The Abyss’s Recurring Cataclysm: Unraveling the 2000-Year Cycle in Made in Abyss

Every 2000 years, the world of Made in Abyss seemingly experiences a cataclysmic event. The Abyss deepens, and the surface world above it sinks down, effectively becoming a new layer of the Abyss. From this sunken surface, a new surface world emerges, restarting the cycle. Evidence suggests this occurs as the praying skeletons are found within each layer, perhaps as a consequence of the surface inhabitants sinking down into the abyss.

Delving Deeper: The Nature of the Abyss’s Cycle

The theory of a recurring 2000-year cycle within Made in Abyss is based on observations within the Abyss itself. The presence of prayer formations of skeletons in the lower layers suggests a civilization that once thrived on the surface now lost to the depths. The structures and artifacts found also support a continuous societal presence, hinting at a cyclical decline and rebirth. The Abyss, in essence, acts as a devouring force, consuming the civilizations that exist above it.

The Mechanics of the Descent

While the exact mechanisms behind the sinking and the subsequent reformation of the surface remain shrouded in mystery, several clues offer potential insights:

• The Curse of the Abyss: The curse that afflicts those who ascend from the Abyss could be tied to a deeper force that manipulates the relationship between the surface and the depths. Perhaps it’s a manifestation of the Abyss’s own “digestive” process, preparing the surface for its eventual descent.

• Relics and Artifacts: The presence of powerful relics and artifacts, such as the Curse-Repelling Vessel that saved Riko, suggests a technological understanding of the Abyss that predates the current human inhabitants. It’s plausible that these ancient technologies play a role in the cyclical shifting of the world.

• The Sixth Layer: Capital of the Unreturned: The Idofront layer and the Garden of the Flowers of Resilience give indications of a civilization far more advanced than the current Orth that have learned to manipulate the Abyss’s powers.

• The Will of the Abyss: Some theories posit that the Abyss itself possesses a will or consciousness that drives these cyclical changes. This “will” could be a response to the actions of surface dwellers, a self-preservation mechanism, or simply an inherent property of the Abyss’s nature.

Potential Outcomes

If the theory of the 2000-year cycle holds true, it has profound implications for the characters and the future of Made in Abyss:

• Orth’s Fate: The current surface city of Orth is, in effect, living on borrowed time. Unless something drastic changes, it will eventually succumb to the same fate as the civilizations that preceded it, sinking into the Abyss to become a new layer.

• The Search for a Solution: Riko’s journey may not only be about discovering the secrets of the Abyss but also about finding a way to break this destructive cycle. Perhaps the power to control the Abyss lies hidden within its depths, waiting to be unlocked.

• The Ending: The ending of Made in Abyss could revolve around the next cataclysm. Either the heroes will stop the event, delaying it, or become engulfed by it and continue their adventure into the new layer.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Made in Abyss

1. What is the Abyss in Made in Abyss?

The Abyss is a massive, mysterious chasm discovered on an island and a vast, unknown world with unique creatures and powerful artifacts. It is dangerous due to the “Curse of the Abyss,” which causes increasingly severe effects upon ascent from deeper layers.

2. What is the Curse of the Abyss?

The Curse of the Abyss is a phenomenon that causes negative effects when ascending from the Abyss, such as nausea, dizziness, bleeding, and even death. The deeper one goes, the more severe the effects become.

3. What are White Whistles?

White Whistles are legendary cave raiders who have reached the bottom of the Abyss and returned (or are believed to have). They possess unique white whistles that resonate with the Abyss and are highly respected (or feared) for their knowledge and power.

4. Who is Lyza the Annihilator?

Lyza the Annihilator is a legendary White Whistle and Riko’s mother. She’s renowned for her strength, intelligence, and deep knowledge of the Abyss. She’s believed to be dead, but her notes and artifacts are discovered, prompting Riko to journey into the Abyss.

5. What is a Curse-Repelling Vessel?

A Curse-Repelling Vessel is a powerful relic capable of mitigating the effects of the Curse of the Abyss. Riko was brought back to life using one after being stillborn within the Abyss.

6. What is the significance of the praying skeletons?

The praying skeletons found in the layers of the Abyss suggest that civilizations have been swallowed by the Abyss over time, potentially indicating a cyclical event or a history of surface societies sinking into the depths.

7. What are the layers of the Abyss?

The layers of the Abyss are distinct zones with varying environments, creatures, and intensities of the Curse. They include the Edge of the Abyss, the Forest of Temptation, the Great Fault, the Goblets of Giants, the Sea of Corpses, the Capital of the Unreturned, and the Final Maelstrom.

8. What is the deal with Nanachi?

Nanachi is a Hollow, a being transformed by the Curse of the Abyss. They reside in the Fourth Layer and possess a unique understanding of the Curse, allowing them to perceive its flow.

9. Who is Bondrewd?

Bondrewd, the Lord of Dawn, is a White Whistle known for his cruel experiments on humans to study and manipulate the Curse of the Abyss. He is the primary antagonist of the Ido Front arc.

10. What happened to Irumyuui?

Irumyuui was a member of the Ganja Corp, a group seeking paradise in the Abyss. She suffered horrific mutations due to the Abyss’s influence and became a biological engine for creating Hollows.

11. What is Faputa’s role in the story?

Faputa, the Princess of the Hollows, is a creature born from Irumyuui’s desires. She seeks to destroy the village of Ilblu, which she sees as a corruption of her mother’s wish for children. After destroying the city, Faputa is able to live on unfettered by a preconceived notion of how she can be valuable to her mother.

12. Is Made in Abyss finished?

Made in Abyss is an ongoing manga series, with the anime adapting portions of the story. The ending of the story is not yet known.

13. What are the potential themes of Made in Abyss?

Made in Abyss explores themes of exploration, the unknown, the consequences of ambition, the loss of innocence, and the complex relationship between humanity and nature.

14. How does the lore relate to a game setting?

The rich lore, complex characters, and vast unexplored environment of Made in Abyss make it an excellent candidate for game adaptations. Games could explore delving, combat, lore and moral ambiguity of the Abyss. Game-based learning designs can leverage these elements as described in the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

15. Is Riko affected by the curse?

Yes, Riko is affected by the curse. Lyza and Ozen brought her back from the depths of the Abyss using a relic regarded as the “Curse-Repelling Vessel”. However, as a result of the Curse, Riko wears glasses, as she develops a headache if she does not view the world through a crystal lens.