12 Fascinating Made in Abyss Facts You Might Not Know (and 5 Corrections)

Made in Abyss is the perfect mix of charming adventure and Lovecraftian horror, and with my previous videos containing a few mix ups (and more than a few outright cock ups) I thought that this would be a good opportunity to share a handful of interesting things I've learned, both from my viewers and various transcripts and translations of interviews with the author.
Yes, I am aware I made at least 1 mistake in my corrections video. See if you can spot it.
I do not own the rights to any materials contained within this video, including the trains. If this (or any other) footage belongs to you, and you are unhappy with my usage of said footage, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'm certain we can make a plan together.
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[@PompadourSamurai]

I noticed the second time through that Nanachi was called smelly by one kid, and then after she transforms she smells nice. Little details like this are why I love MIA.

[@Road_to_Dawn]

I hadn’t thought about that! That’s a nice touch there

[@SymmbolZS]

that'll be solved in season 2 spoiler... When you turn into a "Blessed Hollow" your form will resonate with whatever your desire is. in Nanachi's case was to be nice smelling and cute because of her past

[@alangator4744]

From what I understood by reading the manga and watching the movie, it’s not that Meinya makes you resistant to the curse of ascendance after you sniff it, but actually makes you “see” the world with different senses. What I got from all of this is that the 5th layer’s curse disables smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste, so as a living being, if you don’t have these senses, you’re not affected by the curse. I may be mistaken but I think this is a way cooler explanation to Meinya’s immunity Also I’d love to see you play the MIA game when it releases

[@frightranker]

Oh...that's actually a very interesting way to interpret it.

[@SymmbolZS]

another thing about Bondrewd - He never lies - Will always keep his promise - When possible, will sacrifice himself first before the next best thing.

[@Brecondo]

I wonder if the curse an intentional allegory for decompression sickness.

[@frightranker]

That was literally my first thought reading this! 'What if the curse is just the Bends?', which would explain the hemorrhaging and hallucinations. I think that it might well have been inspired by it, initially.

[@Brecondo]

@@frightranker Especially at the 5th layer where you become totally disorientated.

[@theshazerin]

Thanks so much for spoiling us with so much Made in Abyss content! I really enjoy the background train footage, it's like a visual metaphor of you taking us on a journey through storytelling :)

[@frightranker]

I really enjoy it too, but sadly it's not my content meaning that, if I do want to monetize eventually, I have to stop using it. We're a good ways off from that day though, so there should be plenty more for you to enjoy until then.

[@theshazerin]

@@frightranker Haha I see, okay no worries man. I definitely will look forward to your future videos! Also please do a Let's Play for the Made in Abyss game! I hope you do!! 😭🙏

[@frightranker]

We'll...see. I've got something planned for the game, but we'll see if it materializes.

[@danielsaltvick]

A made in abyss mmorpg would be an amazing game. Something like the mincraft version (mine in abyss) where the player is tasked with going into the abyss to find collectible and valuable artifacts to sell for money to buy equipment to make descending/ascending more accessible.

[@frightranker]

It would be interesting, for sure.

[@vala759]

Exactly what you describe actually exist now, it's called Made in Abyss: Binary stars falling into darkness

[@queenleo1805]

Ok so I have a theory that reg is Lyza. So Lyza made it to the 7th layer and she eventually came face to face with one of the beings that look like reg. Something happened to where she needed to warn Rico or something. Anyway she ended up being combined with the being thus making reg. That's why he said when he was electrocuted he said he felt like he had multiple people in him(Lyza and the being that looks like reg). He also uses the same words as Lyza. I could be completely wrong but that's what I believe.

[@pootispaghetti]

Loved the video! Some thoughts: 1) The Nanachi situation is a weird mess. Nanachi isn't the only one that's referred to with gender-neutral terms, pretty much all the Narehate besides Mitty and some of the blobs are too. It's less of a nonbinary thing and more that the Narehate are so far removed from what made them human so their past identities are lost, it just translates a little weirdly. The community argues about it for a lot of reasons, but the main toxicity is due to a some people using pretty homophobic or transphobic reasons for calling Nanachi a girl. I'm glad that most people on the girl Nanachi train are pretty chill but like any community there's some gross people. 2) A more fun fact, Bondrewd's tail-relic is called Third Works and actually appears in chapter 4. There it's shown as a skeletal hand but it essentially just acts as an extra limb. It's unclear if Blessed Bondrewd has his own tail that's just growing through where Thirds Works is or if the Abyss considers the relic to be a part of Bondrewd and is transforming the relic itself, either is possible. 3) The group negotiating with Bondrewd after their encounter definitely makes sense with where everyone is mentally after everything's over. Bondrewd doesn't have any personal investment in the fight after completing Prushka and only became more active after realizing how dangerous Reg was; Reg's main purpose is the group shield so as long as Riko and Nanachi are safe he doesn't have a reason to fight, especially now that his arm is back; Riko wants to follow Prushka's wish to forgive Bondrewd and stop fighting; and Nanachi has come to terms with their situation. In their final chat with Bondrewd they realize that fighting to the death for revenge isn't worth it and that they should deal with their trauma in a more productive way. 4) Tsukushi confirmed that Bondrewd's eye relic actually isn't how he's looking through Nanachi's eyes. How he does it is still unknown. 5) The name situation is kinda weird with this series since the names rarely translate one to one, like with Bondrewd's actual name being closer to "Bondold". The only name meaning that's been confirmed is Reg just being a dog name. 6) I'm so excited for the game, I really hope they can capture the surreal-ness of the Abyss. Also it looks like gun-relic might be making its way into canon? Hopefully. 7) About Bondrewd feeling love but still mutilating the children regardless, this can also be seen with his other traits. Tsukushi said that he does feel normal human things like hunger/tiredness/horniness/etc but he doesn't let it affect him. The best in series example of that is the type-4 ration he made, something that has all of the needed nutrition but tastes like a wall. Looking forward to part 4 so I can pester you in the comments some more lmao

[@frightranker]

Nah, it's good. I'm one of those people who craves information - when I was living in Japan, I got the staffroom nickname of 'Emperor Of Useless Trivia' - I forget the Japanese term. And yes, Layer 6 is going to confuse the pants off me. 1. Yes...but the Japanese fandom definitely refers to her as female for the most part, and Tsukushi has referred to her by female pronouns in some interviews, assuming the translation is correct. I'd have to dig up a discussion, but the pronouns used in Japanese are more of a 'generic' almost 'bumpkin-ish' sounding term than any sort of specifically gender neutral language, from my understanding. But yes, some people are going to use it as an excuse to poke the bear. 2. Yes, that was the mistake I mentioned in the comments. Literally only picked it up today when doing my final watch and I was like 'dammit'. Freudian slip, as my brain was saying 'it's like a third arm'. 4. Huh. 5. That's interesting. 6. Yeah, got something planned for that :)

[@frightranker]

Also - I missed the perfect chance to say 'non-bunnery'.

[@FirefoxisredExplorerisblueGoog]

In a way, Bondrewd's relationship to the children is much like that of a farmer's to his livestock. With one key difference though: Humans are predators and it's in their nature to kill and eat animals (and make things with their remains). I can't call what Bondrewd is doing "human nature", but maybe Bondrewd wants to get out of the Abyss because this 2000 year thingie is going to end up killing him otherwise?

[@frightranker]

He's...an interesting character. Much like Wazukyan, his motives are so murky that it's hard to get a bead on him.

[@Raiethstar]

That what I thought too. He does truly love those children. Much like one loves lab mice. They are cute and are going to help you save people. It would have been better if we saw some of his discoveries earlier. The antidote to make the second layer curse easier to bear should have been tied to him directly. It should be more obvious that his experiments aren’t completely selfish.

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

Okay, so: 1) The Nanachi scent one is fascinating to me, although yes, quite creepy lol. 2) Yes! I wanna see you play the MIA game! Good idea :D 3) Thank you for the shout out, although you didn't have to! I haven't done anything to warrant it, I just

[@frightranker]

Nah, you've been a downright good bloke and have really helped me with motivation recently. You deserved it.

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

@@frightranker Ah, no worries at all, man :D That means a lot, thanks, brother

[@TheDonLemonSnickety]

You should do voiceover work. You would make both an awesome mad villain a la Bodrewd or even an interesting young science-y protag. Either way, super unique voice. Implies about equal parts, sinister, playful and intelligent.

[@frightranker]

Thanks dude! Yeah, Mrs. Owl has said it before...but the thing is, I'm an *awful* recorder. What you're hearing is the post production - after I've trimmed an hour of me stammering, stuttering and mush-mouthing my way through a script down to 15 minutes of okay bits.

[@SevenFromTheSins]

@@frightranker keep working bro. You get no where day one. Rarely.

[@McSenkel]

Regarding Bondrewd's hollow form. I think he just found having a taol usefull, and thus he grew it in his 'perfected' form, destroying the relic completely.

[@Zerz0]

Honestly, your voice is hella smooth and calming. Asmr channel when

[@frightranker]

Haha, weirdly I've been told that before. Feel free to listen and vibe out if you enjoy the ASMR - it's less my voice, and more the fact that I'm quite sibilant and the terrible mic I'm on lends itself to a vaguely staticky sound.

[@acc4670]

Hope you keep making Made in Abyss videos ❤

[@frightranker]

Just wait until next week Friday - something big Made in Abyss related coming.

[@acc4670]

​@@frightranker oh snap, say less *instant subscribe*

[@andrescalderonsanchez6515]

Yes we would like to see you play

[@frightranker]

Likely going to, unless the game is awful. Just need to work out whether I'm going to do a Civvie 11 style video, or do it live (literally never tried that before).

[@Colutti115]

....I think I just didn't knew about Reg being able to adjust incinerator to just hit inorganic(?)........, BUT, aside what Bondrewd said.......HIS TAIL TIP WAS GONE.........after de blast. . . . 🧐

[@frightranker]

Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I think this is just a minor inconsistency in the story. Keep in mind that the tail is not organic - it's a relic. What doesn't make sense is that the tail regenerated.

[@jankieek8218]

@@frightranker Reg cut the tip of the tail off earlier in the fight so incinerator did not destroy even a part of it, the relict tail seems to be at least partially organic as it is stated to be an "extension" of a relic/be a relic that after being connected to the user becomes a part of the users body and even users blood flows through it.

[@Nazrinthetinyclevercommander]

Nice video also you should definitely make a video playing the game when it releases

[@andreasjensen6617]

Agreed

[@Zero_The_Crow]

I presumed Bondrewd's tail was likely an organic item that was then just armored. As for his eye's, I presumed it was a by product of the Zoaholic. However when you mention his link to Nanachi this makes me wonder if she's somehow connected to the Zoaholic.

[@frightranker]

It's certainly an interesting thing to consider, but - as we're now on the final arc, I don't think we'll ever get an explanation.

[@Linkin-2603]

I think with the tail, you could make the retcon work, so the tail he had before being a narehate, but when he became one, he gained a tail, one thing that’s made clear in Iruburu is that your narehate form is based on your desires or what you value For example Nanachi was an outcast so her form was probably conjured from her desire to be liked by people Bondrewd’s ideal body would be one that would be great for delving the abyss Ultimately I think it comes to down desire or “Value” if Nanachi’s and Bondrewd’s hollow form, are similar to the hollows from Iruburu

[@jankieek8218]

@@Linkin-2603 The tail was said to be an "extension" of a relic that becomes part of the users body when attached so the blessing would consider it a part of bondrewd and thus change it too.

[@michajastrzebski4383]

...Nanachi perfume is definetly on the creepy side, lol

[@the_rabbitt]

I understand it as meinya can see the curse like other creatures of the abyss and by following its smell you follow the safe path through it and aren't effected as nanachi explained to reg with the fogweave.

[@jackirish9022]

Like made in Abyss it is both cute and creepy

[@GonFreecssTF2]

I thought, that dangerous umbra hand died, since his VA was the same(and he looked the same) with the umbra hand who pushed reg to the cliff down when reg made the huge hole?

[@frightranker]

That was one of Wazukyan's 'utility' bodies. The very powerful umbra hand was still up above dealing with the Deceptors.

[@curbyandre]

​@@frightranker Do you mean Bondrewd instead of Wazukyan?

[@frightranker]

@@curbyandre Yup.

[@spork861]

They talk to bondrewd and make a truce? Since when? They just stare at him from a distance and they just both don't make any signs of hostility, so they go "ok he's just watching". What implied them talking and getting supplies?

[@frightranker]

Tsukushi explained it in an interview. There is a brief timeskip in the manga that's...never actually spelled out.

[@spork861]

@@frightranker I need to re-read that segment of the manga, because in my memory they beat him, it skips to them being down at the transport pod, and THEN noticing that he's watching them and being shocked/surprised to see him there. Even with Reg getting slightly in defensive/getting ready for a fight mental state, just for Nanachi to say that he can calm down because Bondrewd isn't here to fight. Then they leave. The actions of the characters implies that they had to re-gather their belongings after the chaos, then spend some time traveling down the building, and then walking to the ritual site. In that timeframe Bondrewd switched to another body, got his men, and walked to that door to see them off. If there is indeed any kind of in between time where they interact then none of the characters show this and nothing implies it besides this apparent interview. No offense but I personally say this is a case of the author forgetting what he actually showed VS what he thinks he showed. Also none of the equipment they carry on implies that they got anything from Bondrewd. The ration bars Riko just took while she had a chance.

[@frightranker]

*Shrug*. Who knows? Apparently it was quite a long stay too. I forget the question, but (if I remember) this was Tsukushi explaining why something happened.

[@ghostcreeper3679]

Hello! I love your made in abyss videos as you are one of the few who actually takes them a bit seriously. However i was wondering if the game is already out or ot is yet to be released, thanks for your time.

[@frightranker]

Game is out, I already have a bunch of videos on it XD

[@the_rabbitt]

If you put the video at 1.5 he speaks in a normal cadence. 😂 No hate, i love the video.

[@frightranker]

Hahaha this is an old video, I've improved this a lot.

[@RealLifeIronMan]

I'm confused by your first correction. You say Bondrewd's helmet doesn't control his Umber Hands. Then you say you previously thought he resurrects via one of his minions putting on his helm and his consciousness overwriting theirs? I honestly can't tell if you are stating that is correct or false. What are you saying? If he does over write a minions consciousness wouldn't that count as mind control? If he doesn't over write their consciousness does that mean Bondrewd is truly dead?

[@frightranker]

Ah, I see the confusion. In my original Made in Abyss video, I assumed that the helmet was what he was using to control his minions, which was incorrect - the helmet is really just to show Prushka which body he's in now. The transfer/control is being done via another relic.

[@RealLifeIronMan]

@@frightranker okay that makes sense

[@A6by]

I'm always surprised that everyone else guesses female when they first see Nanachi. I had no idea, and then googled it and found out that this was intentional. So, even ignoring the very cool opportunity for interpreting them as non-binary if one so chooses, people using "she" just always seems so weird to me. Like, they're right there, being very androgynous, y'know?

[@Colutti115]

...of course the mask has nothing to do.......Zoaholic is what he uses to "multiply" consciousness and every Umbra is a 'version' of him even when he is not in control of them(‽)...

[@frightranker]

It's...a bit more complicated than that. Umbra Hands are people, sometimes augmented with relics. They have their own minds and will, but Bondrewd can set them to 'auto' mode, or take them over when he needs.

[@whome9842]

@@frightranker Also he can't control them across layers.

[@shannontruitt8667]

6:40

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

Woohoo!

[@Casandraelf]

my headcanon about nanachi is that they're nonbinary(or non-bun-nary, if you'll forgive the dad joke) but dfab(designated female at birth). the hollows found in iruburu are...well, who the fuck knows, really? maybe it really is a case of 'i'm so not-human i can't remember what i had in whatever i used to wear on my lower body anymore so who cares?' and they just go by they/them due to that reason. also, is faputa even a hollow or is she something else? like...a hollow/relic/human hybrid?

[@frightranker]

Hollows are...who knows? But Faputa is a combination of Iruburu and the Cradles. She's a unique existence. She's also emphatically female, but...has a cloaca.

[@alvarogallegojimenez9140]

It's not that Reg can "adjust the incinerator to not damage organic matter". There's no evidence or proof of it in the manga. The simplest explanation is that it obviously didn't target Nanachi at all. He shot a wide blast from his arm, creating huge explosion, but since the blast comes out of his hand, both Reg and Nanachi (who was on his back) where not inside a blast radius, but in the periphery, and therefore out of harm's way.

[@frightranker]

In the manga - no. Most of this stuff was found in actual interviews with Tsukushi, where he clarified things like this.

[@jankieek8218]

Manga does have a statment that alludes to Reg being able to adjust the incinerator, it's Bondrewd saying that "Reg choose to have things this way" when Reg was confused that Bondrewd was not damaged by the incinerator. (chapter 36 page 5)

[@Vision-lz4ru]

Nah Nanachi is 100% a girl. Or at least is a biological female

[@CrakShak]

great video, but your ridiculously slow

[@frightranker]

Yeah, I've tried to speed up - this is a very early video of mine.

[@ConvincingPeople]

Regarding Nanachi, there's a lot to be said about the subtle ways that Tsukushi plays around with weird gender stuff, and I like that a lot of it is never really spelled out. Specifically, I think it plays into the themes of liminality that run through the series, how bodies are very intimately tied to who and what we are but bodies and selves aren't really the same thing and prodding constantly at where that line is. Even where it's played in a jokier way (whatever our tiny maid friend Marulk's deal is), it all feels like it's playing into this underlying theme of bodies and selves in transitory states: Ozen transformed into a giant by her relics, Bondrewd's compulsive body-hopping, the completely alien nature of many of the Hollows, the doubling of Mitty in Iruburu, Reg forever trapped as a nigh-indestructible and immortal adolescent, Vueko suspended in time by Irumyuui's wish, Prushka still present in physical death in dreams and in stone, Riko raised from the dead as a stillborn infant-it's a constant drumbeat throughout the series, or perhaps a heartbeat. I've actually been collating my thoughts into an essay on this series so I hope you don't mind if I get a bit wordy. :P

[@whome9842]

He also specifically says that Nanachi did had a gender but currently it is unknown. I think the implication is that the a character gender could be changed easily by the abyss effects just like their overall shape, color and smell.

[@Colutti115]

......rage against my hairline...... 🤭

[@吉本レイモンド]

wow i didin know western fandom think Nanachi is non binary…

[@jasonfurumetarualkemisto5917]

By the way, later on you see the face of the dangerous Umbra-hand. Pretty Dapper fella.

[@frightranker]

Huh. Do you have a chapter reference? I must have missed that.

[@jasonfurumetarualkemisto5917]

@@frightranker In chapter 63 page 10 a delver (named Cravali) and his girlfriend are looking at him. He's apparently called Ashen Gyarike by the other delvers, he's got a single curly bang on his hair (probably the same phenomenon Ozen and Prushka got from the curse)

[@frightranker]

@@jasonfurumetarualkemisto5917 Oh, neato. Never put that together. Thanks mate, will give you credit for that if I do another 'things you didn't know about MIA' video :)

[@jasonfurumetarualkemisto5917]

@@frightranker Thanks man!

[@maroindefinitlyhuman6857]

I want to cuddle with nanachi too!!!😭😭

[@debreczeniarpad9956]

Thank you for the correction, my MiA-Nerd Ass Persona got a bit relieved that you correted those

[@frightranker]

Haha yeah. In my defense, this is an *incredibly* dense manga, and a lot of it is very abstract.

[@debreczeniarpad9956]

@@frightranker it is a Gorgeously depraved anxiety/suffering porn. 10/10 Worldbuilding, 10/10 Heartbreaking

[@AG-en5y]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥