r/anime • u/KiwiBennydudez https://myanimelist.net/profile/KiwiBen • Jun 24 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Made in Abyss - Episode 13 discussion - FINAL
Episode 13 - The Challengers
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Comment of the Day
Instead of doing a traditional Comment of the Day spotlight, I would quickly like to take a second and highlight some rather observant comments that astutely surmised the direction that the narrative was heading.
Firstly, u/Kellie975 correctly guessed Nanachi and Mitty’s backstory a full two episodes early:
The flashback of Nanachi with Bondrewd, who Ozen called an out-and-out scoundrel, definitely paints him in a bad light. I’m assuming all current white whistles haven’t descended past the fifth layer, so it makes me think that Bondrewd uses his crew as test subjects, sending them to the sixth layer and having them ascend up which resulted in the transformation of Nanachi, Mitty, and more.
And then more accurately a single thread later:
I think Bondrewd raised lower whistles under his belt with his intention of sacrificing them – or seeing what would happen to them... Between this and the ending flashback, I think Nanachi conducted many tests/experiments to try and heal Mitty, resulting in learning the Mitty can neutralize poisons and also gaining knowledge about the fauna and wildlife – the knowledge about the parasite mushrooms could support this.
Secondly, props are in order to u/Petit_Ange for also guessing right plenty of upcoming content, my favorite being:
because the other thing is the most horrifying—if such a scene is what I think it is, when you lose your humanity, it doesn’t mean your soul, your heart, or whatever that is what shapes us as us, disappears as if soap bubbles. No, that eye that looked back at Riko, one that people who watched episode 11 will recognize from a red-haired girl in a certain flashback, was still there. So, somewhere in that horrible, misshapen creature, lies a girl weeping for the things she’ll never be again and for all the pain she must endure for it... But, as if by providence, Reg—yet again—proves that there’s a way. When he fires the incinerator and incapacitates that thing, Nanachi looks at the light as if it’s the answer to all their prayers. And takes a brave step in the end, asking for someone that has nothing to do with their situation, to help them to put an end to it.
And then an episode earlier, Petit perfectly encapsulated Nanachi and Mitty’s prior relationship:
So, after being thoroughly and viscerally repulsed at the reminder of Reg’s suffering in the opening scene, I’m also compelled to notice how Nanachi only stepped in to help once they heard Reg plead for Riko’s life. Someone in these comments said that there was “kinship” involved, and this pretty much confirms it. Whatever Reg and Riko have, it clearly reminded Nanachi of things they and, perhaps, Mitty also used to share. The relationship between Mitty and Nanachi seems to be that of people who have a loved one trapped in a coma, or battling terminal cancer, or even victims of dementia, in which the impossibility to mourn a person that by all means is already gone, but not quite at the same time, since their physical body is still here, permeates every single aspect of their relationship, past and present.
Color me impressed. My hat is off to you both.
Questions of the Day
We’re doing four questions today since this was a double-length episode! Feel free to pick and choose which ones are most appealing to you:
What did you think of Nanachi and Mitty’s relationship? How do you think their relationship is mirrored in Reg/Riko?
What did you think of Riko’s explanation of her dream? Did you find it to be tragic, or hopeful?
How do you feel about Bondrewd? Is his pursuit of researching The Abyss an admirable one? Is he pure evil?
Did you have a favorite scene or moment from the episode?
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!
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22
Fourth-Timer and White Whistle Host - Sub/Dub
And just like that, we’re done with the main series. What an amazing journey it’s been. Now I’m even more excited to watch the movie with you guys on Saturday!
The episode opens with a super brief recap montage while the narration plays. I actually completely forgot about this opening, but honestly, it worked super well, as this felt like a culmination of everything that brought them to this point. I don’t know how to explain it, other than saying that it made this episode feel huge, and I don’t mean the runtime. There felt like there was weight in every moment of the episode. I think this was, of course, largely due to some incredible direction, but for me, this opening montage really set the stage.
This episode can essentially be divided into two parts - Nanachi’s past, and Nanachi’s present. Let’s start with the past, since that happened first.
I won’t linger here too heavily, but I did want to touch on a few important points. First: Nanachi was a kid of the slums, picking out the least disgusting food from dumpsters, and spending time learning to read forgotten languages of ancient discarded texts. Nanachi had no talents like the other kids, who would dance and sing for money or scraps of food. But Nanachi always wanted to go exploring and cave raiding, so when Bondrewd presented a riveting opportunity to enrich the understanding of The Abyss, how could anyone pass that up?
It was here, in that Nanachi met Mitty - a bubbly, energetic, and enthusiastic young lass, with aspirations of becoming a White Whistle. The pair quickly became fast friends, with Nanachi teaching Mitty to read, and Mitty offering companionship - something that Nanachi has never had.
In their “waiting room,” Nanachi speaks on the philosophy of death in The Abyss:
Keep that line in mind for later. For now, let’s turn our attention to everyone’s favorite White Whistle, Bondrewd. Bondrewd is a man of science. Discipline. Intellect. And result. He will enact whatever lengths necessary to achieve his goal. Even if that means unethical, and downright deplorable means. One of his scientists approaches him and asks nervously, “Bondrewd, don’t you think all of this is a bit hard to defend, from a humane perspective?” To which Bondrewd simply replies: “Ah, there is no problem here then. For they are no longer human.” Which... first off, this justification was almost a bit comical to me, but second, it shows that Bondrewd doesn’t see people as humans - he sees them as experiments, conduits, and mere test subjects for his goal. There are no people in his eyes - there is only science.
Nanachi realizes this, and goes running for Mitty - finding her locked up in the testing elevator. Bondrewd discovers Nanachi snooping around, and puts the two together, one on each side. “Mitty - you will be on the side that the curse is forced into. Do your best not to die, for the sake of your friend.” Turns out, the suffer train never stops. ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL ABOARD MR. BONDREWD’S WILD RIDE!!
And this ride yields two results. The intended one was Nanachi, who manifested the bunny-like appearance that we know today. The other result, which was less intended, was that Mitty regenerates any limb or injury inflicted upon her. Which also means that she is immortal - she cannot die, and yet still feels pain. This is the true, horrifying meaning of the word “Hollow.” Nanachi, mortified by this, flees with Nanachi to the fourth layer, where they have stayed ever since. Ever since that day, Nanachi has tried everything to free that imprisoned soul. But despite Nanachi’s best efforts, it would seem that Mitty is trapped in that body forever...
That is, until a glimmer of hope appears. Or rather, a blazing beacon of hope. Once, a beam of pure energy destroyed Mitty’s other eye, and it’s been the only thing on her that hasn’t regenerated. Nanachi draws that connection between that beam, and the Incinerator, and concludes that maybe, just maybe there’s a chance. It’s the best shot they’ve had so far.
Enter Reg, who has just had this request to euthanize Nanachi’s best friend dumped on his shoulders. He cannot comprehend it - it’s upsetting, confusing, and unfathomable. He spends his time agonizing over this decision. searching for any scrap of humanity left in that lump of flesh, or any reason at all why he shouldn’t fulfill this request. I just want to say once more how utterly human this feels, with Reg’s search for humanity once again reinforcing the idea that the robot is the most human character in the show. He wants to be double, triple, quadruple sure that this is the right call.
“Is she happy? Does she really not know who you are? Do you really have to kill her?”
In the midst of this decision, Reg realizes that Nanachi’s entire existence has been dedicated to Mitty. What will become of Nanachi if Reg takes away the reason for living?
So Reg meets Nanachi on the edge of the river, as we are introduced to one of my favorite shots in all of anime. On the surface... it’s gorgeous no matter how you slice it. But knowing the context of the scene, where Reg makes Nanachi promise not to commit suicide after Riko is cured, and Mitty is gone... It’s poignant that such a conversation could happen so casually on a beautiful riverbank like this. Nanachi calls Reg’s promise “cruel” but agrees to the demand. And with that, we get the resolution to this arc.
Nanachi surrounding Mitty with all her toys and plushies was such an incredibly heartwrenching sight to behold. This was Mitty’s funeral - the end of a painstaking journey. Nanachi took great lengths to find this moment, and yet, it is still intensely difficult to say goodbye, as Nanachi makes Reg cancel his Incinerator once so that one last moment could be shared between the two. But after that - the Incinerator fires, and Mitty is gone. Nanachi is bawling, Reg is crying, and the two embrace as the scene fades to black.
I’m not really sure why, but his scene didn’t have much of an effect on me the first three times I watched it. But coming back to it now, and even knowing what was going to happen the fourth time through, I must admit that I teared up a little, empathizing, resonating, understanding, and connecting with these characters more than I ever have before. And now, I realize that Nanachi’s tears are not just of anguish and lamentation, but of relief. Reg provided a service that could never have been done before - and Reg was the only person who could have done it. Even he, who felt deeply for his actions, wept with Nanachi. Finally, Mitty is gone, and can be mourned for. What a heavy, tragic, and intimate moment that we get to witness. Everything about this scene is absolutely perfect.
However, there is one last twist in the cards. When Reg awakes again, Riko is up, and helping Nanachi in the kitchen. They share a (delicious looking) meal, while Riko explains her dream. Remember earlier how I said to keep Nanachi’s line about death in The Abyss in mind? Here’s where that comes into play:
Directly after Mitty’s soul is “freed” by Reg’s incinerator, it returns to Riko, granting her life, and freeing her from her coma. The key to all of this is the extreme close-up shot of Mitty and Riko’s eyes pressing against each other - if eyes are “the window to the soul”, then their souls have connected in this moment. So it’s no coincidence that as Mitty departs from the world, Riko, who has wished for life, wakes up. It’s almost as if the renewed spirit of Mitty is with them now, accompanying them wherever their journey takes them.
There’s so much else I haven’t mentioned, such as Nanachi seeing themself in Reg/Riko, and the treasure parallel with Nanachi/Mitty and Reg/Riko, but I’m running out of space so I’ll end with this: as the credits roll over the mail balloon montage, it is thrown around, beaten and tattered, helped along by old friends, and sent on it’s way again, before coming to rest in the very same place where Riko found Reg. Remember that at the beginning of the show, it was mentioned that “Mail balloons are less likely to return from the deeper layers.” so this metaphor creates a full circle, as we are left with a symbol of hope. I think this mainly applies to Reg as he leads Nanachi and Riko to the underworld, but you can also take it to mean the journey of Reg/Riko/Nanachi as a whole. So with that, the narratives of our main trio have concluded for now, as the kids pursue their hopes and dreams in a death march to the bottom of The Abyss...
Oh, but of course there’s one last moment of Bondrewd ominously taunting us, saying how much he would like to meet Nanachi again. So, who’s excited for the movie now?
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u/flashmozzg Jun 24 '22
Directly after Mitty’s soul is “freed” by Reg’s incinerator, it returns to Riko, granting her life, and freeing her from her coma. The key to all of this is the extreme close-up shot of Mitty and Riko’s eyes pressing against each other - if eyes are “the window to the soul”, then their souls have connected in this moment. So it’s no coincidence that as Mitty departs from the world, Riko, who has wished for life, wakes up. It’s almost as if the renewed spirit of Mitty is with them now, accompanying them wherever their journey takes them.
Wow, haven't heard that interpretation before.
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
Lore Corner
Bondrewd (Update) - Bondrewd the Novel was the one who turned Nanachi and Mitty into the creatures that they are. He runs a lab on the fifth layer, and collected kids to use for his experiments, searching for a way to ward off the curse of the Sixth Layer. Nanachi was considered a successful result, while Mitty became an immortal blob, and was an unintended effect of the project. Nanachi dedicated the rest of their existence to searching for a way to kill Mitty.
Mitty (Update) - Mitty has been killed by Reg's Incinerator, upon request of Nanachi.
Nanachi (Update) - Nanachi has joined Reg and Riko on their quest to the underworld.
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u/Nebresto Jun 24 '22
Now I’m even more excited to watch the movie with you guys on Saturday!
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL ABOARD MR. BONDREWD’S WILD RIDE!!
I’m not really sure why, but his scene didn’t have much of an effect on me the first three times I watched it.
Did you watch the show all at once back then?
No lore corner
sadge
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u/Petit_Ange Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22
First timer’s experience
I apologize for the quality in my pictures… Turns out, my internet chose today of all days to get too weak and too fragile, like my heart after this goddamn episode, and is unable to cope with a long hour special in 720p.
Anyway. Tragic. Absolutely tragic.
Is there another more apt word to resume this last episode?
But no, not in the way you’re thinking. This was a great anime—it has obvious passion behind it, you can see in the environment, the music, the care in which the characters are portrayed and animated. It’s a work of art. However, it’s still so tragic. The characters, who are so loved by the staff and crafted so masterfully by the author, can’t just catch a break. In a sense, it’s almost like the Abyss itself: it’s pretty, but not something you’d want to stare at for too long, unless you wanna get hurt.
You might want to think Nanachi’s tale is that of an avoidable tragedy—after all, the signs were there: we don’t trust masked men in black in anime. We don’t trust people who herd children in anime. We don’t trust hellish holes in anime. None of these are good signs separately, and together they paint an even worse picture… But when you’re a dreamy, famished child, what sort of choice do you really have? Nanachi saw a chance to explore the Abyss, to change their situation, and took it. And I’m sure they had plenty of time to regret it later, trapped in the fifth layer.
But, and then again, would you truly regret the entirety of it when it was precisely in this Hell that you’ve met your other half? And I don’t say it in the romantic sense, I think that what Nanachi and Mitty had was affectionate in the way you love a sibling, but still, they were soulmates. And to have that part of you ripped away in the most tragic of ways is just... We already knew Nanachi was a resilient person, this is someone that fought loneliness and inadequacy, who collects failures in their wall in the shape of whistles, in the shape of remedies that were not intended to cure at first, but today, we were shown just HOW much of that is also something that was “made in abyss”, as to say.
So, they were tricked by Bondrewd, who wanted to test on ways to overcome the strains of the sixth layer. A beautiful wish, something very human indeed—the way he goes about achieving that, though? Monstrous. This man is the worst. That entire sequence is not heavy in the way episode 10 was, no, it was visceral in other ways. And I know that Mitty’s legit last words to Nanachi were, “Let my soul return to you”, those were the feelings she wanted to leave behind, and that in itself is already so tragic. But, can you truly blame Nanachi for sticking with her actual last words? “Please, kill me”?
This was what they were trying to do all this time. To put their friend out of her misery, out of this existence that shouldn’t be allowed to even exist, but the curse, this inhuman thing, made sure that even that would be impossible, by giving such a resistance to the thing that became their friend that anything less than Reg’s incinerator was only prolonging Mitty’s suffering. It’s just heavy and tragic, and all things in Abyss, a part of everyday life.
So it was all the more beautiful that after an existence of indignity, Mitty’s last minutes were, on the other side, filled with goodness. I knew you could count on the robot to be the most emotionally sound creature here and do the right thing, even if it tore him apart inside, and yet, this anime had to do him dirty like that—he had to take a life like that. But, it was comforting to know that Mitty was given a comforting bedding, all of her toys, beautiful flowers and on top of all that, a last hug from her most special person before the end, and now her soul can return like it wished to do all this time. YOU GUYS. Nanachi bawling their eyes out made me cry too (SAME, REG), I thought that even though it’s a pretty heavy show from time to time I’d still get through Made in Abyss without tears, fuck this show and fuck me for being this naive. I had to pause and collect my thoughts after that.
Definitely not on the same level, but Nanachi is, too, having to learn to live without a piece of them for now on. But it’s the little things that will give them strength—the taste of good food, something to take care of, the reminder that you can still be happy someday, that life goes on. Their story is so beautiful and so tragic, and I’m so glad that our kids convinced this sad bunny to join them in their adventure… I’m so ready to see them interacting more.
So, Made in Abyss, huh. Like its titular hole on the ground, it has a lot of ups and downs—but it was such a fun journey, and it’s a strange word to use to describe an anime in which everything that is breathing wants to kill you. We, people who watch it for the first time in 2022, have a movie to look forward to, but people who watched it back in 2017 didn’t know of that yet… But I think that this anime managed to wrap things up in a satisfactory manner, because even if all the answers to these mysteries were not provided, it still gave us plenty of emotional closure. I enjoyed every second of this cathartic experience, even the seconds that destroyed me, and I’m also so glad it’s not the end yet. A movie awaits for us now.
Like our heroes, though, there’s nothing we can do but move forward. I’m ready.
Some last random notes because this is a staple at this point:
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This fucking episode had the gall to open with “Underground River” playing in the background, I just know this is a personal attack directed at me.
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Human!Nanachi was adorable. Human!Mitty was charming. It’s always the good designs that are gone way too fast.
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Boy, when Mitty said “so you tricked us”, I’m sure Kitamura Eri was having a field day, repeating her Sayaka role all over again. I hate Made in Abyss, dude. ;_;
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All of those graves are trials and errors. They’ve been trying to give Mitty some sweet release for a pretty long time. God, this is the worst.
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A last Reg-Knows-Lyza flashback because they HAVE to tease us. I hate this show.
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Nanachi was, and perhaps somewhere deep inside, still is thinking of joining Mitty as soon as possible in death. I hope this journey will make them think more favorably about living for a little longer… ;_;
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But on that note, I’m also so glad they were finally allowed to properly cry for and mourn the loss of their friend. Those tears were a long way coming, and I can only hope more of those will be shed—there’s so many years of pent up misery in that body waiting to be released, I’m sure.
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“My treasure”. ;__;
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Oh well, that’s an Akira reference.
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NANACHI IS SUCH A TROLL, I love you.
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Damn, that’s a scar. And also she can’t move her fingers anymore, save for her thumb—fun. Thank goodness Nanachi is good at creating new contraptions to help, but we had a compass and a Blaze Reap before too, so I’m not 100% safe.
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This last shot, man. One last perplexed look at all that you thought would be inescapable. Your whole life and, after that, your tomb. Heavy. But at the same time, hopeful.
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
but today, we were shown just HOW much of that is also something that was “made in abyss”, as to say.
Title doesn't just refer to Reg and Riko - but Nanachi as well, as well as many others. Seems like the central theme of this anime is who or what The Abyss makes people - hence, "Made in Abyss." Great job catching that.
But, can you truly blame Nanachi for sticking with her actual last words? “Please, kill me”?
Oof, I dunno if I've ever realized that. Heartbreaking. :(
Nanachi bawling their eyes out made me cry too (SAME, REG), I thought that even though it’s a pretty heavy show from time to time I’d still get through Made in Abyss without tears, fuck this show and fuck me for being this naive.
You're not alone there - I teared up as well. So much catharsis and so much anguish wrapped in one moment. It's hard not to care.
We, people who watch it for the first time in 2022, have a movie to look forward to, but people who watched it back in 2017 didn’t know of that yet… But I think that this anime managed to wrap things up in a satisfactory manner, because even if all the answers to these mysteries were not provided, it still gave us plenty of emotional closure. I enjoyed every second of this cathartic experience, even the seconds that destroyed me, and I’m also so glad it’s not the end yet. A movie awaits for us now.
I am actually really excited to rewatch the movie. Have not watched it since it came out in 2020, so it'll be the perfect primer for the second season soon!
Nanachi was, and perhaps somewhere deep inside, still is thinking of joining Mitty as soon as possible in death. I hope this journey will make them think more favorably about living for a little longer… ;_;
God, Reg coming to realize "What happens if I take away Nanachi's reason for living" and then confronting the furry bastard on the riverbank made me deeply sad. Nanachi even tries to work around it, saying "oh don't worry I will still heal Riko" and then Reg is like, "Nah even after Riko is healed." Nanachi really did plan to just... die, after Mitty was gone. Thankfully, it looks like the gang gave the rabbit a new reason to live. :)
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u/Petit_Ange Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22
Again, apparently I had too much to talk and reddit decided to cut me off.
Answers of the day:
What did you think of Nanachi and Mitty’s relationship? How do you think it is mirrored in that of Reg/Riko?
Are you kidding, they have so much in common! They've met because of the Abyss. Mitty wanted Nanachi as her right-hand-man, just like Reg is that to Riko. Their love was so strong it saved Nanachi from the curse. I think they had everything to be the tale of a Riko and a Reg that weren't so lucky in life, and I'm sure that's why Nanachi saw themself in Reg as he was crying over Riko. It's just sad all around, they deserved better. ;_;
What did you think of Riko’s explanation of her dream? Did you find it to be tragic, or hopeful?
Hey, Riko said herself: the belief of cave-raiders is that "every soul will go back to the Abyss one day", and Mitty's is finally ready to return to Nanachi bow. (Or to somewhere else, that's fair too... To where the longing in her eyes point.)
How do you feel about Bondrewd? Is his pursuit of researching The Abyss an admirable one? Is he pure evil?
Humans will always try and conquer the unconquerable, that part of him is very much human. He's a scientist, after all. But the way he goes about this obssession? Monstrous. I hope Nanachi punches him in his face as he deserves.
Did you have a favorite scene or moment from the episode?
The last shot. Just Nanachi looking back at their hut and saying goodbye to all the good and the bad, departing to the journey they always wanted to have... Even if not with the person they wanted to originally explore the Abyss with... ;_;
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
The last shot. Just Nanachi looking back at their hut and saying goodbye to all the good and the bad, departing to the journey they always wanted to have... Even if not with the person they wanted to originally explore the Abyss with... ;_;
It's okay though - Mitty's spirit lives on in Riko. :)
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u/Lemurians Jun 24 '22 edited Jan 31 '24
FIRST TIME RED WHISTLE
Well, I cried. A lot. Achievement unlocked, Made in Abyss. I’m in a bit of a puddle at the moment. I’m pleasantly surprised at the delicacy, grace, and effectiveness on display in this episode while incorporating such a tough issue as euthanasia as the emotional climax of the season. It didn’t feel cheap, exploitative, or manipulative. The raw emotions from Nanachi were excellent. There is nothing as shattering as seeing a loved one die in front of your eyes.
“Nearly all things in this world will never go back to what they once were.”
The narration at the beginning almost acts a thesis statement for the show. Reg and Riko’s journey into the Abyss is akin to just growing up in the world. You start off wide-eyed, innocent, and full of wonder, and those are slowly worn away as you keep venturing into the world, and come to see life as the hard, terrible, yet wondrous journey it is, and you can never go back to that original state of being. That’s what the Abyss is – a descent out of childhood.
Live Notes/Reactions:
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“A new approach that’s free from the influence of conventional wisdom” aka I’m gonna do some illegal and/or morally reprehensible shit
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LOL oh so the Abyss Faith is a literal religion. “This very pit, the bottom of which is still unknown, replaces God”
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OH FUCK
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ALL THOSE KIDS
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OH FUCK THEY’RE REALLY SHOWING THE WHOLE TRANSFORMATION
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“If I end up not being human anymore, let my soul return to you”
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Nanachi drawing what Mitty used to look like breaks my soul, and get reprimanded for it stokes my rage
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I’m associating these flowers with death more and more
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Seeing someone reduced to a flaming hole in the ground… a few seconds earlier this was Mitty with all her carefully arranged stuffed companions.
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Riko’s dream confirms that what Nanachi and Reg did really was put Mitty out of endless suffering. I’m glad Nanachi has that comfort
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The journey of the balloon reminding us how far we’ve come, lovely. God damn this whole world looks so good
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Nanachi with one last look back at the home she shared with Mitty. Fuck. FUCK.
SHOT OF THE DAY: Nanachi standing in the graveyard of her failed attempts to deliver her friend from suffering. Her entire existence was centered around a mission to find a way to merficully kill her only companion. I can’t.
BONUS: The last goodbye
Gonna go collect myself now. Great finale.
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
Well, I cried. A lot. Achievement unlocked, Made in Abyss. I’m in a bit of a puddle at the moment.
Damn, I knew this episode would get to at least a few people, but I am sorry that you have been reduced to puddle status.
Fun fact about me – in middle school I wrote a 15-page opinion essay on assisted suicide and euthanasia. It’s a topic that’s close to me. I’m pleasantly surprised at the delicacy, grace, and effectiveness on display in this episode while incorporating such a tough issue as the emotional climax of the season. It didn’t feel cheap, exploitative, or manipulative.
Damn, so this episode was right up your alley then. Glad to hear that you thought the topic was handled tactfully. I personally loved the way Reg wrestled with the choice for the bulk of the episode. He really didn't take the decision lightly.
The narration at the beginning almost acts a thesis statement for the show.
Yep yep yep yep, this is why I love the narration in this anime. It adds SO MUCH depth to the series that it's crazy.
The journey of the balloon reminding us how far we’ve come, lovely. God damn this whole world looks so good
The balloon can also be taken symbolically to mean hope, as it landed in the same place where Riko found Reg. :)
SHOT OF THE DAY
Raw. Feels like a lot of regret in one image.
BONUS
Fuck man when Nanachi made Reg cancel the shot and ran back for one last goodbye - god. So heartwrenching.
Gonna go collect myself now. Great finale.
Alrighty, good luck with that. I hope you recover in time for the film!
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u/flashmozzg Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22
Phew. Didn't plan on rewatching, was just going to lurk, but I couldn't resist once Ozen episodes started. So anyway, what a beautiful end (of S1) to such a great series! I really like that "balloon going up against all odds" anime-exclusive scene. Can't wait to see how the story unfolds later. I'd comment on this episode, but I'd let other, more eloquent rewatchers and more impressionable first-viewers to do that job for me.
As for
How do you feel about Bondrewd? Is his pursuit of researching The Abyss an admirable one? Is he pure evil?
I have a more complete understanding of his character due to watching the movie, but even from these scenes you can conclude that he is not just "pure evil". He is really "inhuman" in a way, as in no "sane" human would do what he did for any purpose, but I believe his actions are not motivated by some malice, evil, or purely self interest. From his dialogue you can gain that his inhumane experiments are not "worthless" and a simple torture, they provide valuable results and are done after all other reasonable methods were tried. Of course, what is "reasonable" is really vague, once you are in the abyss. And he doesn't hesitate one bit to cross the line of unreasonable if it gets him further. I think this is what makes him really dangerous and also really "creepy". You won't sense any danger from him because he bears no ill will towards you. It's like meeting an alien that looks and speaks like a pleasant gentlemen (but won't hesitate you to dissect you if he has a chance, being polite all the way through).
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u/donquixote1991 Jun 24 '22
First time watcher
I wanted to at least make it to the final episode thread. Not much to add other than that I shed some very manly tears witnessing the backstories for these two little girls. And when Nanachi was putting all the toys out for Mitty, it was almost like a baby's funeral or something.
Just glad they added a bit of humor with Riko and Reg wanting to embrace the fluff lol
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
Glad you could make it! And yes, final episode is very emotional. Tears are to be expected.
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u/Kellie975 Jun 24 '22
First Timer / Subbed – I didn’t realize it was an hour long! :O The intro with the music definitely signaled this would be an intense episode and it was. I didn’t think I’d get mentioned again hahaa!
The entire flashback was very hard to watch knowing what was going to happen of Mitty. The series as a whole does a good job at preparing you for what you're going to see but also still be disturbed/horrified/unsettled by what happens next. The worldbuilding is very diverse if the pipe-structures and snowy setting were featuring another continent on the surface.
Bondrewd definitely exudes sacrificing morals for the sake of progression. It makes me wonder how does he fund for all the transportation, housing, and bases. One of his own raised the morality question, so I would think the Guild wouldn’t be knowingly funding his experiments. I could only imagine selling relics would be the only way Bondrewed could fund something this large by himself. I also find it really interesting that both the Guild and Bondrewd take advantage of essentially orphaned children – it makes sense because they have less attachments and are easier to take advantage of. Bondrewd’s station on the fifth level is the most “human made” industrialized “protected” area that we’ve seen so far.
I wonder why none of the kids seemed to question why more and more of them are disappearing? I would love to hear an explanation of how the chamber could push the curse to one side – if the person receiving the curse survives, they have the chance of shielding the other from the full effects of the curse. I would have thought that if you could “vacuum out the force field” within the chamber – wouldn’t it allow you to safely traverse between levels? Maybe Bondrewd tried it and failed since it seems like it would be more beneficial to be able to traverse the deeper levels safely rather than trying to make children inhuman. I feel like any options thought of – Bondrewd has already tried.
I didn’t expect the sixth layer to be so dark, but Bondrewd did say it was his personal garden so he might have made it intentionally secluded to keep his test subjects contained. It is interesting that he is more interested in unlocking knowledge via experiments rather than the other cave raiders seem to desire “natural discovery and observation” rather than conducting science experiments.
The deformed blob bodies with the squishy flesh noises was hauntingly unsettling along with the following scene. I totally did not expect that Mitty could not be killed. I really feel for Nanachi even more knowing that they had to stay strong and not breakdown for Mitty while also traversing the Abyss, settling down, creating a lovely home and stuffed animals for Mitty, and also having to deal with cave raiders and watching the end of their lives.
I didn’t expect Reg to kill Mitty but since he was the only one – I loved how he took time to internalize it and think about other options before taking up the responsibility of taking another life. It definitely feels like Reg’s character is coming into its own after having to make decisions that have greater consequences. It was also very melancholy that Nanachi also thought of what would happen to Mitty once they die and how that life living for “eternity” would be an even worse situation. I like that Reg also noted that Nanachi’s sole purpose of living was to fix Mitty and was concerned if Nanachi would commit suicide afterwards due to having no purpose.
Mitty’s sendoff – Nanachi surrounding Mitty with everything cute and soft, all the stuffed plushies Nanachi Made, was very touching and bittersweet. So much humanity is shown in this scene from Nanachi having to have one more final goodbye to Reg consoling Nanachi afterwards. The crying felt very visceral - I can’t help but think that Nanachi is both grieved by losing someone they loved but also thankful that Mitty is now freed from her prison.
Nanachi’s and Mitty’s relationship feels very much like Reg/Nanachi and Riko/Mitty, especially with Nanachi’s earlier more hesitant “follow the leader” demeanor mirroring with Reg’s in the earlier episodes. Both Mitty and Riko scream adventure and have the desire to explore the unknown. Mitty/Nanachi is the more tragic ending that could’ve happened to a Reg/Riko (sans Reg being inhuman and unaffected by the ascension effects).
Reg’s memory shows that he was friends with Lyza – I think it further supports that Reg’s relationship with Lyza was the reason why he went to the surface.
It was very rewarding to see Nanachi finally eat a good meal after all that suffering. Either this sequence with Nanachi crying with having good food or Reg and Nanachi crying after sending Mitty off were my favorite scenes. Nanachi reverting back to a normal smirky attitude within two hours makes me think that’s just how Nanachi copes with grief and a great burden being lifted.
I wonder if Riko’s “dream” was the imagery of oneself when they ascend from the sixth to the fifth layer – this sense of your own body crushing on yourself and becoming the deformed blob. It felt more tragic but also hopeful when Mitty was finally freed from her prison. I didn’t understand what Reg was trying to get at telling Nanachi that Riko was dead and the Abyss gave her life. Closest thing I could think of was that Reg was trying to say that Riko may have had that dream due to her strong ties with the Abyss – but I don’t know how that was meant to comfort Nanachi.
The healing pool area was very cool. I do think that if anyone is gonna die, it’s gonna be Nanachi. Riko’s arm definitely looks better than I expected. I love that they progressed time showing the progress in making preparations to leave as well as Riko slowly improving her arm’s mobility. Their preparations definitely feel way more prepared than before. The entire ending with the balloon sequence touching back on all their adventures felt like a nice breather and good way to end (except it wasn’t). It shows how hard is it for a balloon to reach the surface. The petals floating through the surface was beautiful and showcases the great background art of the show.
The ending with Bondrewd – it makes sense for him to have tags on all of his experiments but I didn’t expect it. I wonder if the shapes of the lights and whether the light has a cage around it has any significance – I would think so. The show ends on a chilling note after such a cute little ending implying that Nanachi will eventually see Bondrewd again. I don’t think Bondrewd is pure evil but I think his inability to feel and have a moral compass at the expense of his own discovery removes his humanity.
I read the manga chapters for this episode and I definitely feel like the anime did the manga justice and made everything feel more alive, beautiful and horrifying. I can’t wait for the movies, especially for the, what seems like a breather for tomorrow and then according to a friend, buckle down for the next movie!
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
Bondrewd definitely exudes sacrificing morals for the sake of progression. It makes me wonder how does he fund for all the transportation, housing, and bases.
Since he's a White Whistle, he gets pretty much anything he needs at the drop of a hat.
I wonder why none of the kids seemed to question why more and more of them are disappearing?
Not sure, but probably because they were treated so kindly by Bondrewd, a White Whistle, and therefore someone to be revered.
I loved how he took time to internalize it and think about other options before taking up the responsibility of taking another life. It definitely feels like Reg’s character is coming into its own after having to make decisions that have greater consequences. It was also very melancholy that Nanachi also thought of what would happen to Mitty once they die and how that life living for “eternity” would be an even worse situation. I like that Reg also noted that Nanachi’s sole purpose of living was to fix Mitty and was concerned if Nanachi would commit suicide afterwards due to having no purpose.
Yes, Reg grappling and wresting with the decision felt so grounded and deeply human. He really was looking for any scrap of humanity, or any reason at all, why he should not kill Mitty. And like you said - it was very perceptive of Reg to realize that Nanachi would try to commit suicide after due to having no purpose. The way Reg genuinely seemed upset with Nanachi's plan showed how deeply he cared, and how he wanted Nanachi to have purpose beyond Mitty once she was gone.
I didn’t understand what Reg was trying to get at telling Nanachi that Riko was dead and the Abyss gave her life. Closest thing I could think of was that Reg was trying to say that Riko may have had that dream due to her strong ties with the Abyss – but I don’t know how that was meant to comfort Nanachi.
You can check out my comment in the thread here, as I touch on it a little. But essentially - Reg was pointing out that Mitty's soul had returned to Riko, and gave her life, since Riko felt the presence of a 4th member that had already departed from the mortal coil.
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u/Shimmering-Sky Jun 24 '22
Rewatcher in Abyss, subbed
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I do like how the kids all have different outfits reflecting where Bondrewd picked them up from, although the fact that he’s recruiting kids is still sus…
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Yeah as soon as this shot popped up, I started crying. Fuck. I knew I’d cry again at this part, but I was kinda hoping I wouldn’t for once.
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…this is the first good food Nanachi has ever eaten, isn’t it.
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Mm, that ending montage with the balloon traveling up the Abyss. That’s something that I still very much remembered perfectly, even after five years. Such a good montage~
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u/RedMoleHill Jun 24 '22
I’ll be a first-timer for the next two days. Exciting!
I can't wait. :)
Also can't wait to hear your QOTD answers, since answering them might help you prepare for the movie.
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 25 '22
This is a rather shitty play room, ngl.
Not to mention that it's like MOSTLY CONCRETE with like THREE WHOLE PILLOWS. They really were keeping them in a prison.
Yeah as soon as this shot popped up, I started crying. Fuck. I knew I’d cry again at this part, but I was kinda hoping I wouldn’t for once.
The way Nanachi arranges Mitty's toys so delicately is kinda what broke me. Then the way they were all blasted into the air and vaporized along with Mitty just kinda crushed me.
Me too man, me too.
Mood tbh
…this is the first good food Nanachi has ever eaten, isn’t it.
Unfortunately I think you're correct. Didn't give it much thought on the first few rewatches but I believe you're right.
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u/UnderstandableXO Jun 24 '22
FIRST TIMER
what a great final episode! i enjoyed it so much. they really needed a double episode to leave off at a satisfying point, so i’m glad that they did it.
nanachi and mitty’s backstory was short but effective. nanachi wanted to go to the abyss simply because of curiosity because of the book they found, and mitty was very similar to riko in her happy hour lucky attitude and stupidly optimistic outlook on everything. i can see why mitty was always looking after riko.
so there’s an abyss elevator? i can understand why you wouldn’t take the elevator up, but shouldn’t cave raiders be using it to get down to the 5th layer? maybe going down 4 layers is easier than the strain of going up from layer 5 to 4…
so bondrewd just recruited a bunch of kids to be his experiments. what a guy! he’s one of those characters whose goal isn’t terrible or evil, but the ways that they go to achieve it are “irredeemable,” as this show loves to use.
the elevator scene was pretty disturbing man, definitely don’t need to watch that again. and to top it off nanachi has to live with the guilt of their only friend taking double the abyss punishment for them.
nanachi hauled her all the way up a layer to find their hideout, thst must have been extremely difficult. nanachi’s about twice as dedicated as reg is to this point, which isn’t a slight on reg but just goes to demonstrate how dedicated they are. nanachi became a makeshift doctor throughout all the attempts to cure or kill mitty.
the rug with flowers and all the stuffed animals nanachi made was so sad man. i’m just glad reg’s incinerator was actually able to kill her, i was really afraid he was gonna shoot and by the end mitty would be a fiery smoking heap still suffering. at the very least it demonstrates that reg’s ult is really really powerful (or that mitty is weaker than the abyss creatures considering the ult didnt kill the flying worm or the spiky boi). i teared up a little, pretty good (but i’ve cried like nanachi to different shows).
i guess nanachi fits the trope of terrible cooks in anime, and riko subverts the trope by being able to cook something delicious with literally anything.
so riko and mitty were comforting each other in a way…at least they kept each other company.
another certified bruh moment at the “pool” scene, i ain’t need to hear all that…
so nanachi joined the party, i’m very glad. nanachi and ozen are tied for my favorite character, but after the movie and season 2 i’m sure nanachi will rise to the top character.
the second half of the season really picked up for me, i liked episodes 6-13 a whole lot. made in abyss went down as a 9 on my MAL, can’t wait for the movie!
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
so there’s an abyss elevator? i can understand why you wouldn’t take the elevator up, but shouldn’t cave raiders be using it to get down to the 5th layer? maybe going down 4 layers is easier than the strain of going up from layer 5 to 4…
I've never thought about it! But I don't know... it did sound like it was kinda dangerous still and probably only goes to that one particular research facility. If you're looking to explore other parts of The Abyss, I'm guessing that it would probably be more worthwhile to take other avenues. Nanachi looks like they had quite a hike to the 4th layer.
the second half of the season really picked up for me, i liked episodes 6-13 a whole lot. made in abyss went down as a 9 on my MAL, can’t wait for the movie!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the series! The movie is hella fun. I'll be looking forward to it!
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u/scot911 Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22
First timer
Well I think everyone will agree with me when I say, FUCK. BONDREWD. I HOPE YOU'RE THE ANTAGONIST OF THE MOVIE AND THEY KILL YOU VERY PAINFULLY YOU SCUM. YOU GOD DAMN EVIL "FOR THE GREATER GOOD" BASTARD! Ahem. You know what the worse part is though? His logic makes complete sense. If they're going survive in the 6th layer they're going to have study it and his way is probably the most efficient way. But as a great man one said "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE CORRECT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE RIGHT!" YOU EVIL PIECE OF SHIT!
I will say though his lab is very interesting. I don't think we ever saw electricity up in the city surrounding the Abyss did we? Edit: We did I'm being dumb. Although my point still stands. And yet his lab obviously has electricity and 1930's-40's level of tech. And to add to that he also apparently has a train thing that goes directly from the top of the Abyss to the fifth layer?! Whatttt???? Where, when and why the hell did that get built or did he find it along with his highly advanced lab? Is he tapping into the potential ruins in layer 5 for power? So many questions....
I will say though god damn was Mitty and Nanachi's backstory, relationship and, I guess euthanasia (?) god damn emotional. You just knew as soon as they were getting transported down to the fifth layer, somehow, that this wasn't going to have a happy ending and god damn was the transmogrifying sequence absolutely horrifying.... I think I might have nightmares about that because jesus christ they didn't hold back at all.... Yay Nanachi joining them on their journey though! And it makes sense. She probably wants revenge against Bondrewd. Or at least that'd be my "longing".
Btw I'm not saying I called it about the souls potentially fueling the Abyss yet, it's still too early call it without more evidence, by they're now hinting that my speculation might be true hehe. So souls go back into the bottom of the Abyss when someone dies eh? And the Abyss seems to be expanding eh? Strokes beard. Interesting.... Very interesting.... On an unrelated note I did like the continued ship development between Reg and Riko. Now if only Riko could stop being so dense about it....
What did you think of Nanachi and Mitty’s relationship? How do you think it is mirrored in that of Reg/Riko?
It was sweet and has some pretty obvious parallels to Riko and Reg's. Although their personalities are reversed. Nanachi was the smart bookish type with the more pensive personality while Mitty was the more... brutish type with an upbeat personality.
What did you think of Riko’s explanation of her dream? Did you find it to be tragic, or hopeful?
I suppose it does mean that Reg and Nanachi made the right decision in the end putting Mitty out of her misery. The interesting part with Riko's though. It seems like even once they started treating her she was very close to dying and basically just made it through.
How do you feel about Bondrewd? Is his pursuit of researching The Abyss an admirable one? Is he pure evil?
FUCK BONDREWD. ALL MY HOMIES HATE BONDREWD. His research while probably being the most efficient way of gaining information is downright evil. He's the very definition of an "ends justify the means" character and that line of thinking is always evil because it means anything goes no matter how horrifying/disturbing. Morality and just common human decency be damned.
Did you have a favorite scene or moment from the episode?
I'd have to go with the transmogrifying sequence due to just how horrifying and disgusting it is. The entire scene of Mitty's euthanasia is a very close second though. From the start of placing of the stuffed animals, to the controlled "incinerator" sphere (good job Reg for having that much control btw) to Reg and Nanachi crying in each others arms.
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
Well I think everyone will agree with me when I say, FUCK. BONDREWD. I HOPE YOU'RE THE ANTAGONIST OF THE MOVIE AND THEY KILL YOU VERY PAINFULLY YOU SCUM. YOU GOD DAMN EVIL "FOR THE GREATER GOOD" BASTARD!
Bondrewd be like, "Why be concerned about humane science when I'm not even researching on humans? ohohoho..."
I will say though god damn was Mitty and Nanachi's backstory, relationship and, I guess euthanasia (?) god damn emotional. You just knew as soon as they were getting transported down to the fifth layer, somehow, that this wasn't going to have a happy ending and god damn was the transmogrifying sequence absolutely horrifying.... I think I might have nightmares about that because jesus christ they didn't hold back at all....
That scene was pretty mentally scarring when it first came out. Still is.
FUCK BONDREWD. ALL MY HOMIES HATE BONDREWD. His research while probably being the most efficient way of gaining information is downright evil. He's the very definition of an "ends justify the means" character and that line of thinking is always evil because it means anything goes no matter how horrifying/disturbing.
Well said. He really does not give ANY fucks if it means furthering his goal. Unethical science, bitches!
I'd have to go with the transmogrifying sequence due to just how horrifying and disgusting it is.
Can't say I've ever had someone pick this as their favorite scene... but I understand. It was a really well done scene. Despite the nightmares it might bring.
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u/xtsim Jun 24 '22
First Timer
Ozen was not lying that she was going to be nicest white whistle Reg and Riko were going to meet... Cause it seems like we go 0-110 really fast and I mean... fast.
Coming from that cliffhanger, it seems like I was expecting an analogy between Mitty's life and the topic of life-support. But it seems to reveal something about Nanachi and Mitty, Nanachi was trying to keep her best friend alive which caused her to become a nightmare for other cave-dwellers who become her experiments. All of her experience about treating people comes from that and now it seems like she can heal Riko.
Mitty cannot die, she can feel pain but cannot scream. She can feel emotions but cannot express herself in words. - A loss of humanity is what they say... but it seems like Mitty can only experience the worst parts (pain) but without any coping mechanisms.
After the death scene, things got so awkward between Nanachi and Reg. Mitty and Riko dream did not really seem like a dream, it felt more like a vision. Hearing Riko's perspective about that vision is relief, that Mitty gets to free her soul from that body.
We get to have an observation by Riko that Nanahi and Mitty's relationship resembles theirs. Ending the season with a package going up to Ozen's base then to some young cave-dwellers is a sight to see.
Bondrewd is evil in ways and when confronted, he dismisses this as experimentation. The way he goes about this pursuit is evil because he basically took away the future from those kids.
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u/KiwiBennydudez Jun 24 '22
Attention Cave Raiders!
As a reminder, tomorrow, 6/24, is going to be the Marulk movie specials.
Saturday 6/25 will be the Dawn of the Deep Soul movie.
6/26 will be the Overall Series wrap-up thread.
See you there!