It starts with a hole. A massive, gaping pit in the middle of the ocean that defies every law of physics and biology we pretend to understand. Akihito Tsukushi didn't just write a story when he started the Made in the Abyss manga; he basically crafted a psychological endurance test wrapped in the most deceptive "cute" art style you'll ever encounter.
If you've seen the covers, you might think it’s a whimsical adventure.
You’d be wrong.
Dead wrong.
Honestly, the juxtaposition is what gets most people. You have these round-faced, big-eyed kids—Riko and her robot companion Reg—descending into a chasm that literally eats human souls. It’s brutal. The Made in the Abyss manga operates on a level of "body horror meets philosophical dread" that most seinen titles can only dream of.
The Curse of the Abyss is Not Just a Plot Device
Most fantasy stories have a "magic system." In the Abyss, the system is just physics trying to kill you. The "Curse" is the primary mechanic. If you go down, you’re fine. If you try to come back up? That's where things get messy.
In the upper layers, it’s just nausea. Think of a bad hangover or vertigo. But as Riko and Reg go deeper, the price of ascent becomes horrific. We’re talking bleeding from every orifice, loss of humanity, and eventually, certain death. This creates a terrifying narrative stakes: every step down is essentially a one-way trip. There is no "going back to town" to restock.
The mangaka, Tsukushi, uses this to force a relentless forward momentum. You can't retreat. You can only go deeper into the mouth of the beast. It’s a claustrophobic masterpiece.
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Why the Art Style is Actually a Trap
Let’s talk about the aesthetic for a second. Tsukushi’s backgrounds are some of the most detailed in the industry. The flora and fauna of the Abyss feel lived-in. They feel evolved. You can see the influence of biological sketches and real-world deep-sea ecology.
But then there are the characters.
They look like they belong in a Studio Ghibli film from the 80s. This isn't an accident. By making the characters look vulnerable and soft, the impact of the violence—when it inevitably happens—is magnified by a thousand. When Riko suffers a legitimate medical emergency in the fourth volume, the detail is clinical. It’s harrowing. It feels real because the art doesn't shy away from the fragility of a child's body in a world of monsters.
Nanachi and the Moral Rot of Orth
Orth is the town at the top. On the surface, it’s a bustling hub for "Cave Raiders." In reality, it’s a society built on the exploitation of orphans. The Made in the Abyss manga doesn't just critique the monsters in the pit; it critiques the culture that sends children into it.
Bondrewd, the Sovereign of Dawn, is perhaps one of the most chilling antagonists in manga history. Why? Because he isn't "evil" in the mustache-twirling sense. He’s a scientist. He loves the children he experiments on, in his own twisted way. He remembers their names. He values their contribution to "science."
That’s way scarier than a demon king.
When we meet Nanachi, a "Hollow" who survived Bondrewd’s experiments, the manga shifts from a simple adventure into a meditation on what it means to be human. Nanachi’s fur and rabbit-like appearance are the result of the Curse, but their trauma is purely human. The relationship between Nanachi and Mitty is the emotional core that usually hooks readers who were on the fence. It’s a story about mercy. It’s about the fact that sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is let someone go.
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The Sixth Layer and the "Village of Hollows"
If you thought the early volumes were intense, the Ilblu arc (the Village of Hollows) takes it to a whole new level of complexity. This is where the Made in the Abyss manga demands your full attention. The internal logic of the village—based on "Value"—is a fascinating look at social contracts and the literal weight of desire.
It gets weird. Really weird.
The origins of the village involve Faputa, the "Princess of the Hollows," and a backstory involving the Ganja suicide squad from centuries ago. It’s a grim tale of survival that involves choices no human should ever have to make. Tsukushi explores the idea that to survive the Abyss, you have to give up your form, your memories, and sometimes your very soul.
Is It Too Dark? Addressing the Controversy
It’s no secret that the Made in the Abyss manga is controversial. Some critics point to the "fetishistic" undertones of the character designs or the extreme nature of the gore involving minors. It’s a valid conversation. The manga definitely walks a razor-thin line between "grimdark masterpiece" and "unnecessarily cruel."
However, fans argue that the cruelty is the point. The Abyss isn't a playground. It’s a cosmic anomaly. If the world didn't feel dangerous and occasionally repulsive, the bond between Riko, Reg, and Nanachi wouldn't feel so vital. Their love for each other is the only light in a place that is literally designed to extinguish it.
Reading the Manga vs. Watching the Anime
Kevin Penkin’s soundtrack for the anime is legendary. It’s ethereal. It’s haunting. But the manga has something the anime can't quite capture: the raw, scratchy texture of Tsukushi’s linework.
There’s a specific "dirtiness" to the manga's ink that makes the world feel ancient. The anime is beautiful and vibrant, but the manga feels like a forbidden manuscript you found in a dusty basement. If you’ve only watched the show, you’re missing out on the intricate panel layouts that emphasize the scale of the vertical world.
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How to Approach the Story Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re diving into the Made in the Abyss manga for the first time, don't rush. The release schedule is notoriously slow—sometimes only a few chapters a year—because the art is so dense.
- Check your stomach. If you’re sensitive to body horror or seeing children in peril, this might not be for you. It’s okay to tap out.
- Watch the margins. Tsukushi hides a lot of world-building in the side notes and the "raider logs" between chapters.
- Pay attention to the relics. Every item Reg uses or Riko finds has a grade (Special Grade, First Grade, etc.). This isn't just RPG flavor; it tells you about the civilization that lived in the Abyss before.
- Read the Ilblu arc twice. The "Value" system and the timeline of the Ganja squad can be confusing on a first pass.
The Abyss is a mystery that doesn't want to be solved. As of 2026, we still don't know what’s at the bottom. We don't know who "The Girl" is or what the 2000-year cycle truly signifies. But that’s the draw. Like Riko, we are compelled to keep going, even though we know it probably won't end well.
The Made in the Abyss manga is a journey into the darkest parts of the human psyche, disguised as a journey into a hole in the ground. It’s beautiful, it’s horrifying, and it’s unlike anything else on the shelf.
Final Steps for the Aspiring Delver
If you're ready to start, begin with Volume 1, but know that the tone shifts significantly around Volume 3. You can find the physical volumes published by Seven Seas Entertainment in English. For the most current chapters, keep an eye on digital platforms, but be prepared for the wait. The Abyss doesn't give up its secrets quickly.
Study the maps provided in the front of the volumes. Understanding the depth—measured in meters—really puts the characters' isolation into perspective. Once they cross the "Point of No Return" at the Fifth Layer, the story stops being about "if" they survive and starts being about "what" they will become.
Prepare yourself emotionally. This isn't just a reading experience; it's an ordeal. But for those who can stomach the descent, it's one of the most rewarding narratives in modern fiction.