This review may include minor spoilers. If you want to see the movie without any details of what's it about, watch it before reading.
In "Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul", we get to follow the trio Riko, Reg and Nanachi on their next adventure to explore the secrets of the Abyss, and while doing so, they have to face the past and cruelty of their lifes and the Abyss. As they are headed for the lower regions, we are already reminded of the true nature that the Abyss portrays.
This is the beginning of a journey that has no turning back. No matter how dark it gets, you'll be fine. You're bright, after all. And while a flower wilts, you must push forward.
While in the beginning of the first Season, their adventures were more light-hearted, the setting of the movie begins in a dark way, showing that even beautiful views can result in tragedies that can't be prevented, except by fighting back. The trio already knows this of course, as all of them have experienced the brutality of the lower levels, therefore the steps they take in order to move forward are more cautious than ever. Looking back, the atmosphere in the movie appends to the last arc of the first season. But while we already have experienced the pain and suffering that the curse may inflict, it was only a small part of what's waiting in the Abyss. In the movie, the trio has to face this uncomfortable fact and in order to overcome these hurdles, fight against relentless and cruel enemies and learn to deal with the unfairness this world inflicts on them.
But not only does the movie provide a darker theme, it completely changes the dynamic that we saw throughout the first season. We're not experiencing the fun adventure style anymore, but a life or death one that leaves no time to take a breath. But what exactly is their goal here? Is Made in Abyss really just Riko's attempt to find her mother? To understand where Reg is coming from? It's a question that "Dawn of the Deep Soul" tries to explore in a way that sometimes may be subtle, yet at other times pretty clear. That even if Riko meets her mother, it won't be the end. That even if Nanachi has lost everything precious, they still risk everything for Riko and Reg. And that no matter what happens, Reg will always keep them safe. Their dynamic is not just "a weird group that wants to get to the bottom of the Abyss", it's "a weird group that wants to get to the bottom of the Abyss, together". And in order to do that, they will do everything in their power to protect and help their friends, even if it seems impossible.
As expected of a movie, the visuals are way better than those of a normal TV anime. But what Kinema Citrus delivered is something that I absolutely did not expect. The characters, backgrounds and colors are drawn in beautiful detail, exceeding what's normal by far. But not only do the still scenes look gorgeous, the fight scenes and animations are cleaner than Nanachi's fur. Fire and light animations make you sit infront of the screen with your jaw dropped, the 3D camera movements are just great and really enhance the already exciting fights. But to close it all off...
...and listen. It already becomes clear in the first few minutes of the movie who made the soundtrack. It will fill your ears and steal your heart into what's happening, paralyze your whole body in scenes where its volume draws you into every frame, fading out whatever is happening around the screen. Mystic and dramatic, light and adventurous, there's nothing this soundtrack doesn't portray perfectly. So you could just close your eyes, play the movie without even looking, and still feel every drip of emotion that you would normally experience, just by listening to the concert you are given.
If you liked how the first Season turned into a more serious series, than you will probably absolutely love this movie. As for me, I absolutely love it. The storytelling advanced, the production is truely amazing, the soundtrack will stay in my head for a long time to come and while the movie may have small pacing issues in the last third, all in all I will gladly include it into my most favorite pieces of anime, ever.
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