Exploring the Depths: An Introduction to Made in Abyss

Few anime series manage to intertwine breathtaking beauty with unrelenting darkness the way Made in Abyss does. Created by Akihito Tsukushi, this fantasy adventure has grown from a cult manga into a beloved multimedia franchise. Its world is centered on the Abyss—a colossal, vertical chasm teeming with ancient relics, bizarre ecosystems, and a curse that warps both body and mind. For newcomers, the sheer amount of content can feel as deep and confusing as the pit itself. This complete viewing guide organizes every piece of the puzzle, from anime seasons and films to manga volumes and video games, so you can descend into the story with confidence.

The World of the Abyss: Setting and Core Concepts

Before diving into the watch order, it helps to understand what makes Orth and the Abyss so captivating. The town of Orth is built around the rim of the Abyss, a mysterious hole discovered 1,900 years prior. Brave explorers known as Cave Raiders descend in search of Artifacts, priceless relics left by an unknown civilization. Their ranks are marked by Whistles, colored by expertise: Red Whistles (novices), Blue Whistles (assistants), Moon Whistles (teachers), Black Whistles (masters), and the legendary White Whistles, whose feats are the stuff of myth.

The deeper you go, the more the laws of nature twist. The Curse of the Abyss affects anyone who ascends, starting with mild dizziness in the upper layers and escalating to severe nausea, hallucinations, or even death further down. In the Sixth Layer, the "Capital of the Unreturned," the loss of humanity or life is nearly certain. This blend of childlike wonder and visceral body horror gives Made in Abyss its unforgettable identity and is essential to understanding every viewing entry.

The Anime Series: Seasons, Movies, and Essential Viewing

The anime adaptation, produced by Kinema Citrus, is celebrated for its lush backgrounds, haunting score by Kevin Penkin, and emotionally devastating storytelling. Knowing the production journey helps clarify why some content is presented in both TV and film formats.

Season 1 (2017): The First Descent

The 13-episode first season adapts the manga from Chapter 1 to the beginning of Volume 4. It introduces 12-year-old Riko, an orphaned Red Whistle who dreams of becoming a White Whistle like her mother, Lyza the Annihilator. Her life changes when a robot boy named Reg falls from the Abyss and saves her from a dangerous creature. After a message from Lyza surfaces, Riko and Reg defy the orphanage and begin their forbidden journey into the chasm. Along the way they meet mentors like the former White Whistle Ozen, confront the monstrous crimson splitjaw, and navigate the perilous Forest of Temptation. The season ends on a cliffhanger in the Fourth Layer’s Goblets of Giants, leaving viewers desperate for more.

Watch it on: HIDIVE, Amazon Prime Video, or on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks.

Recap Films: Journey’s Dawn and Wandering Twilight (2019)

To bridge the gap to the sequel, two compilation movies were released:

  • Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn – Recaps episodes 1-8 with some new scenes and an early glimpse of the Bondrewd arc’s prologue.
  • Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight – Recaps episodes 9-13, also adding extra footage that foreshadows the Fifth Layer.

These are not strictly necessary if you’ve watched the full season, but they serve as a streamlined refresher and include minor canon additions. More importantly, they set the stage for the first original feature film.

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

This standalone movie adapts the Ilblu arc (Volumes 4–5) and is an absolute must-watch. It continues directly after Season 1, with Riko, Reg, and their new bunny-like friend Nanachi descending into the Fifth Layer, the Sea of Corpses. Here they face Bondrewd the Novel, a chillingly charismatic White Whistle who commands the Ido Front research facility. The film pushes the boundaries of the franchise’s darkness, delving into scientific cruelty, the nature of sacrifice, and the cost of love. It was also screened in theaters internationally and remains one of the most critically acclaimed anime films of the decade. Please note that despite its cute character designs, this movie contains extremely disturbing imagery and themes unsuitable for children.

Season 2: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (2022)

Often referred to as Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, this 12-episode season picks up immediately after Dawn of the Deep Soul. The trio reaches the Sixth Layer, the Capital of the Unreturned, where they encounter a bizarre village formed from the wishes of its inhabitants and a hollow named Faputa. The arc shifts focus to the history of the Ganja suicide corps and their founder, Vueko, exploring the genesis of the village and the terrible curse that binds everyone. It’s a slower, more philosophical chapter, but with moments of intense body horror and heartbreak that rival anything that came before. The season adapts Volumes 6 through 10 of the manga and ends with a poignant sense of closure while leaving threads for the future.

The Manga: Where the Descent Continues

Akihito Tsukushi’s ongoing manga is published on Takeshobo’s Web Comic Gamma and collected in Seven Seas Entertainment English volumes. The art style blends soft, rounded characters with intricate mechanical designs and landscapes, creating a dreamlike yet oppressive atmosphere. While the anime is remarkably faithful, the manga includes additional lore, side notes, and Tsukushi’s own worldbuilding illustrations.

As of 2025, the manga has published 12 volumes, with story arcs that stretch beyond the anime:

  • Orth Arc (Vols. 1-2): Riko’s origin and the first layer entry. Anime: Season 1.
  • Seeker Camp Arc (Vols. 3-4): Ozen’s training and the survival in the Third Layer. Anime: Season 1.
  • Ilblu Arc (Vols. 4-5): The Encounter with Bondrewd. Anime: Dawn of the Deep Soul film.
  • Ilblu’s Flesh Arc (Vols. 6-7): Beginning of the Capital of the Unreturned. Anime: early Season 2.
  • The Golden City Arc (Vols. 8-10): Faputa and the village’s climax. Anime: remainder of Season 2.
  • The Current Arc (Vols. 11+): Takes place in the Seventh Layer, the Final Maelstrom, where the very concepts of time and life unravel.

For a full experience, read from Volume 1 onward. Those who finished Season 2 can jump to Volume 11 to continue Riko’s quest, but be prepared for slow release schedules. Tsukushi often takes long breaks to maintain the manga’s meticulous detail.

A Complete Chronological Watch Order (No Confusion)

Mixed media releases often confuse newcomers, so here is the definitive, chronological order to experience the main Made in Abyss anime story. This path assumes you want to consume everything without overlap skipping:

  1. Made in Abyss Season 1 (Episodes 1-13) — 2017
  2. Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn (Recap film) — Optional, but includes new scenes.
  3. Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight (Recap film) — Optional, but connects cleanly to the next entry.
  4. Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (Film) — Essential canon sequel.
  5. Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (Season 2, Episodes 1-12) — Essential canon sequel.

For a minimal route: skip the two recap films entirely and go straight from Season 1 to Dawn of the Deep Soul. You will not miss any critical story beats.

Expanded Universe: Games, Music, and More

Video Games

The franchise has also made its gaming debut, though notably with an official RPG that serves as a parallel story approved by Tsukushi:

  • Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness (2022) – Available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. It offers two modes: "Hello Abyss," which retells the anime plot from Layer 1 to the fight with Bondrewd, and "Deep in Abyss," an original story where players create their own Cave Raider and descend in a challenging survival simulation. The original mode is notoriously difficult and captures the terrifying spirit of the show.
  • Made in Abyss: The Lost Valley – A mobile game that was released in Japan but is no longer active. It offered a lighter, exploration-focused side story.

Fans of resource management and strategic planning will especially appreciate Binary Star, though it’s recommended you finish Season 1 before playing the original story mode to avoid spoilers.

Music and Soundtrack

Kevin Penkin’s musical score is a character in its own right. The soundtracks for Season 1, the Dawn of the Deep Soul film, and Season 2 are available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Tracks like “Hanezeve Caradhina,” “Tomorrow,” and “VOH” blend orchestral swells, ethnic chanting, and electronic elements to evoke the Abyss’s dual nature of wonder and dread. Listening to the scores independently is a powerful way to relive the emotional arcs.

The Global Fan Community and Resources

The Made in Abyss community thrives across platforms such as Reddit’s r/MadeInAbyss, the AniList and MyAnimeList clubs, and Twitter. Many fans create stunning fan art, deep-dive lore analyses, and guides for the harder-to-find manga side stories. The official Made in Abyss Wiki is an excellent encyclopedic source for character backstories, Abyss layer details, and artifact compilations, but beware of spoilers if you are not caught up.

For merchandise, Good Smile Company and other manufacturers release Nendoroids and scale figures of Riko, Reg, Nanachi, and Bondrewd. Official artbooks like Made in Abyss Official Artworks: Down to the Bottom offer Tsukushi’s concept sketches and commentary. Engaging with these resources deepens appreciation for the intricate worldbuilding.

Despite its child-like protagonists, Made in Abyss contains extreme content that surfaces often in discussions. Graphic depictions of mutilation, experimentation on children, loss of bodily autonomy, and psychological trauma are not mere shock value—they serve the narrative’s examination of sacrifice and ambition. However, they can be deeply upsetting. New viewers should treat the series as a mature, horror-inflected fantasy and, if sensitive, consult content warning guides before watching Dawn of the Deep Soul or Season 2. The emotional payoff is profound, but only if you are prepared for the journey.

Conclusion: Your Dive Into the Unknown

Made in Abyss is more than a viewing schedule; it’s an emotional descent that rewards every bit of engagement, whether through the animated adaptations, the original manga, or the interactive terror of a video game. The order provided here—starting with Season 1, moving through Dawn of the Deep Soul, and finishing with Season 2—offers the smoothest narrative path. From there, the manga waits in the Seventh Layer, and the community is eager to theorize about what lies at the bottom. Take a deep breath, adjust your whistle, and begin your own adventure into one of anime’s most unforgettable worlds.