Made in Abyss - Recudžicu no ógonkjó

There’s no question that the second season of Made in Abyss is simply a treat. There were a lot of things I probably wouldn't normally want to see, things that sent chills down my spine and even made me slightly nauseous at times. And yet it all made sense, felt incredibly intense, and I perversely enjoyed it. I wouldn't have believed that, once a week, I would feel like a passionate masochist who’s just been to a BDSM dungeon, and that it would bring a happy smile to my face because of how great it all was. The series literally tortures the viewer mentally but wraps it up in a story so powerful, emotional, logical, and clever that you'll wish it would never stop. Akihito Tsukushi is probably a very complicated personality, a writer with a huge imagination and a talent for profound and well-thought-out stories with more than one deeper message. Then again, I couldn't help feeling that this guy has some serious personal issues. During some scenes, I literally pictured Akihito as a little schoolboy who hates all his classmates and kids in general with a passion, and in his room, night after night, he tears up all his cute stuffed animals into bits and pieces, pretending they’re people he knows. And then this kid grew up and started writing fantasy... Made in Abyss not only knows how to sell all the powerful and gory scenes without sugarcoating it or censorship (they're not there just for effect), but it contrasts them with moments that are absolutely beautiful, making them stand out even more. It's often a literal rollercoaster of emotions. One moment it’s sending chills down your spine and the next you’re smiling, ending up completely moved by it, all in one episode. You don’t need to fear being bored by the series. What’s more, the whole story is set in beautiful and skillfully drawn scenery, inhabited by creatures of all shapes and sizes. It is fantasy at its best, with places you wouldn’t encounter in the real world and creatures you have never dreamed of. I do have one minor quibble, which is that we don't actually see much of the Abyss this time around. The setting is the same most of the time, but the series made up for this deficiency with all its peculiar inhabitants and their stories. The music is also excellent. Kevin Penkin can be rightfully proud of his work on this series. He considers it his best work yet, and I cannot but agree. The music is literally on a cinematic level in the last two episodes. Kevin knows how to use the choir, orchestra, and vocals - creating an impressive score that adds to the intensity and emotion of each scene. The second season of Made in Abyss was an absolute blast for me. It’s a great example of what fantasy, adventure, and drama should look like, and proof that the contrast between beauty and repulsion can be the source of some truly powerful moments. At the same time, it's also an example of great writing. Everything makes sense and the two storylines intertwine and complement each other perfectly. Plus, there are many moral dilemmas to ponder, such as what people are capable of in order to survive, or what can be of value to a person... If you've read this far, you probably know how I’m going to rate this - 10/10. (28.09.2022) (menos) (más)