Made in Abyss Episode 8 Review: Survival Training

This week’s Made in Abyss surprised me in a lot of ways, because I thought it’d just be another episode of discovering more of the second layer, with Riko and Reg trying to survive Ozen’s test. What I got instead, though, was trying to survive my feels and the revelations! The episode was packed full of them!

Japanese Original Episode Title: 生存訓練

Plot

Training is very important because it’ll prepare you for things coming your way, especially in Riko and Reg’s case! I believe that hands-on training is way better than lectures! They got to see just how well they work together, and how they fare against the forces of the Abyss’ docile second layer. After surviving that ten-day trial, awaiting them was a comfy camp, as well as more information on certain things, and Lyza!

Episode Highlights

Survival training: The ten days went faster than I thought it’d go in the episode. But, I also found it to be a really good connotation of how Riko and Reg got to adapt to the environment. It was hard at first, but once they figured out how to gain their basic needs – water, shelter, warmth, food, and protection – the days went by in no time. They also learned how to depend on each other more to make up for their own weaknesses, and I am proud of them, both individually and as a duo! Reg lacked composure and knowledge, but Riko excelled at them. Riko lacked strength and durability, but Reg was built with them. They were still rough around the edges and actually barely hung in there given the multiple close calls, but let’s hope their initial training was more than enough to let them get a head start in the third layer. They’ll eventually learn more as they go, right?

Things to know: Aside from being a good illustration of how well the two adapted, looks like the pacing of that survival training also served to show how fast time went by. It’s quite genius how they used it to prove another fact about the Abyss. It’s also possible evidence that Lyza’s still alive after all these years. Given that the Abyss’ curse can mess with people’s minds and bodies, it’s really not unlikely that it disrupts their perception of time as well! So, Lyza’s surely waiting for her daughter after all this time! However, it’s also possible that she’s not expecting her at all. Maybe the one they will find is whoever wrote the letter on that rare paper relic instead! Then, there was also Ozen’s warning about the other White Whistles! I wonder why she didn’t want the two to run into them. Does it go back to the fact that they’re not supposed to be there yet as Red Whistles? And just how terrible is one of them, Bondrewd, if Ozen was kinder than him? I’m pretty sure they’ll still end up running into them at some point, anyway, so we’ll eventually get our answers. That is, when, or if Riko and Reg manage to reach the fifth layer. Hope they put the other information Ozen gave them into good use! Fingers crossed!

Setting out: I never thought I’d see farewells in this whole show twice! I thought we were done with those once our duo left Shiggy and Nat on the surface. But now we got an even more dramatic send off because of Marulk’s speech! That was lovely and heartbreaking! Though they only got to spend a short time with each other, I could totally see how much Marulk valued Riko and Reg, only to part with them for a journey they possibly might never come back from. I feel like they’d be sad over their newfound friends for a long while after this, wondering how they’re doing or if they’re still alive. Oops. I hope I didn’t make you guys feel depressed with that thought (I certainly am).

Lyza: And the other heart-crusher of this episode: all of the flashbacks Ozen had of Lyza! Just from those short clips and the scene after delivering a stillborn Riko, I could already feel just how important Lyza was to Ozen. No wonder she put up with all of her shenanigans, even helping her carry a huge relic to the surface just to save her daughter. No wonder she respected her wishes of teaching that daughter in the future, so she’s able to send her to her mother even though it was going to be such a burden. Ozen’s sense of duty as a mentor is amazing, but even more so her loyalty as a friend. And Lyza, oh my goodness. I somehow already had this image of her as a reckless woman due to all the stories about her. But, marriage and motherhood really did seem to mellow her out like Ozen said, because in her memories, she just gave me the feeling of being a gentle mother, hoping to have Riko follow whichever path made her happy.

Themes & Trivia

Strengths and weaknesses: ‘No man is an island,’ they say. Nobody can live in this world alone or do things on their own without other people helping them one way or another. Just like how Riko and Reg’s strengths and weaknesses balanced each other out, and so they were able to survive their training!

Living freely: There are some people who, sadly, don’t have the luxury of deciding how they want to live, which was what Lyza gave Riko. As a mother, she could stop her daughter from living a dangerous life. As a cave raider, she could force it. But she gave Riko that freedom to choose her own way of life, even if she had to be apart from her.

Comments

This episode was very dear to me. Maybe it’s just because I’m an emotional person, but the overall atmosphere and themes touched my heart. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite episode, but it’s certainly one of the memorable ones, probably because we got so much info on the mysterious Lyza. That really took the cake!

How irredeemable

It’s off to the third layer for our protagonists, and just from its entrance, it already looks so mind-blowing! Just makes you realize how far down they already are, huh?

Well, how did this chapter of the story speak to you? Did you love how emotional it was, or was it just bland? I look forward to reading your comments! We’re also past half the Summer 2017 season, so catch up with the other reviews if you haven’t yet! You can also check official anime screenshots from the episode at our Made in Abyss Episode 8 Stills and Summary.