Made in Abyss Episode 3 Review: Departure

Episode 3 of Made in Abyss seemed quite peaceful at first glance, but after you’re done watching, you’re left to deal with your own feelings! Even the title got me fooled! The episode featured Reg’s first dive, which I thought was the ‘departure’ but that was just one side of the coin.

Japanese Original Episode Title: 出発

Plot

Naughty, naughty Riko! She was told in the previous episode not to touch anything, but she still went and swiped the letter her mother wrote! What’s more, she got the brilliant idea that she must go and meet Lyza who was waiting for her! It would definitely be hard to change an iron-willed girl’s mind. Plus, Reg said that he wanted to go with her to figure out his origins, so there’s no stopping it now! But for a child to go face the dangers of the unknown void without proper guidance, that’s basically suicide!

Episode Highlights

The plan: Somehow, I found it both appropriate and concerning that a 12-year-old would make an impulsive decision to the deathly Abyss. You can clearly see Riko’s straightforward attitude, as well as her impatience. Well, I guess if a letter from your mom, who’s been missing for 10 years, tells you she’s waiting for you at the bottom of a dangerous pit, you wouldn’t let her wait any longer. Riko wanted to take this matter into her own hands, even if it meant she could die alone from the curse of the abyss, or get eaten by the dangerous monsters her mother documented. That got depressing real quick. Good thing Reg wanted to tag along, too, so he could discover more about himself! With that, the chances of her surviving have become higher! My question, though: how can they be sure that Lyza was the one who actually wrote that letter? Did they confirm that it’s really her handwriting?

Reg’s first cave raiding: Having Reg around as a partner sure is convenient! Aside from his extending arms, he’s also able to lift heavy things! That means it’s easier to find relics where you normally can’t, like that squishy thing he found. (I was so sure it was gonna move; I thought it was a creature!) He doesn’t get affected by the Curse of the Abyss too! Sadly, his first dive will be his last official one, because his unique features and Lyza’s document made him even more curious about where he came from and why he exists. Joining Riko in her excursion really would help him discover the answers to these questions. I’m actually wondering if maybe he’s actually the figure Lyza saw in the seventh level…

Fights: Nat’s outburst at Riko’s resolve made me grimace. However, he was just terribly concerned and didn’t know how else to convince his friend to not leave. After all, no matter what he said, Riko and Reg wouldn’t listen. He didn’t just want to give up and support them instead, like Shiggy. If I was in Nat’s shoes, letting them leave just like that would’ve made me feel like it’s my fault they’re not coming back! In the end, though, since there really was no stopping them, he assisted them; he still valued his friendship with Riko more. Reg was right that if that was the last time they’re going to see each other, it would be terrible to leave it at such a sour note. They even got to know more about Nat’s background before they left!

Farewells: Aside from that touching and heartwarming goodbye with Shiggy and Nat, I’m glad we also got to see Kiyui and Leader. Not at all glad that Reg was the only one to see them, though. I guess Riko would’ve been found out if she saw Leader beforehand. I just don’t want to imagine his reaction when he finds out that the girl who was already like his little sister went off to the Abyss without any warning whatsoever. At least Reg’s moment with Kiyui was incredibly cute! Either Reg really believed the urban legend that Nat told him, or he just really cares about Kiyui that he didn’t want to take any chances. It’s just too bad that Riko and Reg won’t be there when Kiyui turns a year older, though! Oh, my heart!

Themes & Trivia

Valuing relationships: No matter who’s at fault, if your relationship with a person is important to you, then you’ll do whatever it takes to reconcile. Pride is a petty thing, but our relationships with people are necessary in life! Be like Nat and Riko who easily forgave each other’s faults because they knew it would probably be the last time they’ll see each other. In our case, we may not know when that time is, which is exactly why we should show our friends how much we value them. We don’t want any regrets in the future, do we?

Superstitions and urban legends: Whether Nat just invented that story about children dying on the morning of their birthdays or he just heard it from somewhere, it’s a known fact that urban legends and superstitions are a part of a country’s culture. Even the idea that the voices of White Whistles linger on to guide other Cave Raiders seems to be a part of Orth’s.

Comments

I honestly wasn’t expecting this development. All this time I’d been wondering how Riko and Reg would go about their adventures if they have to go back to their base of operations every once in a while. Now, contrary to that, there’s no turning back! It reminded me of RPGs where the protagonist has to leave behind his town to make his journey. If this is the case, then this episode’s probably the last time we’ll see the people at the orphanage! I couldn’t be any sadder. But, we must move on and support our protagonists, just as their friends do!

I also wanted to note just how beautiful the backgrounds in this episode were, especially as the gang traversed from the city to the slums. It spoke volumes of how people there lived. Even if your characters are drawn well and you have an amazing soundtrack, proper attention to backgrounds add more depth to each scene!

Safe travels!

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the Abyss as Riko and Reg make their way down! Shiggy only described what lies ahead from the map they read, which already sounded so amazing and surreal, especially when the scenery’s right before your eyes!

Let me know in the comments section below if this episode hit you right in the feels or you have other feelings about it! Don’t forget to check out our other Summer 2017 reviews as well! Don’t forget to check the official anime screenshots over at our Made in Abyss Episode 3 Preview Stills and Synopsis.