The Made in Abyss Franchise Landscape

Made in Abyss is not a typical anime series. What began as a 2017 television run has grown into a carefully interwoven tapestry of TV seasons, compilation films, and a direct theatrical sequel that forms a single, continuous narrative. At its core are two main television series: Season 1 (simply titled Made in Abyss) and Season 2 (Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun). Between them, the franchise uses movies both to recap earlier events and to push the story forward. The result is a structure that rewards careful sequencing but can easily trip up a newcomer.

The source material is a critically acclaimed manga by Akihito Tsukushi, serialized online since 2012. The anime adaptations are produced by Kinema Citrus, whose lush backgrounds and haunting soundtrack by Kevin Penkin have become hallmarks of the franchise. While the manga continues, the animated entries covered in this guide take viewers through the first six and a half volumes of the story, ending with a significant narrative arc that introduces the deep fifth layer and beyond.

Understanding the relationship between the original series and the films is the first step. Season 1 consists of 13 episodes adapting volumes 1 through 3 of the manga. Two compilation films, Journey's Dawn and Wandering Twilight, re-edit those same episodes with a few minutes of new animation. The sequel film Dawn of the Deep Soul adapts volume 4 and part of volume 5, telling a completely new story not seen in the TV series. Finally, Season 2 picks up immediately after the events of Dawn of the Deep Soul and covers volumes 6 through 10. No movie exactly replaces a season, and no season exactly replaces a movie. Each link in the chain matters.

The Complete Chronological Viewing Order

For the most seamless and emotionally resonant journey, follow this sequence:

  1. Made in Abyss – Season 1 (Episodes 1–13)
  2. Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul – Sequel Film
  3. Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun – Season 2 (Episodes 1–12)

The two compilation films, Journey's Dawn and Wandering Twilight, sit between the first and second items but are entirely optional. If you choose to watch them, place them after Season 1 for a quick refresh before the sequel film, or skip them altogether and move directly from the series' finale to Dawn of the Deep Soul. The sequel film is mandatory, as it bridges the two seasons and introduces characters and lore that Season 2 assumes you already know.

For those who prefer a minimalist approach, this is the essential order: watch all 13 episodes of the first TV season, then the film Dawn of the Deep Soul, then all 12 episodes of the second season. That is the complete narrative core. The compilation films are beautiful but ultimately redundant recuts of material you will have already seen.

Clarifying the Compilation Films – Are They Necessary?

Many viewers ask whether Journey's Dawn and Wandering Twilight replace Season 1. The answer is no. While they condense the story, they cut some quieter character moments and side details that give the world its texture. The compilation films add a few minutes of new animation, most notably an extended scene in the second film that hints at events to come, but these additions are not enough to change the overall recommendation: watch the full series first. If you later want a swift recap before diving into the sequel film, the compilations serve that purpose well. They are also a convenient way to introduce the story to someone with limited time, but even then, the series is the definitive experience.

Some fans worry that starting with the series and then watching the compilations will feel repetitive. That is a fair concern. The compilation films follow the original TV footage closely, with only minor visual polish and a slightly rearranged structure in the first film. Ultimately, they are a luxury, not a necessity. Use them as a refresher, not as a foundation.

Dive Into Each Chapter: A Detailed Breakdown

Made in Abyss – Season 1 (2017)

The 13-episode first season is where the journey begins. It introduces Orth, a town built around the edge of a colossal pit known as the Abyss. The Abyss is ancient, bottomless, and filled with priceless relics and lethal fauna. No one has seen the true depths and returned unscathed. The series focuses on Riko, an orphaned Cave Raider-in-training, and Reg, an amnesiac robot boy who appears to have come from the Abyss itself. After learning that her long-lost mother may be waiting at the bottom, Riko and Reg descend into the hole together.

Tonally, the season is a masterclass in contrast. Early episodes are bathed in sunlight and childlike wonder, punctuated by whimsical wildlife and the camaraderie of the orphanage. As the pair plunges deeper, the world darkens physically and thematically. The Abyss punishes every step downward with increasing brutality, and the series does not shy away from the psychological and physical toll on its young protagonists. Key moments in episodes 10 and 13 are infamous for their unflinching intensity. The soundtrack, composed by Kevin Penkin, is widely regarded as one of the finest in anime history, blending orchestral sweep with choral vocals that evoke both awe and dread.

The season finale ends on a cliffhanger that leaves Riko and Reg recovering on the fourth layer, ready to push into the lair of a White Whistle delver named Bondrewd. This is exactly where the sequel film picks up.

Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn (2019) and Wandering Twilight (2019)

Released back-to-back in 2019, these two films present the core events of Season 1 in a feature-length format. Journey's Dawn covers the opening arc up through the end of the Ozen encounter, roughly corresponding to episodes 1–8. It trims side conversations, rearranges a few scenes, and adds an early glimpse of a character who becomes important later. Wandering Twilight compresses episodes 9–13, the infamous Seeker Camp and Nanachi arc, and appends a short original sequence that foreshadows Dawn of the Deep Soul.

From a technical standpoint, the films feature subtle re-coloring and re-compositing that make the already gorgeous visuals pop even more on a large screen. However, the cuts can feel abrupt to someone who knows the original pacing. Emotional beats that simmer in the series are sometimes reduced to quick transitions. Still, as a recap bundle, they are serviceable. If you watch them, do not treat them as replacements; think of them as beautifully arranged trailers that remind you why the Abyss is so mesmerizing.

Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (2020)

This is the point of no return. The sequel film is the true continuation of the storyline, adapting the entire Bondrewd arc that spans volume 4 and part of volume 5 of the manga. Riko, Reg, and their new companion Nanachi descend into the fifth layer and come face to face with Bondrewd the Novel, a legendary White Whistle who has turned the pursuit of knowledge into something monstrous. The film runs over an hour and forty minutes and is unrated in terms of emotional intensity. It explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the price of love.

Dawn of the Deep Soul is frequently described as a horror film wrapped in a fantasy shell. Kinema Citrus pulled out all the stops, delivering fluid, kinetic action sequences and some of the most viscerally upsetting moments in modern anime. The score, again by Penkin, reaches new heights, blending electronic distortion with heart-wrenching orchestral motifs. This film is not optional. Skipping it before Season 2 would leave you utterly lost, as the entire second season hinges on the consequences of what happens in this movie.

Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun – Season 2 (2022)

The second television season aired in 2022 and adapts the Ilblu arc from the manga (volumes 6 through 10). It directly follows the epilogue of Dawn of the Deep Soul. Riko, Reg, and Nanachi arrive at the sixth layer, a sunken realm where the rules of the Abyss twist even further. They encounter a closed-off village inhabited by unique beings with their own economy of value and desire. The season deepens the lore significantly, introducing backstories that span civilizations and reckoning with the cycle of trauma that the Abyss perpetuates.

Visually, the Golden City arc is striking. The setting shifts to organic, bioluminescent architecture and a palette of golds, oranges, and deep purples. The narrative structure becomes more fragmented, weaving flashbacks of the village's founding into the present-day quest. Character motivations are peeled back layer by layer, revealing a shared history of loss and transformation. The 12 episodes push the boundaries of what television anime can tackle in terms of body horror and existential despair, yet never lose the thread of hope that keeps Riko descending. By the end of the season, the story stands at a natural pause point, with the next major arc still unfolding in the manga.

Why Viewing Order Shapes the Narrative Experience

Every chapter of Made in Abyss is designed to stand on the shoulders of the one before it. The trauma of the fourth layer in Season 1 gives weight to the decisions made in the fifth layer in Dawn of the Deep Soul. The events of the film, in turn, directly create the emotional and physical state of the trio at the start of Season 2. Watching out of order tears these connections apart. For instance, starting with Season 2 would flood you with references to Bondrewd, the Zoaholic, and Prushka without any context. Those moments would lose their devastating impact.

Even the compilation films, if watched instead of the original series, weaken the bond between viewer and character. The series takes its time to build Riko's reckless determination, Reg's gentle curiosity, and Nanachi's guarded sorrow. Condensing that into a two-hour movie blunts the blade when the story finally swings it. The viewing order is not mere chronology; it is a carefully paced descent. The deeper you go, the heavier the air becomes. You need to feel the pressure building step by step.

Additional Tips for the Full Abyss Experience

Streaming availability varies by region, but as of 2025, most of the franchise can be found on platforms such as HIDIVE (which holds exclusive rights in many territories for the series and Dawn of the Deep Soul) and Amazon Prime Video for the compilation movies. Always check your local library of services like Crunchyroll as well, as licensing agreements shift over time. Physical media releases from Sentai Filmworks include the TV seasons and the sequel film, often with bonus interviews and art cards that enrich the lore.

Content warnings are not ornamental here. Made in Abyss presents a deceptive exterior: cuddly character designs and lush watercolor backgrounds mask a story that deals with extreme physical pain, child endangerment, body modification, and psychological trauma. The famously punishing scenes in the fourth layer episodes and the unblinking horror of Dawn of the Deep Soul have sparked significant discussion about whether the series should be classified as horror fantasy. If you are sensitive to material of this nature, approach with caution. The story earns its darkness, but it does not apologize for it.

Fans who finish the animated entries might want to explore the manga to see where the tale goes next. The official English translation is published by Seven Seas Entertainment. The manga enters the seventh layer and continues to unravel the mysteries of the Abyss and the figures who shaped it. There is also a spin-off series, Made in Abyss: Official Anthology, and a side story collection, but the mainline chapters remain the priority.

As a final note, watch the end credits. Each arc includes post-credit scenes or coda sequences that add context. The sequel film, in particular, has a mid-credits stinger that leads directly into the opening of Season 2. Missing it would mean starting the Golden City arc with a small but meaningful piece of the puzzle absent.

Final Thoughts

The Abyss is not a place you can rush through. It demands patience, attention, and a certain tolerance for the unsettling. But for those willing to descend in the right order—Season 1, Dawn of the Deep Soul, Season 2—the reward is one of the most original narrative experiences in contemporary anime. The characters change in ways that feel earned; the world expands endlessly, always revealing that the bottom is not merely a physical location but a state of understanding. Follow the path laid out here, and you will step off the edge with both eyes open, ready to see what waits in the dark.