Exploring the Deepest Mysteries of Made in Abyss: The Curse, Creatures, and Deadly Diseases

Made in Abyss is a world filled with wonder and danger. Beneath its breathtaking landscapes lies a vast chasm known as the Abyss, which holds secrets and dangers unseen anywhere else. One of the greatest threats explorers face is not just the monsters and traps but the very environment itself—a mysterious and deadly phenomenon known as the Curse of the Abyss. Alongside this curse, strange illnesses, terrifying creatures, and transformations challenge anyone who dares venture into its depths.

This post will guide you through the darkest mysteries of Made in Abyss, focusing on the Curse, the Birthday Death Disease, transformations known as Narehate, the deadly Orb Piercer, and the deceptive parasite called Pseudo Water.

The Curse of the Abyss

Overview of the Curse

The Curse of the Abyss is not a typical magic spell or hex. Instead, it's an unavoidable and painful effect all explorers—called Delvers—face when ascending from the Abyss. The force field that fills the Abyss is a strange energy that surrounds everything within it. When someone tries to climb back up, their body reacts violently to the change in this force field.

This reaction isn't just physical. It also affects the mind, causing hallucinations, loss of sensation, intense pain, or worse. The Curse is known for its progressive effects, worsening dramatically based on how deep the explorer was.

How the Curse Works

Once a person ascends more than about 10 meters, their body begins to suffer from the Curse, and the severity grows depending on their previous depth. Here's a quick overview:

1. First layer: Mild symptoms, including dizziness and nausea.
2. Second layer: Stronger nausea, headaches, and numbness.
3. Third layer: Vertigo, hallucinations, and balance issues appear.
4. Fourth layer: Severe pain and bleeding from the body.
5. Fifth layer: Loss of senses—no sight, hearing, or touch.
6. Sixth layer: Mental breakdown, twisted bodies, and loss of humanity.
7. Seventh layer: Effects unknown, but ascending is believed to cause certain death.

The Force Field's Role in the Curse

The force field is an invisible but powerful energy that fills the entire Abyss. It's thought to react with the bodies of those attempting to ascend, causing pain and damage. Some believe this field is tied to the Abyss's very nature, making it impossible for explorers to return easily.

The force field affects each person differently, but always worsens the further down they go. The breakdown of physical and mental function signals that this field interferes deeply with the body’s biology and mind, making survival a race against time.

For more detailed insights into the Curse's progression, the Made in Abyss Wiki offers a comprehensive resource on how the Curse affects Delvers.

Symptoms of the Curse by Layer

First Layer Symptoms

At the first layer, the effects are generally mild. Explorers often experience dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Some may vomit or complain of general sickness, but these symptoms typically don't stop them from moving upward.

This early phase acts almost like altitude sickness but is caused by the Abyss's force field reacting with the body. Still, most Delvers can recover quickly with rest.

Second Layer Symptoms

The second layer intensifies symptoms. Nausea grows stronger, headaches worsen, and numbness can start creeping in.

Rico, a young Delver, fainted and vomited after encountering a monster here. This layer's Curse is dangerous enough to weaken even experienced explorers, making navigation and combat more difficult.

Third Layer Symptoms

The third layer introduces vertigo and hallucinations on top of the existing symptoms. Explorers can lose their balance easily and start seeing things that aren't there.

Rico's experience was frightening—she saw people who didn't exist and struggled to keep a grip on reality. With these symptoms, the danger goes beyond physical pain and enters the realm of mental instability.

Fourth Layer Symptoms

In the fourth layer, explorers face intense pain and bleeding from various parts of their bodies. Injuries become more severe, and hallucinations persist.

After escaping a creature known as the Orb Piercer, Rico suffered bleeding and agonizing pain, writhing on the ground while the Curse took its toll. The symptoms here can incapacitate even the strongest, making survival difficult.

Fifth Layer Symptoms

The fifth layer cuts deeper. Delvers lose their senses entirely — they can't see, hear, or feel anything.

This loss leads to disorientation, and some, like Rico, accidentally injure themselves before realizing it. However, those who spend enough time in this condition, such as Nachi, can slowly adapt. Others, like Prushka, suffer lasting mental and physical damage, including memory loss.

Sixth Layer Symptoms and Effects

The sixth layer represents a breaking point. The Curse warps bodies and minds. Explorers may lose their humanity entirely, with minds breaking down and bodies deforming.

Characters like Nanachi, who were experimented on by Bondrewd, were transformed into strange, non-human beings. Vueo experienced so much pain that she lost speech and eventually died from the transformation’s effects.

Seventh Layer Mysteries

Less is known about the seventh layer because ascending from it is believed to mean certain death. There’s only one recorded survival, but the knowledge was lost, leaving this layer shrouded in mystery and fear.

Rare Side Effects and Special Cases

The Blessing of the Abyss

In rare cases, a phenomenon called the Blessing of the Abyss can happen. It requires deep love and protection in the sixth layer. The protected person might lose their human body but retain their consciousness.

An example is Nachi and Miti—Miti became immortal, and Nachi gained the ability to sense the force field. Even Bondrewd gained special strength and senses through this process.

Abyssal Hair Curls

Another strange side effect is the appearance of abyssal hair curls seen on survivors of the deeper Curse, like Prushka. Scientists and explorers don’t know why this happens, but it’s related to exposure to the Abyss’s force field.

Persistent Headaches and Vision Damage

Sometimes the Curse leaves lasting effects like chronic headaches or vision problems. Rico is one survivor who needs special crystal glasses to deal with continual headaches caused by the Curse.

The Birthday Death Disease

Description and Symptoms

Another horrifying mystery near the Abyss is the Birthday Death Disease. This illness causes people to die on their birthday with no cure, regardless of their health.

Symptoms vary: some experience fever, some show poisoning signs, while others suddenly become critically ill. The one constant is death by the end of their birthday.

Early Public Reaction

At first, this was dismissed as a rumor. However, before explorers like Rico and Reg entered the Abyss, eight kids in Orth’s west district had already died from it on their birthdays.

Reported Cases and Community Responses

Several accounts surfaced:

• Local vendor Lafi mentioned losing customers this way.
• Jeruo told Mio about five orphans dying this way.
• More cases spread throughout Orth, raising alarms.

These deaths worried many, with the epidemic becoming impossible to ignore.

Only Known Survivor: Kiui

Kiui is the only known survivor. His recovery is credited to Mio, who removed him far from the Abyss’s influence. Once distanced, his fever ceased, and he healed quickly.

This suggests a direct connection between the disease and the Abyss’s power.

Historical Evidence

Skeletons 2,000 years old found near the first layer’s burial tower show signs of praying as death approached. Older tombs with remains over 4,000 and 6,000 years old exist deeper down, hinting this disease has plagued people for millennia.

Veteran explorer Ozen theorizes that those afflicted can only pray and hope for survival.

Shrajo’s Explanation from the Song of Haromari

Shrajo explains that the disease is called "the Breath" in an ancient scripture, Song of Haromari. It might be a hidden curse targeting people deemed "unflawed," though what this means isn’t clear.

This adds another layer of mystery about who the disease spares and why.

Narehate: Survivors of the Sixth Layer Curse

Definition of Narehate (Hollows)

Narehate are those who survive the sixth layer’s Curse but suffer severe bodily changes, often looking like blobs or strange creatures. They usually lose their minds and body function.

Many were subjects of Bondrewd's cruel experiments in a place called the Miniature Garden of Dawn.

Unique Cases Among Narehate

• Midi is an exception. She can’t be killed by normal means, needs no food or water, and heals from wounds easily.
• However, weapons like incinerators or sparmos cause lasting damage.

Blessed Narehate

Some Narehate keep their personality and brain despite their altered bodies. Usually, their new forms show animal-like traits such as claws or fur.

Examples include:

• Nanachi
• Bondrewd himself

Faputa: A Unique Narrative

Faputa differs from others. Born from IU Mui using all three Cradles of Desire, she has wild intelligence and a less controlled nature compared to Nanachi.

The Naratehate Community in Iruburu Village

In the village of Iruburu, some choose to become Narehate permanently. They take forms matching their desires, showing diverse shapes and materials.

Despite strange appearances, they interact socially and mostly behave like humans. Some, like Ma and Jurro, were never human but made from extra village value.

Shu: Secret Narehate Born in the Abyss

The Shu are a rare group born as Narehate in the Abyss, human in appearance and behavior, but treated as outcasts. Most Shu are killed at birth.

Juu and Their Beast Stones

Juu have a special "beast stone" near their hearts, often called the “awakening organ.” This organ enables them to control powerful tools in sync with White Whistle Delvers.

Famous Juu include Nishagora, Yataramar, and the Hailhex twins.

Societal Views on Narehate

On the surface, Narehate is seen negatively. Delvers often receive instructions to kill them and take their belongings, claiming it preserves their honor.

The Orb Piercer: Deadly Creature of the Fourth Layer

Description and Appearance

The Orb Piercer is a lethal creature found in the fourth layer. It looks like a giant porcupine with a body covered in venomous spines, sharp enough to pierce metal and very strong relic artifacts like the Scaled Umbrella.

Its round, red head has multiple holes that aren’t random. These holes house a sensory organ sensitive to the Abyss's force field.

Sensory and Combat Abilities

This organ allows the Orb Piercer to sense movements and intentions in the force field, effectively predicting enemy actions.

This “future sight” lets it dodge attacks and counter instantly, making it almost impossible to hit or escape. Its abilities are unmatched in the fourth layer.

Territorial Behavior

The Orb Piercer controls the Flat Creepers' path—a 1-kilometer area—turning it into a deadly trap for delvers.

Over the years, a single Orb Piercer has injured or killed more than 100 Black Whistle Delvers.

Defensive Tactics and Weaknesses

It can shed spines to escape threats, but spines regrow slowly, so adult Orb Piercers are rare.

Its weak spot is the sensory organ. Injuring it causes pain and confusion, but it is extremely difficult unless the attacker is a high-level Delver.

Venom Effects and Treatment

The venom doesn’t kill immediately, but it causes severe swelling and weakness. It spreads fast enough that amputating infected limbs often becomes necessary.

Nachi developed an antidote aimed at relieving the venom's effects, originally trying to ease Midi’s suffering.

Both Rico and Midi suffered from the Orb Piercer’s venom, showing how deadly and lasting its bite can be.

Pseudo Water: The Deceptive Parasite of the Sixth Layer

Appearance and Initial Effects

Pseudo Water looks and tastes like normal water, making it dangerously deceptive in the harsh Abyss environment, where clean water is precious.

At first, it quenches thirst and tastes normal, fooling anyone who drinks it.

Infection Process

After ingestion, pseudo water lays tiny, clear eggs inside the digestive system, invisible and undetectable.

Infected victims suffer uncontrollable diarrhea and general sickness, remaining near the infection site, ensuring the parasite’s survival.

Consequences of Infection

The body eventually melts into a slimy mess, which then hardens into a stone-like shell. Inside, the parasite's eggs hatch.

These transformed bodies look like puddles of water, luring thirsty animals or people to become the parasite's next host.

Over time, these puddles grow into ponds made from multiple victims’ remains, spreading pseudo water widely.

Symptoms Everyone Experiences

• Uncontrollable diarrhea
• Body melting before hardening into a lead-like substance

The infection's specifics may vary, but these symptoms are always present.

Encounters and Survival

The Ganja group was among the first to encounter pseudo water in the sixth layer and learned to cope with it.

When Rico’s team explored, pseudo water was unknown and undocumented, but they avoided infection by drinking from streams rather than ponds.

The mysteries of Made in Abyss offer a chilling glimpse into a dangerous and fascinating world. From deadly curses and irreversible transformations to creatures like the Orb Piercer and parasites like pseudo water, anyone exploring the Abyss faces challenges that test both body and mind.

For fans eager to explore more about these dangers, learning about the tools, adventures, and survival tips found in the Abyss Exploration Gear collection can be crucial for understanding what it takes to survive the Abyss.

Whether you’re captivated by the story or fascinated by the science behind these afflictions, the Abyss holds secrets that reward careful study and respect.

Explore more insights and gear at The Manga Menagerie’s Made in Abyss collection to dive deeper into this mysterious world.