Made in Abyss Season 1, Episode 2 Review

Problems with cave raiding

We quickly learn that there are problems with going deeper into the abyss. A tremendous psychical toll can be a consequence the deeper you travel. When returning to the surface from the first layer you would experience “mild dizziness,” from the second layer you will experience, “nausea, headaches, and numbness of the extremities,” from the fourth, “intense pain throughout the body and bleeding.” When an explorer travels from the sixth layer or beyond, they will apparently result in their lose of “humanity or even death.” This phenomenon is dubbed “the curse of the abyss.”

Who or What is Reg

Based on the curse, Riko and the others conclude that it’s possible that Reg came from the bottom of the abyss. Reg wonders if that’s the case, but what’s his purpose. The check the “Compilation of Recorded Relics,” is a “field guide to the major Relics that have been unearthed.” Reg isn’t found in this book, however, Riko has done some research on Reg, he can function with food or electricity as a fuel source. He possess smooth but hard skin, flame retardant hair, superior sight and hearing, flexible material and apparently he has a normal human penis.

If that wasn’t strange enough it seems that Riko experimented on Reg without his consent. Due to all of the special material that made Reg he’s considered to be incredibly valuable, as a Aubade, “supreme treasure of the netherworld.” This unsurprisingly mean that he is in danger of being taken apart, captured and hidden. To proved him with a cover they give clothing to hid his arms and legs and a false story. Obviously, this is going to be an important plot point in the future. I think Reg will be exposed at some point and maybe Riko and her friends become outlaws at that point.

Learning about the whistles

Cave raiders are into groups, these groups are symbolized by the color of the whistles. The apprentices have red whistles, the proficient blue whistles, assistant-instructor Moon whistles, expert black whistles and the heroes the white whistles. This episode focuses on the white whistle, Liza the Annihilator, she is clear held as an example for the larger society. She’s even depicted as being a dragon and used to sell merchandise. The most important revelation is that Liza is Riko’s mother and much is expected from Riko, her father was a black whistle named Torka.

In this episode the world is expanded, as we learn about more problems with cave exploration. It makes since that robots like Reg would exists in the world with the harsh conditions, however, it seem strange that no one thinks robots exists or that they shouldn’t be created for everyone. Riko becomes a more complex character as her mother’s fame is presented, she will have a lot to live up to. Riko is reckless and is definitely going to get herself in trouble.

Thank you for reading.