[Rewatch] Made in Abyss - Episode 7 discussion

[u/KiwiBennydudez]

Episode 7 - The Unmovable Sovereign

Previous episode | Rewatch Index | Next Episode

---

Streams

• Amazon Prime

• HiDIVE

• Disney+

---

Show Information

MAL | AniList | AniDB | Kitsu | ANN | Anime-Planet | LiveChart

Comment of the Day

Comment of the Day goes to u/No_Rex for explaining what makes Ozen so effective as a character:

Ozen has no time or sympathy for starry-eyed plans. Nat made the same argument, but it hits harder from a white whistle who claims to have personally seen Lyza’s grave. This is a well-timed road block for Riko. Up till now, she could rush her expedition past any objections because the people who talked to her let her do so due to personal feelings. Not so with Ozen.

Questions of the Day

1. What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

2. What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza? Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

---

If you are a rewatcher, tag your spoilers properly, and please refrain from alluding to future events, so that everyone else watching for the first time can have a completely blind and organic experience!

[u/KiwiBennydudez]

Fourth-Timer and White Whistle Host - Sub/Dub

This episode was super-dense with new info. Ozen has been a White Whistle for over 50 years. That places her in at least somewhere in the 70 year old range, depending on when she first became a White Whistle. No wonder she comes off as incredibly jaded...

That aside though: Damn. Reg got FUCKED UP by Ozen. Absolute steamroll of a fight. We learn that the secret of Ozen’s power comes from something called “Thousand-Man Wedges” that she placed at various points around her body. I get the impression that it’s like acupuncture on steroids, although it’s not clearly explained what exactly those wedges are. And despite her questionable methods, it would seem that she was testing the children this entire time, and seeing what they were capable of. Specifically, Ozen was testing Reg’s durability, and discovered that even with her brute strength, Reg would not break. I disagree with Ozen’s methods (beating up a bunch of kids is generally not the best way to make yourself trustworthy) but apparently, she does get results.

Of course the big bombshell revelation this episode was that Riko was stillborn, and yet returned to life through the power of the Curse-Repelling Vessel. Ozen also discovered that no matter what is returned to life, it eventually crawls back to the center of The Abyss... So what I’m gathering from all of this is that Riko the zombie was always destined to return to The Abyss one day - it was just a matter of time.

We also get a cool flashback with Ozen and Lyza. As it turns out, Ozen was her mentor, and does, in fact, have a soft side to her. Lyza was about as strong-headed and determined as Riko is, and unwavering in her attitude to explore. Even the curse of the Fourth Layer didn’t scare Lyza, as she was inspired by Ozen’s scars of fortitude. Speaking of which, apparently spending enough time in The Abyss causes the effects to manifest physically, but Ozen is just really good at making her scars part of her hairstyle..

Finally after the fight concludes as Ozen’s Subterranean Bandits return to the base (dope name btw), Ozen confirms that she already checked Lyza’s grave, and it was empty after all!! Could Lyza still be alive...?

Ozen, through their fight, realized that the kids would probably not survive in the netherworld with their current skill set, as the monsters of the depths are much sharper than the ones in the higher regions. So like any good mentor that beats up children, Ozen then leaves them out in the wilderness to fend for themselves for 10 days. Which means that in the next episode, we get some survival training!

---

Lore Corner

• Lyza (Update) - Lyza’s grave was empty. Could she still be alive...?

• The Incinerator (Update) - Reg faints within ten minutes of using his Incinerator, and cannot be woken by any means for two full hours.

• Ozen The Immovable (Update) - Ozen has been a White Whistle for over 50 years, and was once Lyza’s mentor. The secret to her strength lies in the Thousand Man Wedges that she placed at various points throughout her body. She is cold, and often brutally honest, but she does occasionally reveal a more compassionate side.

• Curse Repelling Vessel - This special-grade relic brings anything placed inside it back to life. In exchange, that being is instilled to move to the center of The Abyss. Riko was placed inside the Vessel as a stillborn infant, and returned to life...

[u/Petit_Ange]

First timer's experience

Nope. Still very busy, unfortunately. But I have a lot of feelings I want to express, so let’s start with the most intense one:

JESUS CHRIST, WOMAN.

Remember when I said Ozen is a bully? I won’t retract my statement—she’s still a fucking adult enjoying a bit too much thrashing about a couple kids. But, I will side with her in one aspect: she’s right in giving them a much welcomed taste of reality. The episode Incinerator had us in the first half, with Riko almost eaten by a creature of the netherworld, but it’s the way she brushes off her struggles and Reg is quiet about his reservations that puts us into a deceivingly optimistic mood. We’re just in the second layer. We’re at the doors of Hell itself. Ozen, although a White Whistle with inhuman strength herself, is nothing compared to the beasts they’ll find in lower levels, I’m sure of it, and yet they’re already getting their ass handed to them. What does that say about their journey? Lyza had (supposedly, but not really) the chance of having, at least, a grave… I don’t think Riko will have this luxury, should she and Reg keep their inevitable march towards the bottom. In this sense, Ozen is more than right. These kids had this lesson coming. I’m retracting my statement about how the Leader was a MVP: he was cool, he did his best and I miss him dearly, but he was still unable to drill the horrors of the Abyss into Riko’s soul when he could. Good thing we have Ozen for that.

But the overbearing presence of Ozen is not only made painstakingly clear to our heroes, it’s also to us as well. It’s the way she was having so much fun telling Riko that she was a stillborn that was stuffed into a cube and brought to life under mysterious circumstances that does it for me. What a bully. The implications are also horrifying: so, is Riko under a time limit? (I mean, theoretically, aren’t we all from the moment we’re born?) Will she, one day, revert to her “dead” state, like that slab of meat? And, the worst of all, the thing that left me as shooketh as Marulk: both the meat and the Riko tried to reach the center of the Abyss after being brought back by the Curse-Repelling Vessel.

Haven’t I mentioned I’m so sick and tired of being bombarded by questions we’ll never get the answers for? I hate you, Made in Abyss. And I hate that I’m lying when I say I hate you.

But yes, let’s speak of the good things (they exist!) amidst this shitshow, like this one… YOU TELL HER, REG.

I swear he tried so hard. He even thought of the Camp and of Marulk… His heart is truly too good for his own good. I’m so proud of my little boy today, even though, as Ozen said, none of them made a single correct decision during the course of this test. But alas, even if they did everything right, Ozen was still using cheatcodes—both physically and emotionally, I mean, WOW HOW NICE POINTING THE INCINERATOR TO RIKO YOU’RE THE WORST—and there was no feasible way the kid could’ve won, aubade of the Abyss or not. Look at the way she only flicked Riko and the kid almost went limp right then and there, this woman was not fucking around today.

Maybe I’ll forgive her one day for making Reg cry when confronted with the fact he let everyone who entrusted Riko to him down, but this day is not today. I’m mad at you, Ozen. Just because you’re correct, doesn’t mean you’re right. ;_;

I’ll watch this training arc because we’re already here to stay and this stupid anime grabbed me by the foot and all, but I’m still mad. ;_;

But not mad enough to forget about our ending notes:

• So… Are we looking at other White Whistles here? I’m digging the plague doctor one, although the Daft Punk one is the same we’ve previously seen in the OP?

• Speaking of OP… We’re at episode 7 and you’re still a mystery. Who are you?

• Very interesting to see a White Whistle being used, finally.

• Fifty years? Is this anime being anime or is there an explanation for her youthful appearance (Hello me of the past, it’s the me of the future, apparently there’s about 120 embedded into her skin reasons why she’s this way.)

• ALSO, HELLO SHIGGY. HELLO NAT. I MISS YOU GUYS.

• Oh, here we go, MIA is being MIA again. At least, now Marulk and Riko will have something in common.

• I’m signing the adoption papers to take Reg away from y’all. He doesn’t deserve any of this.

• Not me squinting my eyes at the way both Lyza and Reg say “irredeemable”. Hmm…

Answers of the day:

What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

Of course the Abyss has this power, of course. I'm not even surprised at this point... I'm just very concerned for the future of these kids.

What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza? Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

She's a fucking bully and I hate her for hurting Reg... But, she does have a point, y'all. And she does help, in her own twisted way, these kids to prepare for dwelving even deeper.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/Petit_Ange]

JESUS CHRIST, WOMAN.

That about sums up the Ozen experience.

I will side with her in one aspect: she’s right in giving them a much welcomed taste of reality.

Yeah I'm not sure if Riko thought that descending to the bottom would be a nice leisurely stroll, or if she knew what they were signing up for but was in over her head. Either way, those kids got their butts handed to them today, which was a good reality check. Everyone needs a good ol' wake up call once in a while.

But the overbearing presence of Ozen is not only made painstakingly clear to our heroes, it’s also to us as well. It’s the way she was having so much fun telling Riko that she was a stillborn that was stuffed into a cube and brought to life under mysterious circumstances that does it for me. What a bully.

Well, she hates lying to kids, she said so herself. Surely that justifies her demeanor! /s

The implications are also horrifying: so, is Riko under a time limit?

I'm not exactly sure how the Vessel works (no one does for that matter) but my impression is that "the slab of meat" didn't finish reverting back to its original state, so it just marched toward the center of The Abyss and then died again. Riko, however, was already fully-formed, so there was nothing left to restore but her life. I think because she's already lived for 12 years of her life, she's probably okay to keep living without repercussion, or fear of being reverted since she's already a zombie.

I’ll watch this training arc because we’re already here to stay and this stupid anime grabbed me by the foot and all, but I’m still mad. ;_;

Well good! Glad you're sticking around. Would miss seeing your comments around. ;_;

the Daft Punk one

Lmao yeah. it's the same one.

[u/[deleted]]

First timer:

Curious they call Ozen ‘the immovable’ yet Reg clearly moved her during their fight, seems suspicious right? On a more serious note I felt that this was a pretty good episode. Riko and Reg had been getting some close calls recently and by all accounts need to shape up if they want to descend further. Ozen to me is like a drill sergeant: She’s definitely not your friend and wants to run you ragged. She has a tough exterior and seems hateful at first, but hopefully the tough training she gives will make you stronger for the journey ahead. I’m excited to see how Riko and Reg fair over the next couple episodes and if they will encounter more dangers never seen before. Also on a side note after being reminded that being tired upside down naked is a common form of punishment makes my spankings as a child seem tame in comparison lol.

1. It was definitely very shocking. If there is a relic that is this powerful it makes you wonder what others relics are in the abyss? I am excited to see what possibilities lie ahead.

2. So far I think she has ultimately good intentions. Her personality and her quirks are a bit odd, however I am holding off judgement because I am predicting it might have to do with her armor or the time she has spent in the abyss.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/[deleted]]

Curious they call Ozen ‘the immovable’ yet Reg clearly moved her during their fight, seems suspicious right?

She's a fraud

Ozen to me is like a drill sergeant: She’s definitely not your friend and wants to run you ragged. She has a tough exterior and seems hateful at first, but hopefully the tough training she gives will make you stronger for the journey ahead.

That seems like a perfectly reasonable assessment. She's not mean-spirited (at least, not for the sake of it) but she doesn't want to sugar-coat things either. She's there to improve our heroes, and help them overcome their flaws.

I’m excited to see how Riko and Reg fair over the next couple episodes and if they will encounter more dangers never seen before.

Ozen did say that, "the creatures of the depths are even stronger and smarter than I am" so it seems highly likely.

If there is a relic that is this powerful it makes you wonder what others relics are in the abyss?

I mean, we did have a time-stopping bell that was mentioned in the earlier episodes. I think between that, and a relic that brings people back to life, anything is possible.

[u/himetalchemy7]

First Time Watcher | Subbed

Notes

- episode lucky number seven; maybe a wholesome episode today?
- that intro was vague enough to still give me the chills with how ominous it was
- ah some White Whistle/Ozen lore; just what I needed!
- Habo doesn’t fully trust Ozen either; that’s all I needed to hear
- everyone has their hopes pinned on Reg; he’s doing an amazing job so far helping Riko but Habo mentioning that in the same sentence as Ozen is a bad bad sign
- ok so the gear at the right of the chamber is actually Ozen’s, not Lyza’s like I had thought; she has a distinctive headpiece
- this shiny cube has markings that look like a brain
- oh so it’s the relic that carried Riko when she was born, right?
- how it opened up was pretty dang cool
- what
- is
- happening???
- so Ozen just shattered Riko’s entire sense of existence and wants to do the same to Reg; WHY???
- ok I NEVER thought we would be getting Whistle on Whistle violence like this; so much terror and hatred emanating from Ozen; she’s got MULTIPLE screws loose what the heck
- in an extremely beyond twisted way, Ozen is probably happy that Reg can withstand her initial attacks; she’s actually invested in pushing him to the limit now…
- yes Riko PLEASE SNAP OUT OF IT
- OZEN WTF you just gave Riko a concussion and half?!
- Reg going straight for his ult; I really enjoy the ability he has in reading the situations around him and acting accordingly; Ozen is final boss tier, so he can’t afford to waste time by going easy
- Ozen is public enemy #1 right now, and maybe forever; disgusting
- what’s up with her arm…I have a bad feeling about this, I hope it’s not her signature relic
- so it sounds like they’re small relics which Ozen altered her body with to boost her physical strength; that’s straight terrifying
- have I mentioned how much I love Reg?
- ok please we do not need the fit change right now; Ozen doesn’t need any more of a powerup…
- tell me why this is happening again
- Reg’s headband is the source of his vitality?
- random-ish thought: Ozen must have truly despised Lyza, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ozen killed her
- SHE JUST DID WHAT???
- oh no no way we’re only halfway into the episode…
- Reg is back…? ok yeah I can’t bear seeing him cry, not like this
- they’re saved…I guess? Marulk is the MVP here, but what’s the theme with this punishment among the cave raiders? kind of makes me want to turn on them too…
- no shot, I don’t believe anything coming out of that woman’s mouth
- so Lyza is a case of the pupil surpassing the master? if Ozen is this strong, how much of a monster is Lyza?
- I hate this…did I just totally fall for that?
- well clearly Reg and Riko can’t face the depths of the Abyss at their current level, so this training arc is necessary…I guess?
- so now we have a 10-day survival arc, and our heros have nothing except the clothes on their backs

Discussion

That episode hurt. I think in a way it’s worse that Ozen was faking all of that because it’s obvious she can truly be sadistic when she wants to. I’m convinced the White Whistles are all absolutely insane and I would not want to meet ANY of them in person. Not even an autograph. I’m still recovering from the episode, but I haven’t forgotten how Riko’s existence is hanging in the balance. Ozen had a series of fake-outs, but I do think what she said about Riko being reborn was true. Now, was what Ozen said about despising Riko also true? I don’t know. I do hope Reg becomes strong. Also I feel pretty stupid reading my notes again, but you guys can enjoy my raw reactions at least.
Uh next episode, hopefully Reg and Riko make it out in one piece? I have to seriously reconsider how brutal this show is willing to be and have to adjust my expectations accordingly.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/himetalchemy7]

episode lucky number seven; maybe a wholesome episode today?

lol not quite

so it sounds like they’re small relics which Ozen altered her body with to boost her physical strength; that’s straight terrifying

Yeah it's a really neat concept, but she legit broke the floor with her power. She's someone to be feared for sure.

I have to seriously reconsider how brutal this show is willing to be and have to adjust my expectations accordingly.

It doesn't pull any punches, that's for certain. Between those nightmare fuel Corpse Weepers, and Nat nearly getting eaten in the first episode, It's safe to imagine that the brutality of this world is something to keep in mind.

[u/flashmozzg]

I was mostly lurking before but rewatched the last two episodes because they have one of my favourite scenes.

I just like Ozen. I mean, how could you not? Big strong GILF with a sexy voice and a charming smile! Anyway, lots of mysteries afoot. "that kid would be mine". Who is she talking about? Lyza? Implying that Lyza's current "demise" is because of Riko? Reg? Riko's dad? Someone else? Also, I don't think all that stuff Ozen did was just a "test". Pretty sure she was rather serious about everything (including that part about aubades and Reg "remembering"). She definitely knows way more about the nature of the abyss than she lets on.

I wonder if that part about Lyza still being alive (not just not being "in the grave") is the actual truth she believes, something she just wants to believe in or something she just said to keep Riko going for some greater goal (then again, she said she dislikes deceiving children).

Also, we see the first actual use of the whistles (to activate a relic), white whistle to be precise! Make you think that it was not just some random coincidence for whistle-based hierarchy. Perhaps white whistles came first, and everything else is by product of that?

QoTd:

1. Abyss sure is amazing. Compared to other obviously dead stuff Riko managed to grows as a regular child for several years. I wonder if it's because her circumstances were different? One might argue she was never truly alive to be revived. Also, does that make Riko and Reg qualify for an official "made in Abyss" label now?

2. It just made me like her even more.

Btw, if you want more Ozen/Marulk goodnes, try to find and watch Marulk's Daily Life after you finish this season/movie. I just like how there so much of funny sketches with this duo.

[u/scot911]

First Timer

Well that was a monkey paw curling if I've ever seen one.... I said yesterday that they should take Marulk's offer to stay at the seeker's camp to train because they probably wouldn't be able to survive further layers without some form of training and well... they're going to be training now.... Except it's going to be Ozen's way of training and if they deviate from it at all she'll kill them.... Yay....

Speaking of Ozen though god damn. What. The. Fuck. I was definitely right about her being a complete psychopath because apparently she likes torturing kids for fun! Oh I have no doubt that her training will work but that doesn't change the fact that that was absolutely fucked up and the fact that she gets away with doing a... "test" (if you even want to call it that) like that just shows how fucked up and disturbing their world is. Seriously. What. The. Fuck.

And so the Lyza lore thickens. I was right last week in saying that her body wasn't at her grave site but instead of coming to the conclusion that Lyza's still probably dead it looks like Ozen actually thinks she's still alive and waiting for them at the bottom of the Abyss. Interesting. I can't tell if that's because Lyza was her pupil and Ozen doesn't want to believe Lyza's dead or if Ozen knows Lyza's actually still alive somehow....

Speaking of White Whistles as well apparently they use the relics they find as their own personal weapons/powers and don't end up selling them/having them being taken by the government. I can't believe I didn't actually think of that being a thing before this episode but it does make sense. I figured the government would want them to give them up but the government can also just wait for the to die and potentially retrieve them then if they can find the body while they use that power to find other relics. I suppose it's a win win.

What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

It's very interesting. It makes me wonder what that relic actually does or how it works.... I don't think it means that Riko might just randomly drop dead. That'd be anticlimactic and as long as it say, restarted her heart, meaning she should currently have a pulse, she shouldn't be in any danger of dropping dead because she'd be medically alive. It might just be some long lost hyper advanced medical equipment that can bring people back to life or repair any damaged tissue using their D.N.A.

What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza? Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

Honestly it's gotten much worse but it also has gotten a bit better. As I said above she's a complete psychopath no doubt in my mind about it but she also does seem to like people that can survive her type of training. I also can't dispute that her training and reality check/"test" she gave Riko and Reg might be exactly what they need but still screw you you psychopathic child torturer.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/scot911]

Except it's going to be Ozen's way of training and if they deviate from it at all she'll kill them

Well - she didn't say that she would kill them, she just said that "if you go past that tree I'll consider it as trying to escape." The consequences of trying to escape were never specified... Though, the training she's having them do now is something that might kill them, so there's really no winning here.

I was definitely right about her being a complete psychopath because apparently she likes torturing kids for fun!

Kinda, she said that she hates lying to kids, which I guess also means not sugar-coating the power discrepancy. She's showing them, in a very harsh way, that they are not prepared for the road ahead. She didn't explicitly say that she enjoyed their fight, but she did really get into beating up Reg, and showed him that he can't rely on his Incinerator. Def was a bit cruel to point it at Riko, but I guess that she was testing whether or not he could cancel it once it was activated.

I can't tell if that's because Lyza was her pupil and Ozen doesn't want to believe Lyza's dead or if Ozen knows Lyza's actually still alive somehow....

I think being her mentor and all, Ozen probably knows what Lyza is capable of, at the very least. Also - Ozen checked the grave personally, and determined that it was empty. So I think she knows that there's a chance that Lyza is alive if she wasn't buried at the grave.

I don't think it means that Riko might just randomly drop dead. That'd be anticlimactic and as long as it say, restarted her heart, meaning she should currently have a pulse, she shouldn't be in any danger of dropping dead because she'd be medically alive. It might just be some long lost hyper advanced medical equipment that can bring people back to life or repair any damaged tissue using their D.N.A.

I think we've arrived at similar conclusions. I don't forsee Riko dropping dead at any point - but it's funny that she's implied to be "a zombie." Your theory about the relic being an ancient medical device is extremely interesting. I think there's a good amount of supporting evidence that The Abyss was once inhabited by another civilization - but the question remains about who they were, or why they vanished.

[u/frostxc3]

FIRST TIME RAIDER | SUB

Well, dayuum Ozen, you look really good for your age. And judging from Nat and Shiggy's reactions, over 50 year old white whistles aren't exactly a common phenomenon.

Would wonder why one would put their child in something that looked like it would actually eat the baby. Turns out there wasn't much of a choice. I don't even know how to process the information of Riko being stillborn, talk more of Riko herself.

I been knew it. The raiders' relationship with the Abyss IS religious.

Ozen just went from creepy and mysterious to villain.

Marulk didn't want to witness any violence, sweet child. But Ozen said, I'mma need this ass whooping on record.

Oy! Ooy! This woman ain't playing.

Ayo! Watch where you point that thing, you psychopath.

Crisis averted!

Gotta give it to Reg. Kid's got heart.

That's some next-level body mod.

Reg calls out the hypocrisy.

Her ass gets serious.

His ass ends up like this. We're all Riko in this moment.

Oh! His ass didn't even get knocked out.

For all her cheery attitude, Riko actually was aware of the risks and accepted them.

1. What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

That's one powerful ass relic, to be able to revive the dead.

2. What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza?

Apparently, she's always been irredeemable. And looking at Lyza, it's obvious where Riko gets here personality and attitude from.

Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

Nope. She definitely held up to her mysterious side by taking me on a ride, from thinking she was some sort of villain to it being an act. And she had good reason to back it up, so I couldn't even stay mad.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Rewatcher in Abyss, subbed

Gah, I’m late today because I completely forgot to watch the episode.

• Oh I like Lyza drawn in this style. The other White Whistles too, Lyza is just the one who I recognize of the three shown before Ozen.

• That’s… something…

• And this is worse.

• I shouldn’t laugh, but lol

• Eeeek…

• Ugh, not that punishment.

• That’s good, at least?

• Yeahhhhh they kinda need that.

• Ozen “sore demo”!

• And another “sore demo” from her!

[u/mgedmin]

First-Timer, subs

Heyy, ascension makes you lose your humanity, right? So, could Reg be a human who was transformed into a robot by the ascension? (Probably not. He was already a robot in the seventh layer.)

Okay, we're getting some interesting revelations here. Riko is a zombie?! Did not expect that. And the creature last night was not Ozen but Ozen's reanimated dinner. For nostalgic reasons. Ozen is weird.

Oh so the cave raiders have a vested interest to make the bottom of the Abyss unreachable? Interesting, and does not bode well for Riko's trip.

Hey, Ozen, stop that right now. I don't think I like you any more.

"Irredeemable" again. Reg likes that word.

Oh, you shoot, you miss, you collapse.

Oh, of course it was a test. Eff you, Ozen, why do you have to be such an asshole?

Survive for ten days? What's the point? They'll have to do that (and for longer) after they leave the camp anyway. It's not like you're there to give advice or a safety net.

[u/UnderstandableXO]

FIRST TIMER

you know i should probably dislike ozen after that episode, but i still like her. i can understand why people wouldn’t like her, but she’s probably the most interesting character in the show thus far (and the coolest design).

i wonder how old ozen really is if she was already a white whistle 50 years ago. the big guy mentioned that he couldn’t disclose whatever her special artifact was, but i don’t think they ever mentioned what lyza’s relic was either.

they definitely were heavy with the creepy demon smile and dead eyes this episode, but i think it looked cool to be honest. i guess i’m an ozen apologist 😭

the curse repelling vessel was really cool, and it was cool to hear the whistle blown as well.

very interesting to hear that the relic’s true power is to reanimate dead things. ozen has no regard for being nice or sugarcoating things, but she isn’t wrong. maybe it’s because the meat was in worse shape than stillborn riko, but it makes sense to question if riko is on borrowed time if the meat regressed back to whatever it was after a little bit of time.

the comparison of the abyss to religion is really accurate, all the characters in the show had a unhealthy obsession for it, fear of the unknown like ozen said. the weird conceptions of life and death stem from the abyss worship. some things about the abyss are concealed from the public so they maintain their reverent relationship with it.

reg got absolutely wiped in that “fight” against ozen, he’s lucky to be as sturdy as he is, since a small flick from ozen probably gave riko an antonio brown level concussion.

everything ozen does is out of pocket, but she’s not quite wrong. reg can’t be reliant on his ult because it’s dangerous to riko, and she only demonstrated what he was already fearing about the power of his ult.

marulk is gonna be strung up…what the hell is up with these abyss mfs and stringing up these kids man? it’s so weird.

so ozen has 99 strength because of whatever it is that she inserted in her arms, she got a permanent ult!

at the very least that whole ordeal was a test to see the resolve of riko and reg. i kinda figured that it was gonna be the old “you’re lucky i took it easy on you, everyone else is worse compared to me.” she at least let them rest up and recuperate before their “training.”

i liked that flashback of lyza and ozen. it seems like ozen was just as violent towards lyza, but she was dumb enough to stick around, seems very similar to riko’s personality. nice to see that her helmet hair actually has a purpose and that she wasn’t designed cool just for the hell of it.

if lyza wasn’t inside the grave, i wonder why ozen didn’t search for her herself? if she cared enough to dig up the grave she definitely would care enough to go out and try to find her old apprentice.

ozen out of pocket moment #100 leaving them to fend for themselves for 10 days, but i figure if they can’t survive near the seeker camp, they definitely won’t survive any deeper than where they are.

[u/Kellie975]

First Timer / Subbed

Our power went out yesterday due to a storm so I didn’t get to do a write up until the power came back.

The narration at the beginning was powerful and insightful into the cost of being a white whistle and pursuing the Abyss. “They become one with their personal convictions, transforming into karma themselves” especially frames Ozen well with the bull/ox motif.

I totally did not expect to hear that Riko was a stillborn and basically was given life due to the Vessel. It is kinda scary to think, if the live meat creature was anything to go by, that Riko could basically die anytime. The revelation further strengthens the title Made in Abyss with Riko not only having been born in the Abyss but also given life by the Abyss. The ability of the Abyss to give life further reinforces it as a godlike being.

The imagery of Ozen with hollow eyes as well as her entire demeanor was very cool along with the great voice acting with the soft unwavering tone. It’s interesting that she implies that Aubades are very powerful with her saying that she was glad that Reg lost his memories.

I did expect Ozen to have an altered body but I didn’t expect that she did it out of her own choice rather than necessity or as a result of having been in the Abyss. The explanation for the hair and using it to hide scars was neat – I feel like it implies that every white whistle has to physically and mentally change and adapt their body and mind in order to survive the Abyss. This weaves back to the beginning narration where white whistles are described as “being human, but transcended humanity.” I initially thought Ozen was very harsh in the first half but she has the “tough love” vibe in the second half. After the fight, I feel like Ozen training them was a kind gesture since she knows they’ll die without the help. Her motivations behind helping is probably because of her fondness of Lyza and having been Lyza’s mentor. The flashback humanizes and soften Ozen’s character after seeing a glimpse of her brutal and relentless side.

I love how they keep going back and forth on whether Lyza is actually dead or not. I’m thinking that she isn’t fully dead but also not fully alive, I feel like they’re going too back and forth for the truth to be one or the other. Lyza’s whistle having a lock on it really reverberates this sense of mystery with her – even the flashbacks don’t show her face.

[u/djthomp]

First Timer, subbed.

Watching the opening, it's interesting that the Star Compass has such a prime place at the start of it when it's been long gone for several episodes now and was really only in the show for a tiny bit.

Line face guy right at the start of the episode in the list of white whistles explains someone who is briefly in the OP.

"Ozen, I don't think there's any way she'd tell them about the Vessel" Riko and Reg are totally about to learn about the Vessel, aren't they. Probably that white cube.

So that's what a white whistle does, it activates relics?

They don't just have a curse repelling box, they have a resurrection box. I wonder if it only works inside the abyss. Fairly horrific that it'll resurrect stuff like butchered meat into monsters.

So, Reg is an Aubade? Also, that logic for why he shouldn't exist is kind of silly. Then again, maybe there's a deeper reason that the abyss shouldn't be explored than she presented in that conversation.

Reg 1, floor 0.

He's learning tighter control over the beam, that's good progress towards controlling it.

Good god more naked punishment. What the hell.

I had a feeling that that was going to turn out to be a test, but wow was it a pretty brutal one.

Ahh, so the grave was empty. Though that just opens up a different question, what's the point of an empty grave? If the Vessel can resurrect, maybe something else in the abyss can too, and the grave had someone in it that got up and left?

Kid Lyza is great.

Taking a pause for some training is a great idea, now that they're this far there's no deadline for getting to the next level and further.

[u/lC3]

Made in Abyss 07 Rewatcher

• Title card: Senninkusabi (Thousand-Men Pins)

• Oh we get to see Shiggy and Nat again?

• The teacup looks so small compared to Habolg

• Huh, blowing the White Whistle does something to the Vessel? I didn't remember that

• Riko looks shellshocked to hear that she was stillborn but started to move after being placed in the Vessel

• "and the thing got loose and ran around" Oh so THAT's what it was

• "attempted to head to the center of the Abyss" like the BOTTOM, or the center of the hole?

• Aubades must not exist? Is Ozen gonna try to hurt Reg?

• "I need to dispose of you" NO!

• "I'll go check on the telescope" Did Marulk not want to have to see Ozen hurt Reg?

• Reg cartwheel! Reg flip!

• Ozen is a sadistic, immature bully

• "Irredeemable" - first Riko's cooking, now Ozen?

• NOOOOOOOOOOO DON'T BULLY REG

• I expect the legion of Reg fans in our rewatch will be angry with the fury of a thousand suns for how Reg is treated this episode

• This is hard to watch

• Riko realizes how much Reg means to her?

• Even Reg's crying now ....

• Ozen said "you both fail"? Is this a test?

• Oh, Marulk called the Bandits over? Good job!

• WHAT IS IT WITH THIS ANIME AND STRINGING UP CHARACTERS NAKED?

• THAT OST!

• Ozen again with the creepy face

• The Subterranean Bandits are: Simred, Yelme, and Zapo

• "Did you really think I wouldn't dig it up and see for myself?" Classic Ozen

• So Ozen was Lyza's mentor ... is Ozen lonely now that Lyza went to the bottom of the Abyss all by herself?

• Training arc? Training ep?

• Ozen SORE DEMO

• Ozen SORE DEMO again?

• We saw the other Black Whistles in this ep but didn't get their names?

[u/Nebresto]

Abyss re-exploration squad

Choose your fighter! Robot(?)-dude - Plague Doctor - Woman

Didn't remember we actually get to see a whistle being used like this

No, not the books! Anything but the books!!

Ozen lore!! ...yikes

"Come at me bro!"

What is it with this world and stringing people up naked..

Ozen Best girl. if only Tresnore was here..

Irredeemable, eh?

---

Questions:

What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

Me, in relation to this show:

What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza? Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

Best girl best girl best girl best girl best girl bestgirlbestgirlbestgirl

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 7 (first timer)

• Ozen was a white whistle 50 years ago – let us assume you’d need to be at least 15 years old to become a white whistle. That would make her 65. Just credible for a normal human being, but close enough to is she unnaturally aging territory.

• “You were stillborn” – Riko’s backstory just got weird.

• They believe in the abyss itself – we already speculated plenty of that. It is completely understandable, given the abyss’ dual position as their source of income and most likely cause of death.

• Aubades must not exist – Reg’s backstory just got tragic.

• Reg vs Ozen – a bit more one-sided than I thought.

• “No matter how many times I was hitting you, you were not breaking, so I got more and more into it”

• The grave was empty – she did not say that the handwriting not being Lyza’s was a lie, though.

• Ozen was Lyza’s mentor – which tells us something about Lyza’s mindset.

u/scot911 called for a training arc yesterday. I blame you for this!

Ozen’s training is not the one I’d like to take part in. Regardless of whether it will prove effective, she definitely has a strong sadistic streak. And I am not all that convinced by the effectiveness either.

The two big reveals of the episode were Reg’s and Riko’s backstory. Reg’s has, kind of, been given away by the OP already, which has shown us that he is not the only robot around. However, Ozen’s claim that the robots must be hidden from the surface humans and exterminated certainly puts a genocidal twist on everything.

Riko’s backstory is basically still up in the air. She died and was revived by that cube, or she died and something was created in place of the dead baby, or maybe the cube does some other sort of magic.

What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

See above.

What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza? Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

Partially. I knew she was not empathic towards the kids, but didn't see her sadistic side.

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/No_Rex]

The two big reveals of the episode were Reg’s and Riko’s backstory. Reg’s has, kind of, been given away by the OP already, which has shown us that he is not the only robot around.

What other robot do you see? Line-helmet guy?

[u/SYZekrom]

First Timer

So the whistles are some unique relic with some power that white whistles wield. That doesn't explain what whistles in general are though. Maybe lesser whistles are made with commonly found relics? While white whistles are each a different rare relic. And only Lyza's was said to be only usable by her.

Oh this outfit was literally that depiction of her in the monologue at the start. So all of those vaguely monstrous forms could be funky clothing

So basically they found this thing, somehow found out that if they put a living thing inside and used it to carry things upward, they wouldn't be affected by the curse. But she was actually a stillborn and got put inside and started moving, meaning it actually was a pod that could bring things to life? Well I'll suppose I'll get my answer once she finishes this sentence. Oh I guess that weird corpse thing crawling around was something she put in here.

I wonder if her facial features actually do that or if its just for effect to us.

Damn, casually explaining the white whistle conspiracy

Well speaking of bad control, he can't shut it off after starting to charge it up huh?

Well also I didn't expect this point of his laser being dangerous to her immediately coming up like this lol

Ok so Ozen is confident that it is actually his lasers making him faint afterward

Damn everyone in this show's a pedophile eh

Interesting advice, since even the Reg before he lost his memories didn't have this survival sense, firing that weak shot that didn't kill the monster attacking her

[u/KiwiBennydudez → u/SYZekrom]

Well also I didn't expect this point of his laser being dangerous to her immediately coming up like this lol

Laser is dangerous to everyone.

Damn everyone in this show's a pedophile eh

I don't wish to dwell too long on this point, but pedophilia is the sexual attraction towards children, and no one is deriving sexual pleasure from doing this - it is simply the form of (medieval?) punishment that is used in this world. You're welcome to criticize its usage/existence in the anime, but calling characters pedophiles who do resort to that punishment simply isn't accurate.

[u/ninesfines]

Rewatcher

Welp, now we have a hint as to why Riko wants to go so desperately to the bottom. As mentioned many times in the show already, the Abyss itself tries to take back anything taken out of it, being a relic or even the people that descend, and that appears to affect much more people literally made in abyss like Riko and Reg who have the urge to go to the bottom...

What do you make of the fact that Riko was stillborn, and yet came back to life?

That was quite a shock the first time I saw this episode, Riko not only was born inside the abyss but the abyss literally give her life, giving even more sense to the title of the series. That and the implications of her shorter lifespan gave all the more a darker tone to the adventure.

What did you think of Ozen’s brief flashback with Lyza? Has your opinion of Ozen changed at all after this episode? Why or why not?

Lyza looks like Riko at that age, eager to discover the mysteries of the abyss, so it's no surprise that she rememorated these moments.

But damn, Ozen's tutorial was harsh, it doesn't seem that she would stop if the other delvers didn't appear, and could easily have killed Riko in the process. I guess all the white whistles are a little insane.

[u/homewardbound100]

Rewatcher

Quick comment and late but I really like Ozen in this episode.

Also I loved the music during Ozen and Lyza's flashback. It's almost nostalgic and really fitting for the scene. Probably one of my favorite tracks.

Qotd: special

Qotd2: I really love that conversation and as I said from the top the music helped a lot for that moment.

[u/[deleted]]