Maaa

* Anime
* Manga

**Maaa** (マアア, *****Maaa*****) is a resident of The Village of Iruburu, despite not (strictly speaking) being a Narehate herself. Due to the fact that she can only say "Maaa", Riko took to calling her that, which she doesn't seem to mind. Apparently, none of the other Narehate in Iruburu can understand Maaa either. Later, Faputa is shown being able to communicate with Maaa and confirms that her name is, in fact, "Maaa".

## Appearance

Maaa resembles a sheet ghost, having a round-shaped body with fabric-like folds at the bottom, that she uses to walk. She has a split mouth like a cat, with a large tooth in the center, and she is usually drooling. Maaa's eyes are small and beady and often have tears coming out of them. Maaa is covered in pink fur, has two tentacle-like arms, and the surface of her body is fluffy. There is a darker patch of fur over Maaa's left eye from when her body was torn apart during the balancing ceremony. Amusingly, Maaa has a very prominent posterior.

Maaa has a very flexible body, which can grow and shrink in height. Her arms also extend when flexed, and are evidently quite strong. In the creases and flaps of Maaa's body she stores items in a sort of pouch. According to Riko's notes, Maaa looks pretty filthy up close and smells like a toned-down version of dried excrement.

## Personality

Maaa is shown to be very loyal and innocent, which can be seen in the way she interacts with Riko and Meinya.

## History

### **Early Life**

Maaa was a creation of The Village of Iruburu, using signals from the villagers and excess Value from lurings. An existence similar to a cell. Since Maaa and a couple of villagers were not created from humans, they are (strictly speaking) not Narehate. But, as there is no distinction between them and the villagers, they also cannot exist outside of the village. It is unknown where the signals that created Maaa originated.

Maaa and others like her live a normal life, relying on their mixed, inherited Value.

### **Iruburu Arc**

While Majikaja guides Riko, Reg, and Nanachi through Iruburu's Market of Value, Maaa gets a hold of Meinya and unintentionally begins crushing them. Meinya ends up being fine. Nonetheless, Maaa had damaged an item that doesn't belong to her. A shriek rings out around the village, signaling the Iruburu Balancing. One of Maaa's possessions, a doll she seems to cherish, is taken and destroyed; Maaa is partially skinned alive and one of her arms is torn off.

Later, Maaa is shown saving Riko from an overly-curious mob of Narehate. Maaa's arm and skin seem to have grown back, though her fur has grown back in a darker shade than originally seen. Riko then invites Maaa to come along with her, accompanying her throughout the village, much to Maaa's delight.

Maaa has taken a liking to Meinya and is often seen carrying them on her head or in her arms.

When the Fuzosheppu attacks Riko, Maaa sacrifices herself in order to save her, once again. Before Maaa is dragged away, Riko uses her White Whistle, at Prushka's behest. Reg arrives to fend off the Fuzosheppu, saving Maaa and other villagers.

Maaa is present during Vueko's recounting of the village's founding and is shown to be visibly confused in the aftermath. After Reg's battle against Juroimoh, he asks Maaa, Majikaja, and Moogie to keep Riko safe, just before Faputa arrives.

When the creatures of the 6th Layer make their way into the village, Moogie, seeing how their fellow villagers are decimated and shaken by the events unfolding, says that it is over for them and that all will come to an end. She is pulled out of her shock by Maaa, who carries the unconscious Riko and renews Moogie's purpose in protecting the girl.

After Riko uses her White Whistle again, Maaa and Nanachi catch her as she passes out.

As the village collapses, Faputa asks Maaa and Majikaja to bring the trio out of the village.

Riko, still weakened from the use of her whistle, hands Maaa a crude doll which resembles the one taken from Maaa during the Balancing. She then apologizes to Maaa that the replacement doll she made for her is not yet finished. Maaa takes the doll and holds Meinya and Riko close with tears in her eyes. As the village meets its final destruction, Maaa perishes.

## Abilities

### **High Regeneration**

Maaa is able to quickly regenerate from injuries, but the newly grown fur will be of a darker shade, as seen after the Iruburu Balancing.

## Trivia

* According to Riko's notes, Maaa uses the lower folds of her body to skillfully walk.
* During the Iruburu Balancing, Maaa's extremely precious stuffed animal was converted into Value.
* In the original work of Akihito Tsukushi, Doorbeetle Mani, he notes Maaa to be one of the main heroines of Made in Abyss Volume 07, suggesting Maaa to be a female character as well as using the character for woman (女) in a section.
* Most of the villagers created like Maaa (i.e. those not originally human) do not possess the ability to speak clearly, remaining nameless until someone gives them a name.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Maaa Biography
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Volume 07
3. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 044, Page 19
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 060, Page 2
5. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 041, Page 12
6. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 043, Pages 10-17
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 041, Pages 1-12
8. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 052, Page 6
9. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 046, Pages 45-46
10. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 051, Page 45
11. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 053, Page 14
12. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 057, Pages 1-3
13. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 059, Page 15
14. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 060, Pages 4-5
15. ↑ Made in Abyss Manga: Made in Abyss Chapter 043, Page 15
16. ↑ Doorbeetle Mani