Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul
A continuation of the epic adventure of plucky Riko and Reg who are joined by their new friend Nanachi. Together they descend into the Abyss' treacherous fifth layer, the Sea of Corpses, and encounter the mysterious Bondrewd, a legendary White Whistle whose shadow looms over Nanachi's troubled past. Bondrewd is ingratiatingly hospitable, but the brave adventurers know things are not always as they seem in the enigmatic Abyss.
The film earned $5.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (2020) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Masayuki Kojima's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.9, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Riko
Reg
Nanachi
Bondrewd
Prushka
Main Cast & Characters
Riko
Played by Miyu Tomita
A determined Cave Raider searching for her mother in the Abyss, driven by curiosity and love despite overwhelming danger.
Reg
Played by Mariya Ise
An amnesiac robot boy with powerful abilities who protects Riko and struggles with his mysterious past and identity.
Nanachi
Played by Shiori Izawa
A wise Hollow who survived Bondrewd's experiments, serving as guide and protector with deep knowledge of the Abyss.
Bondrewd
Played by Toshiyuki Morikawa
A White Whistle known as the "Lord of Dawn" who conducts horrific experiments on children in pursuit of knowledge about the Abyss.
Prushka
Played by Inori Minase
Bondrewd's innocent and loving daughter who befriends Riko and Reg, unaware of her father's true nature.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Riko, Reg, and Nanachi descend through the fourth layer of the Abyss, continuing their journey deeper. The trio has become a functional team, working together to navigate the dangerous terrain.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The group arrives at Ido Front and encounters Bondrewd's Umbra Hands. They are forced to confront the reality that they cannot simply pass through—they must deal with Bondrewd, the White Whistle who tortured Nanachi and Mitty.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Riko decides they cannot leave without stopping Bondrewd's experiments. Despite the danger, she chooses to act, declaring they must free the children being used as Cartridges. This active choice commits them to confronting Bondrewd directly., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Reg seemingly destroys Bondrewd with his Incinerator blast, but Bondrewd survives by transferring to another body. False victory—they think they've won, but Bondrewd reveals the fight has only begun. The stakes raise: Bondrewd captures them and reveals his plan to use Prushka as his final Cartridge., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Prushka is transformed into a Cartridge before their eyes. The whiff of death: Prushka dies, her body and consciousness compressed into a Life Reverberating Stone. Riko holds her friend's remains—a small, crystallized whistle. This is the darkest moment: innocence literally destroyed, and they were powerless to stop it., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Riko realizes Prushka's sacrifice has transformed her remains into a White Whistle—Prushka still wants to help Riko achieve her dream. This realization synthesizes the theme: love persists through sacrifice, and they must honor Prushka by continuing forward. Reg awakens with renewed determination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul against these established plot points, we can identify how Masayuki Kojima utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Riko, Reg, and Nanachi descend through the fourth layer of the Abyss, continuing their journey deeper. The trio has become a functional team, working together to navigate the dangerous terrain.
Theme
Nanachi speaks about the nature of the Abyss and what awaits them at Ido Front, warning that "some things cannot be undone once you know them." This establishes the theme of sacrifice and the cost of pursuing one's dreams.
Worldbuilding
The group navigates the Garden of the Flowers of Fortitude. We learn about Nanachi's past connection to Bondrewd and the experiments conducted at Ido Front. The stakes are established: they must pass through Bondrewd's domain to continue descending.
Disruption
The group arrives at Ido Front and encounters Bondrewd's Umbra Hands. They are forced to confront the reality that they cannot simply pass through—they must deal with Bondrewd, the White Whistle who tortured Nanachi and Mitty.
Resistance
Bondrewd greets them warmly, creating cognitive dissonance between his fatherly demeanor and his monstrous actions. They meet Prushka, Bondrewd's daughter, who befriends Riko. Nanachi debates whether they should flee or confront Bondrewd. The group learns about the Cartridges—hollowed-out children used to mitigate the Curse of the Abyss.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Riko decides they cannot leave without stopping Bondrewd's experiments. Despite the danger, she chooses to act, declaring they must free the children being used as Cartridges. This active choice commits them to confronting Bondrewd directly.
Mirror World
Prushka's relationship with Riko deepens. Prushka represents innocence and love within Bondrewd's corrupted world—she loves her father despite what he is. This relationship will teach Riko about the complexity of love and sacrifice.
Premise
The team explores Ido Front and uncovers the full horror of Bondrewd's experiments. Reg attempts to fight Bondrewd but discovers Bondrewd's ability to transfer his consciousness between bodies. Multiple confrontations reveal Bondrewd's true nature and power. The promise of the premise—confronting the abyss's darkest horrors—is delivered.
Midpoint
Reg seemingly destroys Bondrewd with his Incinerator blast, but Bondrewd survives by transferring to another body. False victory—they think they've won, but Bondrewd reveals the fight has only begun. The stakes raise: Bondrewd captures them and reveals his plan to use Prushka as his final Cartridge.
Opposition
Bondrewd systematically dismantles the team. Reg is captured and studied. Nanachi is forced to witness echoes of Mitty's suffering. Bondrewd reveals his philosophy: that love and sacrifice are inseparable, and that his experiments are done out of love for humanity's future. The team's moral certainty is challenged as they realize Bondrewd genuinely loves Prushka even as he plans to sacrifice her.
Collapse
Prushka is transformed into a Cartridge before their eyes. The whiff of death: Prushka dies, her body and consciousness compressed into a Life Reverberating Stone. Riko holds her friend's remains—a small, crystallized whistle. This is the darkest moment: innocence literally destroyed, and they were powerless to stop it.
Crisis
Riko grieves over Prushka's whistle, processing the horror of what they've witnessed. Nanachi confronts the pain of losing another friend to Bondrewd. The team is emotionally shattered, questioning whether anything they do matters in the face of such evil.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Riko realizes Prushka's sacrifice has transformed her remains into a White Whistle—Prushka still wants to help Riko achieve her dream. This realization synthesizes the theme: love persists through sacrifice, and they must honor Prushka by continuing forward. Reg awakens with renewed determination.
Synthesis
Reg confronts Bondrewd in a final battle, using everything he's learned. The fight is brutal and visceral. Reg combines his original power with the lesson from Nanachi (understanding the value of life) and Riko's determination. They defeat Bondrewd's final form, though he will eventually regenerate. Bondrewd gives his blessing for them to descend, acknowledging their worthiness. They use Prushka's White Whistle to activate the altar and access the sixth layer.
Transformation
The trio descends into the sixth layer, the Capital of the Unreturned. Riko holds Prushka's whistle, transformed by the understanding that dreams require sacrifice, and that love persists even through death. They are no longer naive children but scarred adventurers who have confronted the Abyss's deepest darkness and chosen to continue anyway.