Made in Abyss - Vol. 2 Ch. 16 - How to Mentor Good-for-nothings

[MangaDex]

 

[JustCallMeDaBoss]

Why does Riko hav such a stupid looking face when the mom is so pretty?

That reaction to the husband lol.

They have a pretty strange mother/daughter? Teacher/disciple? Relationship going on.

 

[SotiCoto]

No amount of backstory will change the fact that Ozen is an unforgivable monster.

I really hate when manga do this. When they show a character behaving in an utterly reprehensible, vile, unforgivable manner... and then a chapter later they're somehow trying to justify it.

Too fuckin late.

 

[bobyd]

so basically ozen got jealous

 

[tanukihat]

Ozen just sucks.

 

[broldakka]

Ozen is funny

 

[Lonelyluigi]

Dude she's 12 lol

 

[CookieMonster]

Ozen is not supposed to be warm and fuzzy. And it's not "redeeming chapter" or something like this that supposed to justify her actions. It's just some insight into her mind and backstory, nothing more. So yes she is what she is: not a villain, but harsh, cynic, brutal and pretty sadistic person, still with few traces of kindness and affection deep in her heart.

 

[Hacete]

Ozen's reaction on page 11



@CookieMonster I totally agree with you.

 

[Goyal99Raj]

@CookieMonster Great summary, changed my mind on the character

 

[donutsandcoffee]

It's so weird when some people read this kind of mangas, that's clearly full of grey moralities, and still sees things as black and white -- "villains" or "heroes".

Clearly Ozen isn't supposed to be a Good Person, but no one in this manga is. Everyone just has their own goals and motivations and different ways to achieve that. She's not supposed to be redeemed here -- that's just how she is, cruel and harsh. But her intentions were to teach Riko and Reg about the difficulties they'll face down the abyss.