Two years after the finale, this controversial anime continues to infuriate the public

According to the majority of viewers, how it depicts violence is truly indefensible

Image Credit: Sentai Filmworks

In the vast universe of manga and anime, there are several that, despite having been particularly appreciated in the past, today raise more delicate discussions. Some of these titles, in fact, have become difficult to defend or even just to mention without causing discomfort in the public. An emblematic example is Made in Abyss, a manga written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi and from which an anime was made in 2016: according to many fans, it is impossible to talk about this without highlighting the problematic aspects linked to the themes covered or the contents that, over time, have become unacceptable.

First published in 2012, the Made in Abyss manga currently has 13 volumes – and continues to be published – while the animated series stopped airing in 2022. The plot revolves around the Abyss, a huge and mysterious chasm that seems to have no bottom, and Riko, a young girl whose mother was a legendary Cave Raider, or those who venture into the depths of the aforementioned Abyss in search of treasures and secrets. After finding a robot that she believes was sent by her mother, Riko decides to descend into the dark pit, starting an adventure that will lead her to encounter deadly dangers and mysterious creatures.

The anime series has been widely praised for its extraordinary world-building, that is, the staging of a fascinating and at the same time disturbing atmosphere, and for the deep exploration of the characters' psyches, especially the childish one. Furthermore, the way Made in Abyss deals with the emotions, fears, and difficulties of Riko and the other child protagonists has been praised for its “realistic” portrayal of the inner world of young people. However, one of the aspects that has raised strong criticism is precisely the representation of suffering and abuse, especially towards children. The scenes of physical and psychological violence, which see the younger characters suffer torture and abuse, have become the subject of complex conversations: while some defenders of the series argue that these scenes are necessary to emphasize the dark and mature themes of the story, others find that the treatment of childhood suffering is disturbing and inappropriate, especially considering the target audience of the manga.

Two years after the end of its first season, as we said, Made in Abyss continues to be talked about, also due to the controversies related to external events, such as the association of the anime with some celebrities. In fact, it has recently emerged that several K-pop idols have been criticized for showing interest in the series, a development that has further increased the public debate. This has raised questions about the impact that Made in Abyss has on viewers, especially considering the visibility that these public figures have on social media, where their actions are always subject to scrutiny.

In essence, what may have originally seemed like a bold observation and a representation of the brutality of life, is now seen by most viewers as a glorification of acts of unjustified violence, especially when it affects the most vulnerable. My Abyss, therefore, is part of a broader debate on how to deal with sensitive topics in a format that is both accessible and maintains a strong responsibility in terms of how it is told.

Source: CBR