May the things not be that bothering?
Summary:
- Made in Abyss is considered to be one of the most disturbing anime series.
- Its darkness comes from graphic depiction of violence.
- If you’re not very sensitive to some topics, you may find Made in Abyss’s cruelty exaggerated.
Made in Abyss is a very regular guest in all the conversations about disturbing anime. The series explores the journey of a young girl named Riko, who lives in a city around the Abyss, a huge hole stretching down into the depths of the earth. This chasm is filled with mysterious and often dangerous creatures and is rich with various artifacts that brave divers are eager to collect. The girl meets a strange boy-looking robot, who has no recollection of his past. Together, they decide to go down the abyss and find the truth about the origins of Reg (the name Riko gives the robot) and solve the mystery of Riko’s missing mother.
What’s so disturbing about this anime?
Made in Abyss is considered to be quite alarming due to its graphic violence and very intense themes. It’s known for being extremely cruel and dark, and some fans even go as far as to say that this is one of the few series that have ever made them truly uncomfortable. Some mention elements of body horror (violations of the human body) that disturbed them so much, and some claim that the show itself wouldn’t be this creepy if not for the fact that horrible things are happening to kids in it. Children are a very sensitive topic to some viewers, so there’s no wonder that seeing them suffer may affect such an audience in a greater way than a regular horror story.
It’s definitely dark, but is it THAT dark, though?
While no one denies that Made in Abyss is quite sinister and frightening, some fans feel puzzled by this treatment of the series. This anime is sure to make it to the top 5 recommended series every time someone asks for a gloomy anime suggestion.
Fans claim that there are anime that may be considered even more messed up. They mention such titles as Tokyo Ghoul, Chainsaw Man, Elfen Lied, Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica). However, it all comes down to the viewer’s perception and what you personally consider dark.
As we’ve mentioned before, the main difference from other series is that Made in Abyss doesn’t shy away from torturing kids, and this is what makes this combination of body horror, violence and emotional torment this daunting. It’s like watching a series and seeing countless severed body parts with a poker face, but the minute a cute puppy gets hurt, you cannot stand it anymore.
If you don’t really care who is the target of violence in a series, you might not understand what’s so terrible about Made in Abyss. But if this topic is sensitive for you, you may find this particular anime a bit too difficult to watch.