Made in Abyss Chapter 001

Orth, Town at the Edge of the Abyss (大穴の街オース, Romaji: Oana-na-machi-osu) is the first chapter of Made in Abyss manga series.

Sypnosis
The chapter began with a girl, named Riko, describing a spherical object called “Star Compass”. Riko was shown to be standing at a window, looking at what appears to be a gigantic, bottomless pit, called “The Abyss”. She then proclaimed that the “Star Compass” actually points to the bottom of said “Abyss”. As Riko continued, her friends: Natt, Shiggy and Kiyui were watching her from nearby. They said that she was at it again, and that she had also done something similar on the day before, resulting in dropping the compass and having to chase after it, which embarrassed Riko. Natt then told Riko that one can easily tell which is top or bottom without requiring any compass, to which Riko wondered to Kiyui whether that was true. The four were then called to deliver some letters. Natt rushed off first, while mocking Riko for her playing with the compass earlier. Revealing that the compass was supposed to be turned in to their teacher, but Riko deliberately kept it, Natt taunts Riko that she could be punished again, distressing her. Riko managed to compose herself, then took Kiyui to delivering letters.

Later, at nighttime, Riko’s room – having another sign on it which reads: “Former Punishment Room” – was still brightly lit. She was preparing tools and equipments for a trip into the Abyss the next day. After making sure that all tools and equipments are ready, she dropped to bed. However, she did not sleep right away. Riko contemplated about what she would do the next day, and how she should convince her strict teacher, Leader, to allow her to excavate in deeper altitudes. She then thought of her mother, who was Leader’s teacher. Though she could not remember her mother’s voice or face, she nevertheless thanked her mother for giving her a chance to be able to become a Delver. The girl then fell asleep.

Early next morning, Riko awoke and prepared herself, then quickly left her home to begin her delving trip into the Abyss. As Riko began her trip, Kiyui was at home, and started reading a book about the Abyss. A narrative begins; the narrator explains the allure of the Abyss, as well as its currently known features, and how people have been exploring the great pit for 1900 years, since its discovery, to the formation of the city by the Abyss, Orth.

The scenes switched back to Kiyui, who was now soundly asleep. Nearby was Riko, having returned from her trip. She sat near a window, peering into the Abyss using a telescope. Riko then spotted a nest of Hammerbeaks. She was then surprised by an unknown aerial predator snatching a Hammerbeak from the air, and marveled at the sight of Hammerbeaks banding to fight off the predator. It was shown that Riko and Kiyui were in the house and spice shop of a woman named Lafy; she asked Riko about what the girl had seen on the telescope. Riko noticed that Lafy was reading a letter from her husband, Habolg, a well-known Black Whistle Delver, and asked about it. Lafy informed Riko that Habolg is about to enter the Inverted Forest of the Abyss’ 2nd Layer. Riko proceed to explain the features of the Forest to an impressed Lafy. Lafy then contemplated about her husband and Riko’s shared dream of becoming White Whistle Delvers, but was interrupted by what she thought to be a customer. The visitor turned out to be Shiggy, who told Riko they had to go back to their home for a briefing for Red and Blue Whistle Delvers. Riko went to pick up Kiyui, then said goodbye to Lafy and left. Riko and Shiggy then discussed Riko’s dream of becoming a White Whistle on their way back home.

Returned to her home, Belchero Orphanage, Riko listened to her teacher, Leader, briefing them about the new rules applied to their delving studies, which include delving alone in assigned areas. Then the head of the Orphanage, Belchero, spoke with the apprentice delvers. She emphasized that any of the valuable objects in the Abyss, called Artifacts, were to be turned in to the Orphanage if recovered, to provide funding for the Orphanage’s continued operation, and gave Riko a sharp glare while doing so, warranting punishment to any who disobeyed.

After the briefing, the apprentices were assigned delving areas. Riko was assigned the same place she delved the last time, driving her to try to convince her teacher to assign her a deeper one. However, Leader told her that it was not a good idea, and explained that delving in the previous area would be more efficient. Riko then explained her dream of becoming a White Whistle to her teacher, so that she could see her mother again. Leader, however, still disagreed, but he promised to allow Riko to delve in deeper areas if she manage to find artifacts with the most value on the next day’s trip.

Character Appearances
The following characters that appeared in this chapter (by order of appearance)
 * Riko
 * Natt
 * Shiggy
 * Kiyui
 * Lafy
 * Jiruo
 * Belchero
 * Habolg (mentioned)

Adapted to
This chapter was adapted into the first episode of the Made in Abyss anime series, with some changes to sereval details of the manga.

Unanswered Questions

 * Lafy's Backstory?

Quotes
"Riko while holding the star compass."

- The bottom of this star beckons to the depths of the abyss!