#menae

First of all, thank god Nanachi is alive. I was pretty confident they would survive, not out of faith in the author not killing his darlings, but because if he did kill them, I'm sure it would be in a much more gruesome way. Still, I was scared.

Secondly, this panel:

Implies three interesting story things at once!

Yataramar cares about Sherumi and Menae genuinely. I'm still waiting for the other foot to drop on Srajo's cruelty. From later in the chapter it seems she cares about them too, but I do not trust any White Whistle.

They're referred to as one unit, Sherumena. I'm not sure whether this is just a cutesy nickname but at least from my perspective it's kinda odd to refer to them as one name? Could mean nothing

Nanachi's struggle with suicide ideation is going to be further explored (Wording on this kinda confusing to me, but that's how I interpreted it)

Beautiful and intriguing landscapes as always. Is that cloud behind them a giant flock of "birds"?

I guess this bit from the Volume 12 sketches was the rough draft for this scene? On a related note, I've talked about this before but the mascotification and sort of flanderization of Faputa is really rubbing me the wrong way.

Don't get me wrong, I love her cute loaf forms as much as anybody, but it's making her feel more like a pet than a character with human intelligence and agency.

Like... I know this is a nitpick but does this panel feel out of character for anybody else? Faputa is notoriously shy. She doesn't even like people looking at her. Why is she letting this person she barely knows use her as a pillow?

Honestly it wouldn't bother me at all if it was just a one off, even a five off, but this is just one example I picked of Faputa being treated more like a cute accessory than a character.

I honestly feel like it's harming the story. While I understand a huge part of the appeal of Made in Abyss is juxtaposing cuteness with violence, this feels so out of place. Faputa, Nanachi is dying why are you a marketable plushie right now....

But anyways, Sherumi and Menae partial lore reveallllllllll

God that's sad. Also resulted in an interesting Reg moment. Usually Riko is the callous one, but this time Reg had to confront the fact he had been insensitive.

Also... speaking of Reg moments...

REG FLASHBACK AND REVEAL OF THE GIRL-TYPEEEEE!!! I think people have been calling her Clawbot?

And the person at the very end... so many new characters these past few chapters.