The trio have arrived at Ido Front! The depth's sixth layer is almost within reach, but getting there is easier said than done. Before they can continue their journey, they have to get past the Sovereign of Dawn: Bondrewd!
Tsukuji, Akihito (つくし あきひと) is a Japanese mangaka. He has works in Fairy Musketeers (TV) as a character designer, and is the original creator of Made in Abyss, a fantasy and adventure manga.
3.5 rounded down because while I can appreciate frenetic art when something major is happening, a lot of this volume was just messy and difficult to follow. For some reason I also wasn't really that bothered by . While I recognize that what happened to her and many others was super messed up, and it was sad seeing Riko so upset ... I just wasn't that emotionally involved.
Don't get me wrong, this is still a solid series, but I'm glad we've left this layer of the abyss.
I agree with myself. (It's funny, I've been rating first and then looking at my original reviews after [which I don't remember] and going like, yup, yup ... totally agree. lol)
Well, it was an exciting journey (mostly), but this will be the last volume of Made in Abyss I'm reading for the time being. I had my share of fun reading it, the mythology Tsukushi created is solid, so why abandon the series? I wanted to understand my reasons so I made a little list.
▪️ Akihito Tsukushi's lack of understanding of how trauma works, his characters, despite all the pain inflicted upon them don't seem to suffer the consequences of the physical and mental strains they constantly endure. A jarring approach to take on a world so full of violence; ▪️ Recurrent tropes and messed up mannerisms in this series: the sexualized portrait of the characters (comprised mostly of young kids), the predictability of the moral dynamics (the goody who behaves like a baddy and the baddy who is secretly a goody), lots of sacrificial lambs (overly cute and "captivating" characters only introduced to later suffer an abject death with some meaningful purpose, a slightly more sophisticated form of fridging); ▪️ The addition of certain characters at some point of the story worked to unbalance the established knowledge the protagonists had, from the vol. 3 forward they simply happened to know certain things without much explanation (did the new characters told them that? did they always know that?). This seemed to be based on the convenience of the plot and hardly explained (the characters are mostly small children... not really famous for their mysterious behavior and deep knowledge), which was especially marked on volume 5; ▪️ The art fluctuates quite a lot, the third volume for instance had amazing panels and attention to details, ever since unparalleled in any of the following volumes. While there are panels that could be mistaken for rough sketches.
Considering all that I believe I even read too many books of this series, I could've stopped at volume 2. I wonder if the anime is any better.
Nel combattimento ho trovato questo volume più difficile da seguire rispetto al solito. I disegni solitamente sono sempre ben chiari e comprensibili, mentre qui più volte mi sono ritrovata a pensare che non ci stavo capendo nulla 😅 La storia di Prushka 💔 è stata un po’ tosta da un certo punto in poi. Ma sono riuscita a trattenere le lacrime (per poco). Scopriamo come vengono creati i fischietti bianchi. Terribile. Ci si può anche arrivare in realtà, considerando tutta la violenza, gli abusi, i maltrattamenti, le mutilazioni presenti in questa serie, ma leggerlo, vederlo, aaah, fa male (oltre che arrabbiare).
Nach dem vorherigen Band, der durch seine Sexualisierungen teilweise sehr anstrengend zu lesen war, hat mich dieser Band einfach nur emotional zerstört. Ich kannte die brutalen und herzzerreißenden Szenen schon aus dem Anime, aber auch beim Lesen sind sie einfach heftig. Daher für diesen Band wieder 3 Sterne. Hoffentlich geht es so weiter. Mehr Sterne kann ich leider nicht geben, da auch in diesem Band die ProtagonistInnen an einigen Stellen sexualisiert werden, wenn auch wesentlich weniger als im letzten.
"After all, we're gonna go on adventures together."
Damn it all...
I considered leaving my review at just that, but that isn't my style. Even if I've been left shaken to the point that it's hard for me to really articulate my feelings. Most of this volume is good. It continues the change of pace we've seen ever since the party reached the Fifth Layer--and their first real roadblock on their descent. Their confrontation with Bondrewd finally reaches a head, and it is exhilarating, desperate, and oh, so painful to read.
It also highlights one of the few downsides to this volume: namely, some of the panels during the fights can be hard to parse. I love that the art gets rougher as the action ramps up, but while the added kinetic energy is great when it works, some of what we see is zoomed in too close, or otherwise framed in a way that makes the sequences hard to follow. But the rest of the fights are so good, that I can't even dock it any points for having a few panels that fall short.
The other negative is the continuation of the sporadic uncomfortable bits. I mean, all of Made in Abyss is uncomfortable to some extent, but horrible things happening to people you care about is a different type of awkward from kids discussing sexual stuff. You could argue that the frankness and the not-quite-understanding-it is part of them being kids, but it's still kinda squicky.
That might be a deal-breaker for some, and that's understandable. But if you can look past that to the emotional journey that's arguably more painful for them than the physical journey, and to the ever-breathtaking world Tsukushi has constructed here, then I hope you understand why I still gave this five stars. There are gut punches in this series that I think will linger with me forever, and with the team poised to begin a new leg of their...adventure (man, it hurts to type that now), I'm both itching to see what they'll encounter next, and horrified at the unknown trials they'll have to suffer through.
The tired trope of "nice psychopath who beats and violates you to prepare you for the terrors of the real world" really needs to be retired. Immortal ex Machina enemies with spare parts also is a tired and boring trope. All in all there is nothing creative in this installment - just boring rehashes of memes dating to the 1984 "Macross" if not before that.
Made in Abyss already wasn't stellar before this volume and completely jumped the shark just there.
No thanks, I'm not going to read your crap anymore Mr. Tsukushi.
Non vimos aquí a mentir: a trama está TRE MEN DA pero ten un tufillo pdf importante e bastante truculento. Dito esto e, tras ler un fio en reddit donde decían que o tomo 5 era un punto de ou sigues ou deixalo e facer este binge-read só podo decir que se non tivese ese tufillo serían 5 estrelas directas. Tamaña animalada
Reg vs Bondrewd. Il nostro robottino preferito dovrà affrontare il pericoloso Fischietto Bianco con il supporto e la furbizia di Nanachi e Riko al suo fianco. Uno sconto adrenalinico e pieno di sorprese, sentimenti e sacrifici. Il destino di Prushka è molto triste e commuove leggere la sua storia, i flashback a lei dedicati con la sua ingenuità di bambina in cerca di affetto da parte Bondrewd. Una conclusione molto toccante e che risolve molti misteri legati all’Abisso ma allo stesso tempo lascia aperte molte questioni. Sopratutto abbiamo un grande punto di domanda su come proseguirà il viaggio dei nostri eroi anche se la decisione di Riko mi è molto piaciuta e mi ha commosso.
The actions scenes were pretty dope and I did like seeing Bondrewd taken down. As intense as this volume was, though, I'm not liking how woefully dark and depressing this series is. I know this is not supposed a series filled with sunshine and rainbows, but the constant "evil people doing despicable things to children" thing is getting old fast. And no, the revelation at the white whistles (the actual whistles) are made out of people didn't shock me because after all the gore, dismemberment, and child abuse I've seen so far, why would it?
*sigh* I was really hoping that i'd enjoy this series as much as others, but that's definitely not happening at this point. Whatevs, onto volume 6.
This is not an easy read. It's messed up, gross, and heartbreaking. Why do I continue with it despite it all? Because it's real. In fact, reality could be far worse than what happens to these fictional characters. I know this cruelty and it still shocks me. I know how easy it is for some powerful people to overlook humanity and loose their sense of morality, and it still breaks my heart. This is not a happy journey towards magical wonders, this is a one-way journey through hell. I won't stop here. (Beware of the toll this series could have on your mental health, and take care. I'll read the next volumes with a slower pace.)
story-wise, this volume didn't capture my attention as much as the previous ones. this one is mostly action, which isn't bad, just didn't further the story during it. there was still some very odd moments (especially one with Reg during the fight that was completely unnecessary) but it, admittedly, wasn't the worst i've seen from this series so far. and i expect much worse based on some of the covers of the next ones... 3-stars for lack of story and for odd placements as per usual with this author, but also for prushka my beloved
Con este manga me va a dar un ataque al corazón. A pesar que en un primer momento no me acabó de gustar la historia, ahora a cada volumen que pasa estoy más enganchado y lo paso peor con el destino de los personajes.
Best one so far. The action was on another level this volume, it also hits you hard with a massive gut punch at the end. Characters don’t die, they simply just become one with the abyss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After bitten Bondrewd. Nanachi join Riko and Reg and they finally arrived in the 6th layer of abyss that nobody except the white whistle delver can return. I think story went so fast for me..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If you thought things with Bondrewd were on pause after V.4's climactic finish, buckle up.
This volume kicks the action into overdrive as Riko and the gang decide to go on the offensive rather than live in the shadow of the Sovereign of Dawn. But will they even be able to lay a finger on Bondrewd after failing to take him down once already?
This book is a volume-length battle. No joke, from start to finish the kids are fighting for their lives against Bondrewd. It's also quite possibly the darkest moment in the story as the trio infiltrates Ido Front and see the inner workings of Bondrewd's operation. If there was any doubt in anyone's mind at this point that MiA is not a book for younger audiences, this volume is the gore and tears-soaked bath to dispel it.
Tsukushi's art is in peak form here. After V.4's murkiness it's almost incredible to see Tsukushi pull off so many kinetic, detailed set-pieces one after another. Bondrewd in particular tends to steal the spotlight with his iconic look. Especially when shit gets real and he wields the full extent of his powers.
Where this volume is a bit odd is some of the rationale behind Bondrewd's treatment of those close to him, as depicted in an extended flashback sequence in the second half of the volume. While it's easy to explain most of the cruel things he does as being part of his inhuman drive for knowledge, I wasn't quite sure what to make of Tsukushi spending so much time focusing on his being kind to Prushka. I won't spoil why here, but it's definitely odd. Even by MiA standards.
In sum, despite being almost entirely devoted to a crazy battle, Volume 5 of Made in Abyss is riveting and emotionally gratifying. It doesn't lose sight of its heart and mind amidst the thrill of the fight. Can't wait for volume 6!
Considering I'd watched the anime before reading the manga, somewhere at the midpoint of the whole Idofront arc I had thought that perhaps the pacing was a bit fast. Prushka's story felt especially lacking but her story was told a little bit later in a bunch of "flashbacks" (if I can even call it that) and it genuinely felt very complete. I knew what was to come and I remember crying when I watched the anime but I was still deeply moved by Prushka's story and eventual sacrifice.
Bondrewd may be one of my favourite antagonists of all time. He seems genuinely evil, insane, yet all with a certain scientific fascination and distance, like a mad scientist. I wouldn't say that he isn't one, yet in the end it turns out that everything he did had a purpose and was working toward the common goal of helping the little rag-tag band of adventurers continue, not hindering them. His mind(s) works in complicated ways yet his emotions and intents are very simple: all for scientific advance. Yes, he experiments on children, but there is also no experiment he performs that he also doesn't try out on himself. His actions are inexcusable and as such is a personification of how the Abyss changes people who dwell in it for too long. All in all a fantastically written antagonist.
Also, special shoutout for berserk Reg. Absolutely amazing and insane. I have no words to describe how much I love that scene.
Now that I've caught up with where the anime has left off, I can't wait to see what the rest of this horrifying journey has in store!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Olvidar el Abismo sin duda alguna es un grave pecado que merece ser purgado.
El quinto tomo finaliza el arco de Bondrewd y Prushka, introduciendo detalles importantes de su origen y su relación con Rika.
Es una lástima que en estos dos últimos tomos se abandone -ligeramente- la parte más interesante -el Abismo y su viaje- de esta obra para centrarse en el conflicto con Bondrewd, el cual pierde su misticismo para convertirse en un mero villano de opereta. Quizás eso explique la conclusión con un Deus Ex Machina de manual.
La parte positiva de finalizar este arco es que nuestros protagonistas pueden continuar su viaje, a pesar de su elevado coste.
La negativa es que el arco se ha sentido forzado, con demasiada acción, pocas respuestas y un ritmo acelerado que no ha permitido desarrollar bien los personajes.
Coincido con las críticas recibidas sobre el trazo hecho con acuarela, ya que en ocasiones hace confusa la lectura y cuesta entender lo que está ocurriendo, sobretodo en las escenas de acción.
Quiero y deseo conocer más del Abismo, de sus peligros y sus misterios. Cierto es que el anime permite seguir con mayor fluidez las escenas de acción que en el manga flojean.
Es una pena que estos dos últimos hayan bajado el listón porque los tres primeros son más que notables.
De momento servidor se adentrará al menos una capa más, espero que las consecuencias no se conviertan en el final del viaje.
П’ятий том «Зроблено в Безодні» можна описати, як складний і водночас показовий етап історії, де Акіхіто Цукуші доводить власне бачення світу до майже граничного стану. На новому рівні Безодні Ріко, Реґ і Наначі стикаються не лише з фізичною небезпекою, а й із моральними виборами, які залишають помітний слід у читача. Глибше знайомство з Прушкою додає оповіді тихої, майже оманливої теплоти, що з часом переростає у відчуття неминучої тривоги.
Том справляє сильне емоційне враження, особливо в другій половині, де розкривається походження білих свистків і справжня ціна спуску в Безодню. Ці сцени важко назвати несподіваними, але від цього вони не стають менш болісними. Цукуші не намагається пом’якшити жорстокість світу. Навпаки, він змушує дивитися на неї прямо, що водночас і захоплює, і відштовхує.
Водночас п’ятий том не позбавлений недоліків. У динамічних сценах малюнок подекуди стає перевантаженим, через що важко одразу зрозуміти, що саме відбувається. Також помітно, що деякі сюжетні знання герої отримують ніби «між рядків», без чіткого пояснення. Це трохи збиває ритм і створює відчуття поспіху.
Попри це, «Зроблено в Безодні» залишається сильною й самобутньою серією. П’ятий том є не найкомфортнішим для читання, але саме він чітко показує, якою ціною дається шлях униз. І знову ж, це історія, яка не прагне подобатися всім, зате надовго лишається в пам’яті.
Esta serie se vuelve cada vez más confusa. Me molesta mucho que el arte sea blanco y negro cuando al ser acuarela claramente se hizo a colores. Es mu difícil distinguir los personajes y las acciones, la mayoría de las veces sólo parecen manchas. La historia se está volviendo más compleja pero al final entendí que había sucedido con Prushka y Bondrewd el señor del amanecer. Creo que la historia se está desarrollando muy rápido, vamos en el quinto tomo y ya nos estamos acercando al final del abismo además que en la edición japonesa van apenas en el octavo, estamos a cuatro meses de alcanzar la publicación original en M��xico. Los personajes los desarrollan muy lentamente. Riko es la protagonista y es la que más evolución tiene, también es importante el hecho de que la aventura realmente surge por ella y tiene connotación personal. Reg en cambio no está casi nada desarrollado. Por una parte es porque no recuerda nada, pero eso se está haciendo un poco repetitivo. Aunque la historia del descenso se está desenvolviendo muy rápido, el origen de Reg no tanto y seguimos sabiendo lo mismo aunque vamos en el quinto tomo. Creo que voy a empezar a ver el animé porque ya me cansé de no entender que está sucediendo con los personajes.
This volume got to me. Just like in the anime, it's quite disturbing with the lengths that the Umbra Hands have gone in their research for their master. The cartridges are easily one of the roughest things in all the stuff that has happened up to this point, and ooofff, yeah. We also get to see how white whistles are made, which isn't much better to be honest. That said, it all fits within the storytelling of the Abyss and everything that happens in it. The world building continues to be amazing. There are a lot of things that tie into one another, and an overall feel for the Abyss comes together a lot in this volume. Personally, as disturbing as this one is, it really develops the characters and I enjoyed that aspect. You get to see them pushed to their limits and what they can do. Plus it also adds in some mysteries as well. It made me excited to see what happens after this volume and where they can go from here. Also makes me interested in what the other white whistles are going to be like. In the end, there was quite a lot in this volume and it was worth the build up. I can see why they made it a movie or the anime.