Reg

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Reg's existence is defined by his discovery in the first layer of the Abyss, near the Seeker Camp or nearby ruins, where he was found as a mechanical being by Riko, Nat, and Shiggy. Riko names him after a character from a book or story, instantly forging a bond that integrates him into her close-knit group at the Belchero Orphanage. His role shifts from an isolated artifact to a vital member of the party when Riko discovers Lyza's White Whistle and pages containing a message stating her mother is waiting at the bottom of the Abyss. This discovery drives their joint expedition, as Reg accompanies Riko on her secret departure into the deep. Unlike human explorers who risk the potentially fatal malady known as the Curse of the Abyss upon ascending, Reg's unique composition allows him to navigate these dangers, though his specific immunity and true origins remain central mysteries within the narrative structure.

In Their Own Story

The journey begins when Riko discovers a half-human/half-robot boy in the first layer of the Abyss. She names him Reg after her former dog and sneaks him into Belchero, where he is welcomed by her friends. The turning point arrives with findings from the depths: Lyza's White Whistle and pages of observations, including a message presumably for Riko stating she is waiting at the bottom. Determined to find her mother, Riko bids farewell to her friends and secretly departs into the Abyss with Reg as her companion. Their partnership becomes the engine of the story as they descend deeper than most Cave Raiders ever return from, navigating the treacherous layers while facing the mysterious curse that kills those who ascend. The narrative hinges on their shared goal to reach the bottom and uncover the truth behind Lyza's disappearance.

Reader's Guide

Reg functions as the primary companion to Riko in her quest to become a White Whistle like her mother, Lyza. He is introduced as a part-robot boy found in the first layer of the Abyss, a location where Cave Raiders typically hunt for artifacts but rarely survive ascension due to the Curse of the Abyss. His integration into Riko's life begins immediately after his discovery when he joins her group at the Belchero Orphanage. When Lyza's whistle and a message from the depths are recovered, Reg accompanies Riko on her secret departure into the Abyss. His presence is essential for their survival in the lower regions where the curse becomes acute. While the source confirms his nature as part-robot and his role as Riko's companion, it does not detail specific combat abilities or creator origins beyond the general description of him being a 'part-robot boy' found by Riko.

Did You Know?

• Reg was named by Riko after a character from a book or story.
• He was discovered by Riko, Nat, and Shiggy in the first layer of the Abyss, near the Seeker Camp or its surrounding ruins.
• Reg is consistently described as a robot or mechanical being, with no confirmed human component.
• He accompanies Riko on her secret departure from the Belchero Orphanage to find her mother.

Character Origins and Role

Reg is introduced as a half-human/half-robot boy discovered by Riko in the first layer of the Abyss. He is named after a dog that Riko previously owned, establishing an immediate personal connection. Initially found alone in the dangerous depths, he is quickly welcomed into Riko's close-knit group at the Belchero Orphanage. His role becomes pivotal when artifacts, including Lyza's White Whistle and pages of discoveries, are recovered from the Abyss, containing a message that Lyza is waiting at the bottom. This revelation prompts Riko to bid farewell to her friends and secretly depart into the Abyss with Reg as her companion. The story follows their descent together in hopes of exploring the pit and finding Riko's mother.

Narrative Premise and Setting

The narrative centers on an orphaned girl named Riko living in Orth, a town surrounding a giant hole known as the Abyss. This pit harbors artifacts and remnants of lost civilizations, attracting Cave Raiders who risk the 'Curse of the Abyss,' a fatal malady that manifests upon ascension and worsens with depth. Few return from the lower regions. Riko's mother, Lyza, was a legendary White Whistle presumed dead after taking a last descent. The plot is driven when findings including Lyza's whistle and pages stating she waits at the bottom are discovered. Riko then departs secretly into the Abyss with Reg, her part-robot companion found in the first layer, to fulfill her dream of finding her mother.

Manga Publication and Global Reach

The series featuring Reg was written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi, serialized on Takeshobo's Web Comic Gamma since October 2012. As of August 2025, 14 tankōbon volumes have been collected. By August 2025, the manga had over 22 million copies in circulation and won the 52nd Japan Cartoonists Association Award in 2023. In North America, Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the manga in 2017, with translator Jake Jung adapting it while ensuring complex terminology remained consistent across media. Five official anthologies were published as of July 2024.

Adaptations and Multimedia Expansion

An anime television series produced by Kinema Citrus aired from July to September 2017, followed by a sequel film, Dawn of the Deep Soul, in January 2020. A second season, The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, aired from July to September 2022. In August 2025, a sequel series of films was announced starting with Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi in 2026. Reg appears across these adaptations, voiced by Mariya Ise alongside Miyu Tomita as Riko. An action role-playing game developed by Chime Corporation was released in September 2022. A Western live-action film adaptation began development in 2021 with Kevin McMullin hired to write and direct.