Made in Abyss

The story unfolds around the "Abyss," humanity's last unexplored giant vertical hole, its depths still unknown. Surrounding its rim is the city of Orth, home to "Cave Raiders" who risk their lives daily to explore the Abyss in search of sustenance, wondrous "Relics," and the romance of the unknown.

Riko, an aspiring Red Whistle Cave Raider living in an orphanage, dreams of becoming a great Cave Raider like her legendary mother, Lyza. During an exploration, Riko is saved from a life-threatening situation by a mysterious entity. Following the heat ray's trail, she discovers a robot resembling a human boy.

Riko names the robot Reg, and they begin to live together, discreetly avoiding the orphanage adults. Two months after Reg joins the orphanage, Lyza's White Whistle and a sealed letter ascend from the Abyss. The letter contains information about never-before-seen creatures from the deep layers, a note that reads "Waiting at the bottom of the Abyss," and a drawing of a robot resembling Reg.

Motivated by Lyza's message, Riko and Reg decide to descend into the Abyss's deepest layers. Riko seeks to reunite with her mother, while Reg yearns to uncover his true identity.

The Abyss

The primary setting of the story is a colossal vertical shaft, opening in the center of an isolated island in the Southern Beolusk Sea. With a diameter of approximately 1000 meters and an unknown depth, the Abyss harbors a unique ecosystem and numerous "Relics" crafted with technology far surpassing that of humanity. A peculiar force field within the shaft hinders surface observation, and the deeper one descends, the more pronounced the distortion in the flow of time becomes, with years in the deep potentially equating to decades on the surface.

Descending Cave Raiders attempting to return to the surface experience a phenomenon known as the "Ascension Sickness," or "Curse of the Abyss." While mild dizziness and nausea occur at shallower depths, the effects become increasingly severe and fatal in the deeper layers, culminating in certain death from the seventh layer onwards. Hidden within the "Curse" lies a "Blessing," which, if the "Curse" is somehow bypassed, can grant new senses, physical enhancements (like beastification), or mitigate the "Curse" itself, providing advantages for further exploration.

City of Orth: A large city built on the Abyss's rim, serving as a hub for Cave Raiders. It is divided into five districts: North, South, East, West, and Central. The South District contains the "Cliffside Town," a slum built by grave robbers, with half its structures protruding into the Abyss. The West District is home to the Bellchero Orphanage, where Riko and her friends reside.

Deep Layer 1: Abyss's Edge: Ranging from 0m to 1350m deep. Ascension sickness causes only light dizziness and nausea, and the value of found relics is low. It contains numerous "Praying Skeletons," believed to be about 2000 years old, and a waterfall-style gondola operates between 50m and 580m. Near the boundary with Deep Layer 2 is the "Wind Rider's Windmill," an over 4000-year-old structure designed to capture updrafts.

Deep Layer 2: Forest of Temptation: Extends from 1350m to 2600m deep. Ascension sickness brings heavy nausea, headaches, and numbness in the extremities. The layer is covered in dense forests, leading to the "Inverted Forest" where trees grow upside down. This area has unstable air currents. The "Seeker Camp" is located at the end of Deep Layer 2, where the curse is slightly weaker.

Deep Layer 3: Great Fault: From 2600m to 7000m deep. Ascension sickness, in addition to Layer 2 symptoms, causes loss of balance, hallucinations, and auditory hallucinations. It is characterized by a straight, massive vertical shaft with sheer cliffs, serving as a nest for powerful creatures. Smaller side holes, however, harbor relatively docile animals and lead down to Deep Layer 4.

Deep Layer 4: Goblet of Giants: Spanning 7000m to 12000m deep. Ascension sickness manifests as intense pain throughout the body and bleeding from all orifices. The layer is dominated by colossal plants called Dailakazura, over 800m tall, forming goblet-like shapes filled with liquid from their carnivorous traps, hence the name. A special force field makes the space appear bluish and highly humid. Nanachi's hideout, "Nanachi's House," is in a low-curse area at the edge. This layer also features the cluster of Everlasting Flowers, a favorite of Lyza.

Deep Layer 5: Sea of Corpses: Situated from 12000m to 13000m deep. Ascension sickness leads to a loss of all senses, accompanied by mental confusion and self-mutilation. Only White Whistle Cave Raiders could reach here and few returned, but now the "Frontline Base (Ido Front)" is established, allowing Black Whistles with permission. It is covered in water, requiring swimming or descending waterfalls to go deeper. A layer of viscous water supports the upper waters.

Deep Layer 6: Capital of the Unreturned: Located from 13000m to 15500m deep. Ascension sickness results in loss of humanity or death. Details are largely unknown. Those deformed by the curse from ascending this layer are called "Hollows." Descent beyond this layer is known as the "Last Dive" (Zekkai-kō), as return is virtually impossible due to fatal ascension sickness. While initially a realm for White Whistles to activate specific relics, a "Hollow Village" now exists, where Hollows live with their own unique values, having reached this layer through their own means.

Deep Layer 7: Final Maelstrom: Beyond 15500m deep. Though its existence is confirmed, its ultimate depth remains unknown.

Abyss's Pole: Bottom of the Abyss: Beyond 20000m deep. Details are unknown.

Ascension Sickness

A mysterious physical phenomenon that occurs when humans ascend within the Abyss (e.g., climbing a slope, floating in water). Commonly known as the "Curse of the Abyss," its symptoms vary by depth, becoming progressively more severe and fatal the deeper one goes.

Deep Layer 1: Light dizziness and nausea.

Deep Layer 2: Heavy nausea, headache, and numbness in the extremities.

Deep Layer 3: In addition to Layer 2 symptoms, loss of balance, hallucinations, and auditory hallucinations.

Deep Layer 4: Intense full-body pain and bleeding from all orifices.

Deep Layer 5: Loss of all senses, mental confusion, and self-mutilation.

Deep Layer 6: Loss of humanity or death.

Deep Layer 7: Certain death.

Force Field

A mysterious "force field" permeates the Abyss. It channels surface light deep into the chasm while simultaneously shrouding it from aerial observation like a veil.

Cave Raiders

The collective term for adventurers who venture into the Abyss. Those affiliated with Orth's Cave Raider Guild wear rank-determining whistles around their necks, which dictate their "limit depth" for descent. Foreigners can also obtain a whistle and license by following procedures, starting from the Bell rank. However, some private prospectors and grave robbers also enter the Abyss without guild affiliation.

Bell: The lowest rank, signifying a "Cave Raider egg," who cannot descend into the Abyss.

Red Whistle: An "Apprentice Cave Raider," with a limit depth of 450m within Deep Layer 1.

Blue Whistle: A "Journeyman," whose limit depth extends to Deep Layer 2. To obtain this rank, one must be at least 15 years old.

Moon Whistle: An "Instructor," with a limit depth reaching Deep Layer 4.

Black Whistle: A "Master," whose limit depth extends to Deep Layer 5.

White Whistle: The highest rank in Cave Raiding, with no limit depth. Only a handful of explorers have achieved this rank, and they are revered as "legendary heroes" and known as "Stars of the Netherworld." Each White Whistle bears a unique epithet, such as "Lord of Dawn" or "The Immovable."

As of the start of the story, five active White Whistles are known: Ouzen (The Immovable), Bondrewd (Lord of Dawn), Srajo (The Mysterious), Wakuna (The Sovereign), and Lyza (The Annihilator, officially deceased after her "Last Dive").

White Whistles are distinct from lower-ranked whistles, crafted from a Second Grade Relic called "Life-Echoing Stone" (Yuaworth). They serve as a key to access Deep Layer 6 and beyond, or to activate specific relics. Each Yuaworth is uniquely generated for its owner, making it unusable by anyone else. This is why Riko inherited her mother Lyza's whistle. Riko herself later acquires her own Yuaworth under unfortunate circumstances. Bondrewd, through his research into Yuaworth generation, developed "Cartridges," items made from the same material that shoulder the Curse of the Abyss.

Cave Raiders transmit information from the Abyss using "Relay Boats," which are small, gas-powered balloons using seeds from special Abyss plants, or heat-powered balloons. However, due to the Abyss's complexity, few Relay Boats reach Orth safely, with the success rate decreasing significantly from deeper layers. While information from deep-layer Relay Boats is often dismissed as rumors due to potential mental instability of the sender, information sent by a White Whistle is always treated as truth.

Relics

The collective term for artificial objects found exclusively within the Abyss, each possessing mysterious properties. Processed Relics and processed native organisms are also considered Relics. They are categorized by value into Fourth Grade, First Grade, and Special Grade (undisclosed Relics' grades are estimated or unknown). Relics are auctioned, receiving names through the bidding process. White Whistle Cave Raiders are permitted to own up to First Grade Relics, but ownership of Special Grade Relics is illegal. Even lower-grade Relics command high prices abroad, and Special Grade Relics can influence international power balances. Even rarer historical relics are called "Treasures of the Netherworld" (Overed), but their existence is never publicly acknowledged, making them semi-urban legends.

Hello Abyss (Main Story)

This section focuses on the central narrative of Made in Abyss, primarily following Riko and Reg.

Main Characters

Riko: The protagonist, a 12-year-old Red Whistle (Cave Raider apprentice) with golden pigtails and glasses. While her eyesight is normal, she wears special crystal lenses to prevent headaches caused by the Abyss's curse. She is the daughter of the legendary White Whistle, Lyza. Having grown up in the Bellchero Orphanage since her mother's departure into the Abyss at age two, Riko harbors a profound admiration for the Abyss and dreams of becoming a White Whistle herself. A message and her mother's whistle, found after ten years, spark her journey to the bottom of the Abyss.

Riko is highly curious, active, and prone to emotional fluctuations. Her adventurous spirit sometimes borders on recklessness, like investigating a comatose Reg with electric shocks. She often tastes new things in the Abyss, despite frequent stomach aches. Though physically weak, her extensive knowledge of the Abyss, including memorizing the Relic Catalog, proves invaluable for their expeditions. She possesses remarkable resolve, exemplified when she requested her arm be cut at the elbow to minimize future handicaps after being poisoned.

She is an excellent cook, highly praised by Reg and Nanachi, skillfully preparing Abyss creatures into delicious meals. Her birth in the Abyss was originally a stillbirth, but she was revived by the true power of the "Curse-Ward Casket," which has the ability to bring life back to its contents. In Deep Layer 5, she befriends Prushka, who later becomes her White Whistle "Life-Echoing Stone," sharing senses and aiding her "Last Dive."

Reg: The other protagonist, a robot boy discovered by Riko in a deactivated state within the Abyss. He suffers from amnesia, unable to recall his name or even his robotic nature. It is speculated he originated from the Abyss's deeper layers. Riko named him after a dog she once owned, a fact he was amused by upon learning. Despite his mechanical limbs, his appearance and weight are indistinguishable from a human boy. He possesses extraordinary strength, extending arms over 40 meters, and a powerful "Incinerator" heat ray. As a robot, he is immune to the Curse of the Abyss.

Reg is generally earnest, innocent, and pure-hearted. Despite being a robot, he exhibits a rich emotional spectrum typical of a human child. He is also quite timid, believing in ghosts and the occult, often making him a target for Nat's teasing. He often gets emotional and indecisive in overwhelming situations. He typically wears his upper body exposed, except at the orphanage.

Prior to losing his memories, it is hinted that he spent time with Lyza. His occasional use of the phrase "hard to believe" (度し難い, Doshigatai) for unusual behavior, mirrors Lyza's own catchphrase, suggesting her influence.

He shares many human traits beyond his appearance, including sight, hearing, taste, smell, and pain (though pain subsides even if damage remains). He also produces sweat, tears, saliva, and snot, blinks, breathes, and possesses organs like a navel, nipples, and a penis. Riko even noted his penis felt "lifelike," and there are hints of it having erectile function.

He is sexually sensitive and naive, blushing when Riko reveals she saw his private parts, or when she hugs him, or when he accidentally sees her naked. He enjoys soft textures, such as the "Princess's Breasts" Relic and Nanachi's furry body. Reg is a poor cook, once rupturing internal organs while trying to prepare food. In Layer 5, Bondrewd restrains him and severs his right arm using "Light of the Cardinal's Return" for "investigation," leaving him one-armed. In Layer 6, he meets Faputa, who reveals they were acquainted and he used the name Reg back then.

Incinerator: A powerful heat ray fired from his palms and soles. Its size and range can be freely adjusted. Objects hit by it "dissolve" regardless of material or hardness. A significant drawback is that Reg loses consciousness for 10 minutes after firing, leading to a 2-hour coma. Fearing leaving Riko vulnerable and cautioned by Nanachi about limited Relic uses, Reg reserves it as a last resort.

Nanachi: Appearing in episode 10, Nanachi is a "Hollow" encountered by Riko and Reg. They have a beast-like appearance, resembling a rabbit with large ears and a fur-covered body, often exclaiming "nnaa~". Despite looking like a child, Nanachi is incredibly intelligent, knowledgeable, and mature for their appearance. They are skilled in surgery and pharmacology, but their taste buds are dulled from eating garbage, making them a poor cook.

Originally a street orphan from the far north Sereni, Nanachi was well-read despite lacking formal education. Enticed by Bondrewd's offer, they joined many children on an Abyss expedition. However, they became a test subject in Bondrewd's ascension sickness experiments, where the curse was concentrated onto one of two individuals. Nanachi became a Hollow while retaining their humanity, and was protected by Bondrewd as a valuable sample, aiding his research. To save their friend Mitty, a victim of the same experiment, Nanachi fled. Since then, they lived hidden in an Deep Layer 4 hideout, searching for a way to mercifully end the now-immortal Mitty's suffering. Nanachi cherished Mitty, making dolls and reading to her even after she lost her personality.

Nanachi discovered Riko and Reg in Deep Layer 4 and, out of curiosity, observed them. When the duo was attacked by a Tamaugachi, Nanachi took pity on Reg's distress over gravely injured Riko and rescued them. Nanachi saved Riko's life and reattached her partially severed arm. Recognizing Reg's Incinerator as a potential means to end Mitty's suffering, Nanachi asked Reg to kill Mitty. After witnessing Mitty's end, Nanachi joined Riko and Reg on their journey.

Nanachi's gender is ambiguous. They use the masculine pronoun "oira" and speak in a masculine tone, but as a human, they appeared female. They also exhibit feminine reactions, such as blushing when Reg gets close or rejecting his touch, calling it "lewd."

Orth

Orth is the "City of the Great Pit," formed on the Abyss's rim and serving as the primary setting. It is also home to the Bellchero Orphanage where Riko and her friends reside.

Nat: A boy living in the Bellchero Orphanage with Riko, holding a Red Whistle rank. Hailing from the impoverished Cliffside Town in Orth's South District, his ambition is to build his own orphanage. While frequently bickering with Riko, he secretly harbors feelings for her, and his nagging stems from concern for her safety. Consequently, he was the most vocal opponent of Riko's decision to venture into the Abyss with Reg.

Shiggy: A bespectacled boy residing in the Bellchero Orphanage, also a Red Whistle. Calm and thoughtful, he provided practical advice and assistance without trying to stop Riko when she announced her plan to descend into the Abyss with Reg.

Kiyui: A young boy living in the Bellchero Orphanage, still a Bell rank. Though young and with limited speech, he is beloved by everyone as a younger brother figure. Shortly after Riko and Reg departed, Kiyui fell ill with the "Birthday Curse" prevalent in Orth, but rapidly recovered after being taken to a caravan ship outside the island.

Jiruo: The youth responsible for supervising the children at the Bellchero Orphanage, known as "Leader," and holding a Moon Whistle rank. He is a serious and competent individual, both as a Cave Raider and a person, but Riko, a frequent rule-breaker, fears him. He was Lyza's apprentice and, sensing Riko and Reg's impending departure, quietly saw them off without intervention. He seems to know something about Reg. Later, he accompanies Mio to take Kiyui to the caravan ship and visits Ouzen at the Seeker Camp to investigate the disease afflicting Kiyui. He once declined Ouzen's offer to become her apprentice, but Ouzen still holds him in high regard.

Director: The woman who runs the Bellchero Orphanage, known for her strict adherence to rules, making her feared by the children. She is particularly unforgiving about illicit dealings with relics collected from the Abyss and keeps a close eye on problematic children. It is implied she was a Cave Raider in the past but retired after injuring her knee, now using a cane.

Hablog: A male Black Whistle Cave Raider operating out of Orth. He frequently interacts with the children of the Bellchero Orphanage and is affectionately called "Habo-san" due to his boisterous and approachable personality. He knows both The Immovable Ouzen and The Annihilator Lyza, and is aware of Riko's birth secret. He also claims to be a "White Whistle fanatic" with extensive knowledge of many White Whistles. He is described as a leader capable of unifying and commanding even members of hostile groups. In the side story "How Are You, Dokoka #04," he serves as the overall captain of the "Joint Great Dive" into Deep Layer 2, which includes Ouzen's "Hideweaver" team and Bondrewd's "Umbra Hands."

Raffy: Hablog's wife, who manages a spice shop. She is generous and an excellent cook.

Lyza: Riko's mother, a White Whistle Cave Raider known by the epithets "The Annihilator" or "Annihilator Lyza." She is a petite woman with long, wavy blonde hair, renowned as a legendary figure for her numerous accomplishments in Abyss exploration. Shortly after Riko's birth, she embarked on the "Last Dive" into Deep Layer 6, a journey considered impossible to return from, and her whereabouts are currently unknown. According to her former master, The Immovable Ouzen, and her apprentice, Jiruo, Lyza was a straightforward, audacious, and mischievous woman, often depicted with a cheerful disposition in flashbacks.

Torka: A Black Whistle Cave Raider who was a member of Lyza's exploration team. He later married Lyza and fathered Riko. However, he died before Riko was born, so they never met. In the manga, he only appeared briefly without dialogue, but in the theatrical film "Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn," he appeared with voice in an additional original scene, discussing future exploration plans with Lyza and serving home-cooked meals to Lyza and Ouzen.

Shelmi, Menae: Identical twin siblings living in Orth. They discuss Nethergliphs and Beyondgliphs at a museum. Shelmi later passes away.

Seeker Camp

Ouzen: One of the White Whistles, known by the epithets "The Immovable" or "Immovable Ouzen." Visually a woman of mature age, she stands over 2m tall and has held the White Whistle title for over 50 years, since Lyza was a Red Whistle. She resides in the "Seeker Camp" in Deep Layer 2, having not returned to the surface since rescuing Marulk. She leads the Cave Raider team "Hideweaver." The long-term effects of ascension sickness have caused her scalp to twist, which she conceals with an unusual hairstyle. She has 120 First Grade Relics called "Thousand-Man Wedges" embedded in her body, granting her unparalleled physical strength among White Whistles. She was once Lyza's master and later a partner; it was she who found Lyza's White Whistle.

After hosting Riko and Reg for a night at the Seeker Camp, she reveals Riko's birth secret. Her harsh attitude during this revelation enrages Reg, leading to a one-sided battle where she easily defeats him. Afterward, she puts them through survival training to prepare them for the lower layers and shares her knowledge of the Abyss's secrets, extracting a promise of secrecy. As they leave, she gives them Lyza's heirloom weapon, the Boundless Sprawl. Later, she investigates the "Birthday Curse" with Jiruo.

Ouzen is upfront about disliking "childish tricks" and being often told she is "un-adult-like," demonstrating her cynical and twisted personality. Her intense demeanor and attacks on Reg and Riko, though intended to test their resolve, were quite serious. Yet, she is also surprisingly nurturing, having rescued and mentored Marulk, trained Riko and Reg, and guided her self-invited apprentice Lyza to become a White Whistle. She maintains an extremely hunched posture when eating or conversing, with her back often rising above her head. In the anime, this is accompanied by unsettling bone-creaking sounds as she straightens.

Marulk: A Blue Whistle and a small child with pigtails, Ouzen's apprentice. He refers to himself as "boku" (a masculine pronoun) and wears a maid-like outfit. He was found by Ouzen after an accident left him stranded, and he has lived at the Seeker Camp ever since, unable to go to the surface due to his weakness to sunlight. Being close in age to Riko and Reg, he quickly becomes friends with them. He addresses Ouzen as "Master."

During Riko and Reg's visit, he accompanies them, particularly Reg, and they quickly bond. He considers Riko and Reg invaluable friends and was deeply saddened by their departure. He speaks politely to Riko and Reg, demonstrating a very respectful personality. However, mentally, he is as fragile or even more so than Reg, crying during survival training. He also shares Reg's naivety regarding sexual matters, blushing at Riko's nudity. Riko refers to him with the honorific "-chan," suggesting she perceives him as a girl.

Yelme, Zapo-ji, Shimred: Members of Ouzen's Cave Raider team, "Hideweaver." When Riko and Reg visited the Seeker Camp, they were initially ordered by Ouzen to stay out of sight, but intervened in the fight between Ouzen and Reg at Marulk's request. Afterward, they assisted with Riko and Reg's survival training. Ouzen describes them as a collection of "scoundrels with nowhere to return on the surface." Yelme and Zapo-ji are Star Whistles, while Shimred is a Black Whistle. In the "Joint Great Dive" described in the side story "How Are You, Dokoka #04," Shimred serves as the advance party leader for the expedition.

Nanachi's House

Mitty: Appearing in episode 11, Mitty is a Hollow protected by Nanachi. She possesses a grotesque, animal-like form, described only as a lump of flesh, having lost her personality and intellect, only capable of emitting cries. She inexplicably becomes attached to the ailing Riko, often cuddling with her. Riko recalls hearing her terrified cries in a dream.

Before her transformation, Mitty was an active, red-haired girl from the south, with revealing attire, similar in background to Nanachi. Drawn by Bondrewd's offer and a longing for the Abyss, she befriended the introverted Nanachi during their descent. Soon after, both became subjects in Bondrewd's ascension sickness experiment. Mitty took the full brunt of the curse to spare Nanachi, promising to endure it. She asked Nanachi to "kill" her if she lost her humanity, hoping her soul would return to Nanachi after death in the Abyss.

However, she gained immortality, preventing her death. She was subjected to continuous biological experiments by Bondrewd, including having her left eye destroyed by the Relic "Light of the Cardinal's Return" (Sparagmos), which never regenerated. Although she no longer needed food and could not die, she still retained pain sensation, crying and suffering when her body was damaged. Unable to bear her treatment, Nanachi rescued her, and they lived together in Deep Layer 4. Nanachi made numerous plush toys and read picture books to her, hoping to re-establish communication, but failed. Fearing leaving her alone if Nanachi died first, Nanachi tried to poison her multiple times, but Mitty could not be killed, causing Nanachi great anguish.

Despite her transformation, Mitty's eyes and their sparkle remained unchanged, leading Nanachi to believe her soul might still linger, even without intellect. Realizing Reg's Incinerator possessed the same light and properties as the "Light of the Cardinal's Return," Nanachi asked him to kill Mitty permanently, without regeneration. She met her end, incinerated alongside her plush toys. Riko's subsequent dream revealed Mitty's soul had long been trapped in a dark, terrifying, unseeing, and unhearing state, now finally freed by her demise. Unknown to Nanachi, a duplicate of Mitty, complete with both eyes, was created by Belaf after he encountered her with Bondrewd. This replica Mitty was consumed by Belaf for her regenerative properties until Nanachi intervened. With the collapse of the Hollow Village, the duplicated Mitty, created within the village, lost its form and dissipated, observed by Nanachi.

Ido Front (Frontline Base)

Bondrewd: A White Whistle Cave Raider, known by the epithets "Lord of Dawn" or "New Bondrewd." He is always clad in a mask and a powered suit, residing in the "Frontline Base (Ido Front)," which serves as his home and research facility directly above the Deep Layer 6 entrance. Driven by a singular goal to unravel the mysteries of the Abyss, he holds a deranged value system that sacrifices all, including lives, as research resources. Ouzen describes him as a "hardcore scoundrel" for his inhumane deeds.

He lured many orphans to the Ido Front, consuming them as experimental subjects, including Nanachi and Mitty. His own White Whistle was crafted from his "original self," effectively causing his physical body to disappear from this world. He shows no regard for his own life, yet he uses the Special Grade Relic "Soul-Slave Machine" (ZoaHolic) to implant his consciousness into others, allowing him to persist by possessing the bodies of his enslaved "Umbra Hands." However, this process has led to a mental breakdown, with the author referring to him as "what used to be Bondrewd."

His combat form is heavily armed with numerous relics. He uses "Cartridges," devices made from humans (reduced to essential organs for a few days of survival and confined in boxes), to shoulder the Curse of the Abyss.

He initially welcomes Riko, Reg, and Nanachi, but secretly restrains Reg and severs his right arm for "research." After Prushka helps them escape, he pursues them with his subordinates. He is lured into a Kasshogashira nest by Nanachi and, forcibly pulled up by Reg's wire arm, dies from the ascension sickness. However, he performs a "body exchange" in front of Riko's group, resurrecting himself.

He confronts Riko's group again but is gravely injured when Riko uses Reg's severed arm to fire an Incinerator, blowing off half his torso and rendering him combat-ineffective. He then allows Riko's group to proceed to Deep Layer 6 without further interference.

Despite being hated by Reg for his experiments on Nanachi, Mitty, and even his daughter Prushka, Nanachi holds complex feelings toward him. Nanachi acknowledges that without his experiments, they wouldn't have met Riko's group, and Bondrewd treated Nanachi as a "valuable success story and competent assistant."

Umbra Hands: Bondrewd's Cave Raider team. They serve as his assistants at the Frontline Base, wearing distinct masks and specialized powered suits, their faces and genders concealed. They are essentially enslaved bodies, created by Bondrewd implanting fragments of his consciousness into his subordinates using the Special Grade Relic "Soul-Slave Machine" (ZoaHolic), forming a collective entity. It is implied that even bounty hunters attempting to capture Bondrewd have been used as hosts.

Since Bondrewd's original body was used to create his White Whistle, there is no single individual who can be called "Bondrewd himself." All personnel working at the Frontline Base, including those wearing Bondrewd's mask, are "Umbra Hands." The Umbra Hand wearing Bondrewd's mask typically assumes his identity. If this individual becomes incapacitated, another Umbra Hand dons the mask and takes on the symbolic role of "Bondrewd," inheriting the memories of the previous wearer through the "Soul-Slave Machine"'s shared consciousness.

The personal names, identities, and egos of the individuals serving as hosts remain intact. When not symbolizing Bondrewd, they are treated as regular team members, sometimes taking leave to return to the surface or remove their masks. However, when the fragmented consciousness of Bondrewd deems it necessary, or when an Umbra Hand assumes the role of "Bondrewd," they lose consciousness and become mere puppets under his control. The White Whistle's ownership is tied to "what used to be Bondrewd," meaning the Umbra Hands can only use the White Whistle when the consciousness of "what used to be Bondrewd" is active within them.

They pursue Riko's group with Bondrewd, but after the facility is severely damaged in the battle, they concede defeat, judging further damage unacceptable. A new Bondrewd, wearing a damaged mask, sees Riko's group off. Nanachi concludes that completely defeating Bondrewd (i.e., killing all Umbra Hands) is practically impossible due to their sheer numbers.

Gallice: A Black Whistle and one of the Umbra Hands, part of the specialized "Shroud" unit. He is a master of fire-based techniques, known as "Ash Gallice." In Deep Layer 3, he encounters Reg and returns the "Boundless Sprawl" that Reg had lost. In the "Joint Great Dive" detailed in "How Are You, Dokoka #04," he serves as the captain of the great expedition combat team under Captain Hablog.

Gueira: A Black Whistle and one of the Umbra Hands. He died during a Kasshogashira attack while pursuing Reg's group after their escape. His name and personality are revealed in Prushka's flashbacks, where he was her primary tutor and the Umbra Hand closest to her. He was always lighthearted and spoke in a casual manner, referring to Bondrewd as "Boss."

Irim: A child with blue hair (pink in the anime) who came to the Frontline Base at Bondrewd's invitation, similar to Nanachi and Mitty. She was called for experiments before Nanachi's group, and Bondrewd's experimental subject registry indicates she is still alive. Initially shown only from behind, more details were later revealed on the cover of Volume 4 and in the anime.

Prushka: Bondrewd's daughter, living in the Frontline Base in Deep Layer 5. She has silver hair and red eyes, with her bangs curling due to the aftermath of the Layer 5 curse. She is well-endowed. Although she calls Bondrewd "Papa," she is actually the daughter of one of the "Umbra Hands." Her name, given by Bondrewd, means "Flower of Dawn."

Having been born and raised in the Abyss, she has never been to the surface. Initially aloof, she reveals her true innocent personality after bonding with Riko's group and expresses a desire to join their journey. She helps Riko's group escape when Bondrewd attempts to restrain them. Before the final confrontation with Reg's group, she is transformed into a Cartridge and dies, shouldering Bondrewd's ascension sickness. Until her last moment, she maintains her affection for Bondrewd, wishing for "reconciliation" between him and Riko's group. She later becomes Riko's "Life-Echoing Stone" (White Whistle), aiding her "Last Dive." Nanachi creates a neck-hanging holder for her, saying, "It's too much for her to be exposed like that..."

Upon entering Deep Layer 6, she is stolen and then processed into a White Whistle by a "stone-skilled Hollow" in the Hollow Village. Although she died as a human, it is later revealed that the White Whistle itself possesses sentient properties, and Prushka (as a thought-form dwelling within the White Whistle) remains in this world, sharing her five senses with Riko. This is not considered unusual by the residents and associates of the Hollow Village, and Prushka is consistently treated as a human in this state.

Meinya: Prushka's pet, a mysterious creature resembling a rabbit-frog hybrid, kept inside her hat. Its body is incredibly soft, including its bones, and it can sense the Curse of the Abyss, making a "meyaa" sound. Given to Prushka by Bondrewd, Meinya became the catalyst for Prushka's recovery from mental collapse due to the Curse. Meinya later joins Riko's group on their journey. Its full name is Meinastirimu (Child of Change).

Ilblu (Hollow Village)

Ilblu is a mysterious village nestled deep within Deep Layer 6, the "Capital of the Unreturned." Tower-like in structure, its interior is home to numerous Hollows who have established a unique society using "value" as currency.

Faputa: A mysterious being resembling a young girl with brown skin, large eyes, four arms, and white fur-covered limbs. She has a verbal tic, ending sentences with "sosu," which she states is a form of respectful speech. Like Nanachi and the Hollow Village residents, she is a "Hollow," but her appearance is remarkably refined compared to other Hollows. She is revered by the villagers as the "Incarnation of Imperishable Value" and the "Princess of the Hollows."

Her name was given by an Interferer she met after leaving the village: "Fau" (precious daughter) and "Apta" (imperishable one), combining to mean "Princess of the Unending." She, in turn, named the Interferer. She is the last child born to Irumyuui. She aims to annihilate the Hollow Village residents and liberate Irumyuui, who transformed into the village, seeking revenge for her many siblings who were devoured. However, unlike the Hollows who cannot leave the village (which is Irumyuui's body), Faputa cannot enter it. She made a promise with pre-amnesiac Reg to help her breach the village gates.

Gaburoon: A gigantic robot that accompanies Faputa. He identifies himself as an "Interferer of the Shōrō Layer," describing himself and Reg as "Interferers who see, touch, and gather knowledge." Other similar "Interferers" apparently existed, but he has lost communication with them. He tasks Reg with gathering information about their creators. Faputa named him, and in return, he received the name "Gaburoon" from her, meaning "Queen's Guardian."

Three Sages: Three individuals who once led the Ganjar exploration team into the Abyss. After Ilblu's birth, they are recognized by residents as the village's founders.

Wazukyan: One of the Three Sages. A Hollow with a red and white painted face and two enormous horns, appearing more like a sculpture than a living creature. This face is an outer shell, concealing a near-human face underneath. He has a very lighthearted demeanor, greeting Riko with a high-five and always saluting other Hollows. He was the leader of the "Ganjar Corps," an exploration team that sought the golden city of the Abyss. He revealed in a speech that the Hollow Village residents were Ganjar Corps members, a collection of individuals who had abandoned or lost their homelands for various reasons. Possessing what was described as divine, precognitive intuition, he guided the team as a prophet.

Upon reaching the golden city and facing the near annihilation of his team by "pseudo-water" disease, he proposed using the egg-shaped Relic "Cradle of Desire" found there. By consuming the creatures Irumyuui continuously birthed, he saved his team. He then used a second egg to transform Irumyuui into their desired homeland, establishing the foundation of the current Hollow Village. He attempted to use a third egg on himself, but it failed, and the egg was recovered by the now-villagified Irumyuui.

Belaf: One of the Three Sages. A Hollow with a mask-like face and a long, dragon-like body. He desired Mitty when Bondrewd brought her to Deep Layer 6, offering to trade for her. When Bondrewd refused, Belaf paid the entire village as compensation to duplicate Mitty's soul. As a result, he permanently lost 724 limbs, 50% of his body length, and some sensory organs.

Within the Ganjar Corps, he was responsible for language translation and deciphering. Although he survived the "pseudo-water" disease, his mind fractured from continuously consuming the creatures birthed by his comrade. He immediately offered himself to the transformed Irumyuui (the Hollow Village), begging for forgiveness, and became a Hollow. In the process, he sacrificed his memories to the village. However, with the village's collapse due to Faputa's attack, he regained his memories and original personality, then allowed Nanachi to consume his memories, freeing Nanachi and Mitty.

Juroimoh: One of the Three Sages. A Hollow of immense size, far surpassing others. He appeared before the Oogashira lured into the village by "Callers" and fought it. However, he was defeated due to the village's cramped space preventing him from fully utilizing his power. Unlike other Hollows who were once human, Juroimoh is a being created by the "village" based on Vueloeluko's memories, effectively serving as a "village terminal."

Vueloeluko (Vueko): A woman confined in a cave called the "Eye of the Abyss" at the edge of the village. She maintains a near-human appearance. Other Hollows experience a strong sense of aversion when approaching her location, so she has lived in isolation with a mysterious creature for a long time. She claims to have been involved in the village's origins and indirectly received information from the village through signals. Riko, searching for Nanachi and Reg, frees her, and Vueloeluko guides Riko to Belaf's location.

In the past, she was a member of the Ganjar Corps, traveling with Wazukyan and Belaf. Before joining, she lived a life where she was kept as a plaything by a man who had protected her (who was also named "Juroimoh"). During these "incidents," the man told her about discovering the Relic "Star Compass" (which Riko also possessed in the future) while exploring a ship. After leaving the man, she met the Ganjar Corps and, feeling a connection to the Star Compass, joined at Wazukyan's suggestion. Upon arriving at the Abyss, she formed a close bond with Irumyuui. However, she rebelled against Irumyuui being used by her comrades and transformed into the Hollow Village. She attempted to commit suicide to stop it but was captured by Wazukyan and imprisoned in the Eye of the Abyss.

Majikaja: An Ilblu resident with a mechanical doll-like appearance. Despite speaking somewhat brokenly, he can communicate in the common tongue used by Riko's group. Contrary to his unusual appearance, he is gentle and kind, guiding Riko's group through the village upon their arrival. He claims his true self is an "odor," and his mechanical body is merely a vessel. He possesses several such "bodies" and switches them according to his needs. He can also inhabit and control the bodies of living creatures, using them as vessels while sleeping.

Maaa: One of the many Hollows Riko's group encounters in the village. Characterized by a cute pink appearance juxtaposed with a realistic backside. He seems to love stuffed animals and initially had many. In their first encounter, he crushed and injured Meinya, incurring Riko's wrath. As compensation, some of his possessions and a part of his body were "liquidated" by the village. He later saves Riko and Meinya from attacking Hollows and is named "Maaa" by Riko after his cry. He is very strong and accompanies her on her exploration.

Moogie: A female Ilblu resident who operates a restaurant. She has a soft-bodied, mollusk-like appearance with tentacle-like hair and legs, and uses the first-person pronoun "wacchi." She speaks fluently and understands the common tongue used by Riko's group. Talkative and caring, she teaches Riko about Ilblu's language and the location of the "Eye of the Abyss." Her past is not explicitly stated, but her ignorance of Vueloeluko in the "Eye of the Abyss" and her comment about "washing ashore in the village" suggest she arrived after Ilblu was formed.

Mepopohon: An Ilblu resident who runs an inn. He is characterized by a pillow-like ornament on his head and perpetually sleepy eyes. "Mepopohon" is a nickname meaning "Dozing One"; his real name is unknown. He has a slithery lover.

Pakkoyan: A female resident characterized by a large single eye. She was once a member of the Ganjar Corps and is the only villager besides the Three Sages depicted both as a human and as a Hollow. During her time with the Ganjar Corps, she often acted with Vueloeluko and they appeared to be close.

Poriyon: A male Ilblu resident who runs a stone processing workshop. He is unparalleled in stone craftsmanship and processed Prushka, who had become a "Life-Echoing Stone," into the correct form of a whistle. His body is integrated with his workshop, preventing him from moving. During the Oogashira attack, after returning the processed Prushka to Riko, he grew to a gigantic size to fight the Oogashira but was overwhelmed and devoured, dying.

Gaume: A male Ilblu resident who sold items in the market. He sold a fragment of Lyza's letter, which was later acquired by Moogie and Majikaja through trade and given to Riko as a farewell gift. His presence in the village from its early days indicates he was a member of the Ganjar Corps.

Emberits: A jellyfish-like Hollow with a cushion-like body and numerous tentacles. He values small creatures crawling on his body and sells surplus animals.

Sabassa: A gourd-shaped Hollow. He values having tubes passed through his body. His presence in the village from its early days indicates he was a member of the Ganjar Corps.

Misukesou: An insect-like Hollow. He values cutting others' bodies.

ShureKaka: Small, winged animal-like Hollows. Multiple of them collectively form a single individual known as "ShureKaka." Their presence in the village from its early days indicates they were members of the Ganjar Corps.

Irumyuui: An indigenous girl hired by the Ganjar Corps as a guide when they reached the Abyss. She has brown skin and silver hair. She suffered from a reproductive disorder and was abandoned by her family. She grew close to Vueloeluko within the team, feeling a maternal bond. However, she contracted the "pseudo-water" disease and was on the verge of death. She was then entrusted with the egg-shaped Relic "Cradle of Desire," which grants wishes, particularly suitable for children. As a result, she gained a body that endlessly birthed short-lived creatures but lost her human form and ability to speak. Her children were taken by Wazukyan and consumed as food before they could die naturally. Afterward, influenced by a second "Cradle of Desire" used by Wazukyan, she also gained the function of the Hollow Village. Using the two "Cradles of Desire" used on her and one Wazukyan possessed, Irumyuui birthed her last child, Faputa, outside the village.

How Are You, Dokoka (Side Story)

This section covers the spin-off work primarily set in Orth. It consists of four chapters, with the first three collected in Volume 6 of the manga.

Mio: A female apothecary who arrived in Orth with a caravan. She exhibits no signs of aging. She confronts a mysterious disease, the "Birthday Curse," that causes young children in Orth to die on their birthdays.

Clavary: A seasoned male Cave Raider, described as a "genius solo diver" by Zapo-ji of the Hideweaver team, implying he is not affiliated with a guild. While emphasizing "greetings are fundamental to human interaction," he uses his own unique, obscure greeting, "Dyahoode." In "How Are You, Dokoka #04," he embarks on a "Last Dive" into the deep layers ahead of the "Joint Great Dive" for a purpose connected to the expedition's objective. He suffers severe injuries in Deep Layer 6 and is later found by Riko's group as a dried corpse, having died while sitting in the same spot.

Tepaste: A petite female Cave Raider who refers to Clavary as her "senior," belonging to "Under Nest." Although she does not wear a whistle in visible areas, she has extremely twisted, curled hair, a common sign of experienced Cave Raiders who have made many deep dives, leading other characters to infer her extensive exploration experience. She is skilled in observing people, discerning Gallice (an Umbra Hand) from his walk even without his mask, and effortlessly incapacitating Yelme when he confronts her. She accompanied Clavary on his "Last Dive" but proceeded ahead after he was injured, confronting Nishagora en route.

Nishagora: A Cave Raider belonging to the "Curse Fleet" (Hailhex). He has a cat-like appearance and a massive physique. He is involved with Clavary's "Last Dive" objective and attempts to capture Tepaste, deeming her a "priestess's pawn."

Manga Volumes

Akihito Tsukushi's *Made in Abyss*, published by Takeshobo under the Bamboo Comics label, has 14 volumes as of August 8, 2025:

1. Released July 31, 2013, ISBN 978-4-8124-8380-0

2. Released June 30, 2014, ISBN 978-4-8124-8716-7

3. Released June 20, 2015, ISBN 978-4-8019-5274-4

4. Released April 30, 2016, ISBN 978-4-8019-5516-5

5. Released December 26, 2016, ISBN 978-4-8019-5720-6

6. Released July 29, 2017, ISBN 978-4-8019-6011-4

7. Released July 27, 2018, ISBN 978-4-8019-6339-9

8. Released May 30, 2019, ISBN 978-4-8019-6627-7

9. Released July 27, 2020, ISBN 978-4-8019-7029-8

10. Released July 29, 2021, ISBN 978-4-8019-7390-9

11. Released July 29, 2022, ISBN 978-4-8019-7802-7

12. Released July 31, 2023, ISBN 978-4-8019-8108-9

13. Released August 30, 2024, ISBN 978-4-8019-8393-9

14. Released August 8, 2025, ISBN 978-4-8019-8710-4

Anthologies

Anthology comics by Takeshobo-affiliated artists and manga creators. As of July 29, 2022, there are five volumes:

*Made in Abyss Official Anthology: Unbelievable Cave Raiders*, released July 29, 2017, ISBN 978-4-8019-6012-1

*Made in Abyss Official Anthology Deep Layer 2: Dangerous Great Pit*, released March 30, 2020, ISBN 978-4-8019-6908-7

*Made in Abyss Official Anthology Deep Layer 3: White Whistles' Melancholy*, released July 27, 2020, ISBN 978-4-8019-7021-2

*Made in Abyss Official Anthology Deep Layer 4: Wonderful Everyday in the Abyss*, released July 29, 2021, ISBN 978-4-8019-7391-6

*Made in Abyss Official Anthology Deep Layer 5: Longing Can't Be Stopped*, released July 29, 2022, ISBN 978-4-8019-7803-4

Foreign Language Editions

A Simplified Chinese official digital edition is published by Buka Manga, China's largest electronic manga platform.

A Traditional Chinese print edition is published by Ching Win Publishing in Taiwan, with 8 volumes released.

An English edition is published by Seven Seas Entertainment, with 8 volumes released.

A Korean edition is published by Daewon C.I. in South Korea, with 8 volumes released.

Related Works

The manga *Pop Team Epic* features Nanachi in one panel of its second season. Nanachi also appeared as a guest in episode 3 of the anime's second season.

The first season of the TV anime aired from July to September 2017 on AT-X and other channels. The second season, *Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun*, aired from July 2022 on AT-X and other networks.

Two compilation films, *Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn* (Part 1) and *Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight* (Part 2), were released on January 4 and January 18, 2019, respectively. A new theatrical film, *Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul*, premiered on January 17, 2020.

The game adaptation, *Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness*, was announced in May 2021 and released on September 1, 2022, by Spike Chunsoft for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam). The game was supervised by original author Akihito Tsukushi.

Game Overview

The game features two distinct modes: "HELLO ABYSS" and "DEEP IN ABYSS." In "HELLO ABYSS" mode, players assume the role of apprentice Cave Raider Riko (Miyu Tomita), following the anime's storyline as she descends into the Abyss. Conversely, "DEEP IN ABYSS" mode allows players to experience an original story as a new Cave Raider (voiced by Akari Kito) aiming for the Abyss's deep layers.

Game Characters

Protagonist - Voice: Akari Kito

Riko - Voice: Miyu Tomita

Reg - Voice: Mariya Ise

Tia - Voice: Ayaka Suwa

Dorothea - Voice: Akane Fujita

Raul - Voice: Natsumi Fujiwara

Game Theme Songs

"Flower Dedicated to Longing": The opening theme performed by Riko (Miyu Tomita), Reg (Mariya Ise), and Nanachi (Shiori Izawa). Lyrics by Ayato Shinozaki, music and arrangement by Ryosuke Tachibana.

"Lamplight": The ending theme performed by Riko Azuna. Lyrics by Zero Tanaka, music and arrangement by MANYO.

Made in Abyss Walking Mystery Game: Return from the Unexplored Abyss Region (Produced by Asobi Factory, January 11 - March 31, 2019): A city-wide mystery game set in Shinjuku.

Made in Abyss Walking Mystery Game: Return from the Unexplored Abyss Region 1.5th Layer (Produced by Asobi Factory, January 17 - February 20, 2020): A re-run of the above event with new bonuses and extra puzzles.