Made in Abyss

There's no doubt that longing for the unknown has been a major driving force in the human history, as it urged us to discover and explore. Even when the process is dangerous, the thirst for something new and grand often proves too much to care for any hazard or menace. "When your minds made up, there's no point trying to change it."

And not unlike sailors who boarded ships towards the New World back in 15th century, the characters of "Made in Abyss" can't resist the urge to get inside the titular pit which leads as far as 20 km into the ground. It boasts an unique microclimate, with fantastical plants and vicious animals, as well as the “Curse”, a mysterious illness caused by ascending within its confines. But more importantly, the depth is filled with artifacts of various characteristics which are sold to people all around the world. As such exploring the Abyss became a viable job, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to make a living by scavenging the dangerous area for objects that could be of value.

One aspect of the unknown is that you can never know just how dangerous it really is. The Abyss is divided into layers, with first one believed to be relatively safe and a good starting point for pretty young children to practice their scavenging. But one day something unexpected happens, as during one of those training escapades, a blonde girl named Riko gets cornered by a large monster. She's all but gone, when suddenly, a mysterious stranger appears and saves her. This experience does not discourage the kid whatsoever, as she's still eager to get a higher rank and thus earn the right to delve deeper into the void.

This is pretty much the crux of this show. The abyss keeps proving to be as awful as everyone says, and then some. It's constantly portrayed as an insanely dangerous, cruel and miserable land. It's a place that no sane person should ever want to find themselves in. Yet despite all that, there are people who keep returning. Hell, some even decide to inhabit it. For all these souls, there is something the outside world can't provide them with. They have a thirst that only be quenched by this equally hazardous and fascinating land, the terrain as terrible as it is beautiful. They will stand strong in face of any misfortune and danger. Maybe that in itself is enough to be their reward. Or perhaps the real prize awaits them at the end of the journey. Who knows?

"Made in Abyss" seems to take great delight in torturing its characters, both physically and psychologically. This is done in contrast to show’s fable-like artstyle and atmosphere. They get beaten up, hurt, sick, are put in awful conditions and told terrible things. They are in constant state of terror and peril. Their victories are short lived and the dangers just line up one after another. Every misstep can cost a life, and sometimes plain bad luck is enough to end the journey in a casket (or more likely, a monster's intestines). The people molded by this crude world tend to be rough and lack sympathy, or simply forget how to express it. It may seem pointless to ask them for help, but doing so just may set you apart from those too stubborn to admit weakness, and cause a change of heart. In the world so void of earnestness, you can't help but want to get behind those who still haven't lost their spark.