Nanachi (2024)

SPOILER WARNING! Some sections of this article contain manga-only information. Please be careful if you haven't read the manga. Proceed with caution! Toggle spoiler tags: On

While editing this page, please elect to use gender neutral pronouns. Although some translations have opted to refer to Nanachi as female, within the original Japanese text of Made in Abyss there is no definitive mention to Nanachi's gender. Hence, the official translator of Made in Abyss's manga, Jake Jung, has elected to use gender neutral pronouns in reference to Nanachi. Thank you for your cooperation.

Nanachi (ナナチ) is a Narehate; a person who survived the 6^th Layer's Curse and was left deformed as a result, but, unlike most other Narehate, still retained a sound mind.^[1] Possessing vast knowledge of The Abyss (its ecosystem, vegetation, and even the use of the medicines), Nanachi is currently a member of Hello Abyss, on a journey to the bottom of The Abyss. Their gender is ambiguous.^[2]

Appearance

Nanachi's appearance is very rabbit-like, save for a long sturdy tail, horizontally slanted pupils, carnivorous teeth and human-like hair; which is straight and cream-white in a short bobbed style, the sides of the bangs going down to the shoulders. In contrast, medium tan fur covers the rest of Nanachi, with light tan covering the insides of their ears and belly. They have a blush-like spot on each cheek; which has two thick whiskers protruding sideways. Other animal traits include a cat-like mouth with little fangs, yellow eyes with horizontal oval shaped pupils (similar to a goat's) and erect bunny ears. Their fingers are rather stubby though surprisingly agile, as they are very artistically skilled.^[3]

Nanachi's attire consists solely of gray-green, baggy, drop-crotch harem pants, with dark-pink hip-bags on both sides, red pant legs, and a pink flap that is supposed to cover their usually naked torso.^[3]

Nanachi also wears a large, oddly-shaped headpiece the same colors as their pants. Attached to the sides of it are two curved horns that stick out horizontally. Hanging from the back there is a large layer of what appears to be shingles, covered by a layer of cream-colored animal pelts, and then another smaller layer of shingles. Nanachi's side bangs seem to be much longer when the helmet is on, going down to their hips, due to hair extensions of the headpiece. They are tied at the end with metal rings.^[3]

After Nanachi's stay at Belaf's House, their helmet was redesigned, looking more reminiscent of delving gear now, with the horns curving more upwards and less sharp-looking ends. Its glass-like structures were replaced as one structure. Their helmet also received more feathers and cream-colored animal pelts, which are split into two sections, hanging form the back. The metal rings of the helmet's extensions are now of a much simpler round design and located higher in the extensions, having two feather-like ends hanging from them.^[4]

They typically walk upright, but sometimes will run on all fours when trying to move quickly.^[5]

As a human, Nanachi had yellow eyes and short, messy cream-white hair. They wore a light green one piece or possibly just a very large shirt and over it a light brown coat with black sleeves, which was too big for them.^[6]

Personality

Most of the time, Nanachi is cool and reserved, keeping their distance emotionally and physically. Their attitude often borders on sarcastic or even cynical.^[7] However, behind this mask, Nanachi hides a kind and gentle soul, capable of deep compassion and selfless devotion. They are also quite bashful when complimented, seen in their reaction to being called "fluffy". They also express discomfort at being petted, especially by Reg.^[8]

As human, Nanachi seemed to be more timid, due to their prior life.^[6]

History

Spoiler warning: The following section contains spoilers. Read with caution.

Dreadful Experimentation Flashback Arc

Nanachi was born in the far north region of Sereny, lost their family and home at a young age, and was taken to The Abyss by the infamous White Whistle Delver, Bondrewd, along with many other children.^[9]

Bondrewd was experimenting with ways to negate The Curse of the Abyss, using orphan children as his test subjects, as they wouldn't be missed. While in The Abyss, Nanachi met Mitty, another child taken by Bondrewd, and the two became close friends. Eventually, the number of children in their group decreased, until Mitty was selected by Bondrewd. Worried for Mitty, Nanachi followed, finding her trapped in one of Bondrewd's Curse Chambers.^[10]

Walking in at that moment, Bondrewd decided to use the two as test subjects together, because of their strong relationship. Nanachi was then forced into the other chamber, both being lowered into the 6^th Layer and then quickly brought back up. The device forcibly transferred the effects of The Curse of the Abyss into Mitty's chamber. Mitty's resilience allowed Nanachi to survive the experience, but both were left permanently disfigured as Narehate.^[11]

Nanachi, in their new Narehate form, continued to work for Bondrewd at Ido Front, helping him to create Cartridges.^[12] Unable to bear the torturous experimentation that the now immortal Mitty was subjected to any longer, Nanachi escaped Ido Front with Mitty. The two traveled up to the 4^th Layer, where Nanachi found a spot away from The Abyss's central vertical shaft, where the Force Field was not present, becoming Nanachi's Hideout. Nanachi lived there, peacefully, with Mitty for some time. Delvers would sometimes pass through the area, with Nanachi watching from a safe distance. Occasionally, when a Delver was wounded beyond help, Nanachi would take them in and experiment on them, hoping to find a way to kill Mitty. The bodies of these Delvers are buried in a graveyard behind their hut.^[13]

Poison and Soul Liberation Arc

During Riko and Reg's descent to the 4^th Layer, Nanachi observes them.^[14] After the battle against the Orb Piercer, they reveal themself to Reg, due to seeing him crying over Riko's body. Because the two's relationship remind Nanachi of their relationship with Mitty, Nanachi decides to aid them.^[15]

During their stay, Nanachi explains to Reg what The Curse of the Abyss is and how it works. Then, after asking Reg to listen to them no matter what, they make him fight against the Orb Piercer again and, thanks to the help of Nanachi via a communicator, is able to ward it off with a shot from his Incinerator. Nanachi is surprised by the power of it and similarity to Bondrewd's Artifact, Sparagmos, the only thing that had been able to permanently injure Mitty. Seeing the opportunity, Nanachi asks Reg to kill Mitty, releasing her from more suffering, to which he reluctantly agrees.^[16][17]

After Mitty's soul was released, Nanachi burst into tears, mourning the loss of their friend, while being held close by Reg who cried grief-stricken tears of his own. Nanachi decides to join Riko and Reg on their journey to the bottom of the Abyss.^[18][19]

Ido Front Arc

After preparations, the group embarks from Nanachi's hideout, reaching the field of Eternal Fortunes. There, they encounter one of Bondrewd's Umbra Hands. A brief exchange follows, in which the Umbra Hand tells them that Bondrewd is expecting them. When the three of them reach Bondrewd's base, Ido Front; a girl, Prushka, approaches them and asks if they are her father's guests.^[20][21]

A few moments later Bondrewd arrives, greets the trio and informs them that entrance into the 6^th Layer is only possible with a White Whistle. He invites them to stay a night and Prushka gives them a tour of the base.^[22]

During the night, Nanachi seeks out Bondrewd to question him about Prushka. After a short exchange Bondrewd asks Nanachi to become his assistant again. Nanachi agrees under the condition to let Riko and Reg advance safely into the 6^th Layer, however Bondrewd can't agree to this due to Reg being an existence he wants to study.^[23]

Nanachi finds Reg as the Umbra Hands experiment on him and have already cut off his arm. Moments later Prushka and Riko join the scene and Prushka orders the Umbra Hands to stop treating her father's guests that way, only to be informed by them that this area is off limits for her. The trio, together with Prushka, escapes outside the Ido Front and tries to escape in a boat. Only Prushka stays back, because she wants to convince Bondrewd to return Reg's arm.^[24]

Riko is visibly distraught and cries about the suffering put upon Reg by the Umbra Hands. Reg, lying injured, mentions he can smell the burnt parts of Netherworld Stew. Riko extrapolates from this and other signs (including her mother's notes) that they are located near a Stingerhead nest; the trio uses this to create a trap for Bondrewd.^[25]

Shortly afterwards, Reg, Nanachi and Riko are confronted by Bondrewd and his Umbra Hands again, however they have been led into a trap by the trio and are attacked by a Stingerhead.^[26] Only Bondrewd survives the attack with his Sparagmos, but is taken care of by a clever strategy of Nanachi and Reg resulting in him being shot by an arrow containing Amaranthine-Deceptor larvae fired by Riko, exposed to the Curse, as well crushed by Reg with a boulder. Moments later Prushka and an Umbra Hand arrive. Prushka bursts out in tears over the state Bondrewd is in. The Umbra Hand quickly takes Bondrewd's whistle, as well as removes helmet and replaces it with his own, leading him to turn into Bondrewd in the process.^[27]

Bondrewd makes the relieved Prushka pass out and reveals to the trio that all Umbra Hands are copies of him he can transfer his consciousness into.^[28] After a quick beatdown he leaves them and invites them back to the Ido Front whenever they are ready. This leaves Nanachi in a traumatized state, but they quickly recover after Riko notes that Bondrewd maybe uses the Artifact, Zoaholic, to transfer parts of his consciousness. Together with Reg, they both make a strategy in order to destroy it.^[29]

As they sneak back into Ido Front Nanachi and Riko make their way into what Nanachi calls the processing room. They explain to Riko that Bondrewd's cartridges are made from living humans removing anything but the organs needed to sustain life. Moments later Bondrewd shows up and invites Nanachi again to join him, due to being interested in their "blessing".^[30]

He is quickly interrupted by Reg, who has absorbed the power plant's reserves and thus went out of control. A fight between Reg and Bondrewd breaks out. Only due to Nanachi's interruption, due to not wanting to see Reg in such a state and begging him to stop with a hug, the fight comes to a momentarily halt; with Reg turning back to his usual self.^[31]

During the second stage of the fight between Reg and Bondrewd, Nanachi acts as Reg's support viva communicator. While they fight, Bondrewd reveals that he turned Prushka into a cartridge.^[32]

After Bondrewd's defeat, resulting him to be cut in half, Nanachi approaches his upper half and speaks to him for the final time. They tell him that they are going to destroy Zoaholic and any reminding equipment, so his dream will end there. Bondrewd tells them he doesn't mind, as for is new dream is that Nanachi will have a fulfilling adventure and passes away.^[33]

Nanachi makes a harness so Riko can wear Prushka's stone, which came out of her cartridge, around her neck.^[34] As the group gets ready to traverse into the 6^th Layer, it is shown that Bondrewd's consciousness still lives on within his Umbra Hands as they come to see Riko's group off.^[35]

Iruburu Arc

The team uses the Altar of the Absolute Boundary, which connects the 5^th and 6^th layers. On their way down, they see various creatures.^[36] After leaving the elevator, they decide to make a camp for the night. Nanachi awakens and notices something invaded the camp after they had fallen asleep and stole Prushka's stone. With the help of Meinya, they track it down to a village.^[37]

Upon entering the village, a Narehate greets them and introduces themself as Majikaja.^[38] Majikaja leads them to jeweler, who is working Prushka's stone to make it into its finalized form. While they are waiting, Majikaja explains a few things about The Village of Iruburu and brings them to a market.^[39]

Due to an accident, Meinya is injured by a very curious Narehate and the group witnesses the village's ritual to balance value. In the ritual, the Narehate at fault for Meinya being hurt gets stripped off their belongings and even parts of their skin.^[40]

They manage to stay at a hotel, but shortly afterwards, an impact causes a shockwave to travel through the village. Majikaja explains it was caused by Faputa; a Narehate praised as embodiment of value. Reg wants to investigate, while Nanachi and Riko stay behind.^[41]

Later on, Nanachi decides to go and try to buy water and some fruit. Majikaja tags along with Nanachi and reveals in a conversation about value between them that one of The Three Sages of the village, Belaf, is in possession of the supposed-to-be-dead Mitty. Nanachi asks Majikaja to take them to the Sage.^[42][43]

Later on, Riko visits the Sage since she has been informed to find Nanachi with him. Riko finds Nanachi and Mitty with Belaf, and he tells her the Mitty he has is a clone created from the original brought by Bondrewd to the village, whom he wanted to use as a nutrition source. Belaf couldn't afford to buy Mitty directly from Bondrewd, so he sacrificed half of his body to have the village replicate her. In a short flashback, it is shown how Nanachi is moved to tears out of happiness to be reunited with Mitty, and how they are shocked moments later as they watch how Belaf extends his feelers to drink from Mitty.^[44]

Belaf tells Riko that Nanachi offered themself up to him in exchange for ownership of Mitty so that Belaf couldn't drink from her anymore, and that he is willing to sell Nanachi back to Riko if she can give him something of similar value.^[45]

After Nanachi wakes up, from the trembles of the ongoing battle between Faputa and the villagers, and asks Belaf what is happening, he informs them that their dream is now not a dream anymore.^[46]

With Iruburu's barrier starting to disperse, to the shock of Nanachi, the Narehate in the rubble of Belaf's house appear to be slowly fading away.^[47]

Belaf informs the still confused Nanachi that he has bestowed his memories of the past to them, due to having to take his leave now. For him, his memories represent his value. So in a sense, he transfers his value to Nanachi because he likes the relationship they have with Mitty.^[48]

The conversation is loudly interrupted by the roars from the ongoing battle between Faputa and the villagers. Belaf tells Nanachi Faputa has returned and will not stop her rampage until the village is completely destroyed. He also lets them know he releases them, and they may go wherever they want now.^[49]

As Nanachi is about to take their leave with Mitty, Belaf points Nanachi in the direction where the barrier started to disappear. If Mitty should be brought beyond, she will cease to exist. This is because every being that was created in the village can only exist in it, and will stop existing if taken outside it.^[50]

He promises if Nanachi should choose to remain, he will do anything in his power to protect Mitty and them. Nanachi is torn, due to the happiness they feel for having gotten a second chance to see Mitty, but decides their blessing wasn't given to them by Mitty just to remain in a dream. This time, Nanachi chooses to set Mitty free with their own hands and starts making the way to the end of the barrier.^[51]

Belaf as well, starts heading for the barrier. As Nanachi gets closer to the barrier, they reminisce about all the new things they learned and with, teary eyes, tells Mitty they will definitely meet again. After that, Mitty fades away completely.^[52]

As Nanachi is close to crying, the Narehate from Belaf's house hand them their head piece back and fade away. As Nanachi turns their gaze forward, they see Belaf as he fades more and more.^[53]

After Belaf and Nanachi arrive at the scene of the battle, a short exchange between Nanachi and Faputa follows in which Nanachi also asks Riko to leave it to them to deal with Faputa, and Belaf advances towards Faputa. Faputa notes that the smell of her mother is strong on Belaf and decides to kill him first.^[54]

With that Faputa is even more conflicted after receiving Belaf's feelings and memories, Nanachi instructs the villagers to take Riko and escape underground, due to the village barrier being broken, while they will try to wake up Reg. As Nanachi makes their way to Reg they get a glimpse of Wazukyan and theorize he might have hoped for a scenario in which Faputa had given a cradle to Reg to be used on Riko to create a mobile village with Riko as base.^[55]

When a Hermit Rat is snatched up by an unknown avian creature, Nanachi realizes with the village barrier gone creatures have made it inside the village; with Turbinid-Dragon making its way inside.^[56]

As the creatures invade the village, Nanachi is shocked by the amount that make their way into it.^[57]

Nanachi is seen watching the battle between Faputa and the creatures, but must have slipped away at one point as they are later seen with Riko's group escaping from the battle scene and The trio apologizes to each other since they all think they made huge mistakes.^[58]

Later on after they found Wazukyan and talk to him, Nanachi interjects and questions Wazukyan what ultimately his goal was. He tells them that they wanted to become something more than human as they felt this was needed with steady build-up. Thus, they find themselves at the logical conclusion with Faputa seeking to find her own path to move forward.^[59]

After Wazukyan faded away, Nanachi questions to themself how far Wazukyan may have been able to see into the future. Their thoughts are interrupted by sounds in the distance and Majikaja and the other villagers inform them that it is Faputa, calling to them for the first time.^[60]

The group ultimately decides to move onward following Faputa's roars.^[61]

When the group finds Vueko under the effects of the Curse and Pakkoyan vanishes while saving Vueko, Nanachi quickly approaches Vueko, takes her back to the others, and the group plans to make their way back to Faputa with having sent Reg ahead beforehand already.^[62]

Nanachi is also in the group when the village starts to vanish.^[63]

After the village vanished, and the group took taken refuge in cave-like ruins, Nanachi asks Riko if she is doing alright which Riko affirms while holding the doll she had made for Maaa. Even though they have all disintegrated, she will never forget the villagers for saving them to which Nanachi agrees they will remember, too.^[64]

Capital of the Unreturned

The Curse Fleet Arc

Abilities

Observation Skills

Nanachi has demonstrated advanced tracking and stalking skills. When Reg and Riko first entered the 4^th Layer of The Abyss, although Reg could tell that Nanachi was nearby, he was unable to pinpoint their location.^[14] They were capable of tracking Reg and Riko throughout their journey in the 4^th Layer, continuing to remain hidden, until they voluntarily revealed themself upon seeing Reg scream, when he thought that Riko had died.^[100]

Curse Detection

On top of top-notch tracking and stalking skills, since becoming a Narehate, Nanachi has been able to see the flow of The Force Field: a mysterious force behind the ailments that human beings suffer, upon attempting to ascend from The Abyss. Thus, they are capable of mitigating its effects.^[101]

Extensive Knowledge

Aside from the skills granted by their Narehate form, Nanachi has been shown to be deeply knowledgeable about the flora and fauna within the 4^th and 5^th layers of The Abyss. They are capable of determining what is edible, as well as if something has any medicinal properties.^[102] Their time spent in Ido Front has also lead to them knowing how to perform some complex surgeries. Using this knowledge, Nanachi has tended to myriads of maladies that Delvers may suffer from, such as being able to splint broken arms, suture open wounds, and even synthesizing an antidote for Orb Piercer venom.^[103][104] Many of the curative methods and medicines they use are unknown even to Delvers, who are often thought of to be the most knowledgeable of The Abyss.

Artistic Talent

Nanachi is also shown to be artistically talented, having demonstrated excellent ability in drawing. They have drawn pictures of themself, Mitty, Reg, and Riko; a representation of how the Curse works for Reg; and accurate depictions of the things they required Reg to fetch in order to aid them in healing Riko's arm.^[105][106]

Quotes

• (To Reg, mockingly) "Riko! Don't leave me!"

• (To Reg) "Nnaaa~~ I'm just a fluffy stuffed doll and I've come to console you two."

• (To Reg) "That's just the way it is. There's no way to stop their longing."

Trivia

• Their gender and sex have never been explicitly stated within the series itself. The only gender referents used by Nanachi are the pronouns that they use to refer to themself. When talking about themself, Nanachi frequently uses the pronoun "oira" (おいら), and sometimes "ore" (おれ), the former being more casual. The frequent use of "oira" (おいら) is evocative of a person with a rural background, a "country bumpkin". Until Edo period, both "ore" (おれ) and "oira" (おいら) were unisex. Now those have a masculine connotation, as they are primarily used by male speakers in modern Japanese.^[107] The creator of Made in Abyss, Akihito Tsukushi, commented on Nanachi's sex on Twitter, stating: "the sex of Nanachi is unknown. Let's imagine:)." The official English translator of Made in Abyss has also chosen to use gender neutral pronouns.

• Volumes will sometimes include detailed descriptions of the creatures and relics that are not published in the regular chapter releases. Nanachi will sometimes show up on these pages to give insight on the subject. These small bits are labeled "Pointers from Nanachi!".^[108]
• Nanachi has an "irresistible fragrance", due to wanting to have a pleasant smell and Mitty's blessing granting it to them.^[109] In particular, the base of their tail smells really good. They are also really fluffy.^[110] This is an interesting parallel between their former human self, who was smelly and repulsive to others.^[6]
• According to the perfume released with the Blu-ray of the third movie, the base of Nanachi's ears smell caramellic; similar to cotton candy.^[111]
• When signing their name, they always draw a picture of their face with the characters for "Nanachi" underneath.^[105]
• In the online fan meeting, called Cave Raiders Guild Rally, Akihito Tsukushi stated Nanachi's height, including ears, to be 1.70 meters.^[112] After thinking about it again, he tweeted Nanachi's height to be actually about 1.50 meters, including ears, and about 1.30 meters without the ears.^[113][114]
• Nanachi inhaled a substance sort of like a sleeping medicine in Belaf's House which made them drowsy.^[115]

• The book that Nanachi used to read to Mitty contains a folk song apparently based on the White Whistles: "With time the boulders leave a trail becoming a hail of burning steel turning the ice-clad trees into clouds. Extending their necks through the skies the colossal turtles gather together to gaze at the amber sky."^[116]

• Nanachi makes a brief cameo on Pop Team Epic's episode 2 when they appear on one of Popuko and Pipimi's "Ridiculous Fortunes." It says "Good Luck, Nanachi is cute!"

• After settling in the 4^th Layer, Nanachi gifts Mitty with a plush doll of the bird that they had heard while being transported to the Ido Front. In actuality, this bird does not exist in the world of Made in Abyss.^[117]
• Nanachi calls her 'Vueroeruko' due to inhaling Belaf's Memories.^[118]
• As Belaf had lost most of his senses, the signpost on Nanachi's fishing rod-like tool had a smell to it in order to guide him. This tool that was given to Nanachi together with their clothes is intricately made up of relics.^[119]
• According to the author, the horns featured on Nanachi's first helmet are based on Gundlander, the titular hero of the Gundlander series from the Gundam franchise^[120]

References

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