality anime that will make you feel alive… Don't go any further, Made in Abyss is the perfect title on Wakanim !

An anime that you will find, for sure, in our top anime of the end of the year! We meet again very quickly to talk again about Made in Abyss in song! As a bonus, we leave you a gallery of illustrations made by the talented Mieko Hosoi!

And you, is this title also one of your favorites of the year?