A review by cleopatravii
メイドインアビス 1 Meido In Abisu 1 by つくしあきひと, Akihito Tsukushi

5.0

A+ | Gorgeous and fantastic. Perverted as heck, but still drawn into the Abyss and wanting to dig deeper into this.

First of all, like many people, I was drawn to reading the manga because of the anime which I started watching because of Clemps' review. The anime was stunning, but I wasn't prepared for how visually stunning the manga is, too. I especially adore the little additions about the beasts and world that Akihito Tsukushi includes because they really do add so much to the world and understanding the world.

This first volume introduces us to the cast of characters but most importantly, to the Abyss. One of the things I adore is that while this manga (& the anime) seem cute, almost immediately, you get this sense of dread and creepiness. Having watched the anime, I know what ends up happening to Riko in one of the later episodes (I forgot which one), so I know how much worse it can get and how stomach twisting it can be. But this first volume essentially slaps people in the face gently, telling readers not to expect this to be a cute little story because these YOUNG characters aren't safe from the Abyss or its creatures.

Now, as to the sexual content. Again, having seen the anime, I expected it and from what I've heard, it's worse in the manga than in the anime. It's disgusting, especially when you realize Riko and gang are KIDS. This manga and the anime could have survived without the sexual content.

However!

The plot is incredible. Yes, this first volume is slow, but it's attempting to introduce readers to the world and it does a great job doing exactly that. It hooks you with the mystery of the Abyss, Riko's mother, and Reg. Although I know what happens up until the end of season 1, I still want to dive in deeper. I want MORE.

I will have to disagree with people in the review section that the kids should have been older. Their age is exactly what makes this so much more compelling and why it feels even more stomach-churning that Riko is so determined to go into the Abyss. It's one thing if these kids were almost adults and I would honestly shrug things off. But because Riko and Reg are so young (Riko especially), my heart aches and my stomach twists at the thought of all the stuff they're going to face in the Abyss. It makes it even more tragic because Riko has her whole life ahead of her, but she's determined to go into the Abyss, even if it means sacrificing her life and future.

As for Reg, who is he and what is he? Looking forward to finding this answer.