Starting off as a successful web manga, Made in Abyss now not only has an anime adaptation, but also an upcoming video game and live-action movie in the works. Though it looks like a more childish series than it is, Made in Abyss is a terrifying adventure series that journeys straight into the Earth's heart of darkness.
The series's manga and anime have been available in English for quite some time now and, with a second season coming soon, there's no better time to get into the series. Here's a look at what the spelunking story of Made in Abyss and where and how its different versions can be enjoyed.
What Is the Plot of Made in Abyss?
Made in Abyss follows a young orphan named Riko, who lives in a town called Orth that is built around a hole that reaches miles into the Earth. This hole, known as the Abyss, is a frequent destination for adventure seekers, who explore its remains of civilizations from long ago.
Few have made it to the bottom of this pit and come back to tell the tale, with many being affected by a syndrome called "the Curse of the Abyss." Riko's mother once ventured to the bottom of the Abyss, but she vanished on the return trip. Riko, along with a mysterious robot boy named Reg, resolve to venture into the Abyss' lower layers and reunite with Riko's mom.
Where to Read the Made in Abyss Manga
The series was created by Akihito Tsukushi, and is published online in Takeshobo's Web Comic Gamma. Running since 2012, the series has so far been collected into nine volumes. Seven Seas Entertainment handles the English license, and all nine books have been translated and released in English-speaking territories. Seven Seas also translated the anthology book Made in Abyss Official Anthology - Layer 1: Irredeemable Cave Raiders.
The translated books are available digitally through the Comixology service, as well as through physical retailers like Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Right Stuf Anime. This includes, for most of these retailers, the anthology book as well. It's worth noting, however, that Made In Abyss is classified officially as seinen. Though the art style and cute characters might make it seem like a child's series, the actual content and sometime harrowing situations quickly prove otherwise.
Where to Watch the Made in Abyss Anime
The anime adaptation of Made in Abyss was announced back in 2016 before being released a year later in the summer of 2017. Kinema Citrus handled the show, with Masayuki Kojima, known for anime such as Black Bullet and the horror series Monster, having directed the latter. The 13-episode season adapted the first three volumes of the manga, with two compilation movies later released that repackaged the episodes. This was followed by the sewuel film Made in Abyss the Movie: Dawn of the Deep Soul. Coming next year is the show's official second season, subtitled The Golden City of the Scorching Sun.
The series was first brought into English through Sentai Filmworks via Amazon Prime Video in America and on Hidive elsewhere. The latter is where Dawn of the Deep Soul can also be streamed. The DVD and Blu-Ray collections for the show and the movies can be bought through Amazon, Walmart and other retailers, making them fairly accessible. Aanyone wanting the easiest way to catch up with the series and be ready for the second season would find watching the show or the movies the best path to getting into Made in Abyss.
