Posted by matthewhughs | Jun 23, 2024 | Anime
The needle in the haystack, diamond in the rough, both phrases understate just how amazing Made in Abyss is in today’s Anime vast library. On surface it just looks like a series about children going on a dangerous adventure but Made in Abyss is so much more than that. The complexity and depth to which this Anime’s production goes to is nothing less than astonishing. Whether it be three different stories converging stories coming together in a wonderful way or the totally new symbol-based language created just for the show, the painstaking labor and care that went into crafting Made in Abyss is truly incredible.
With two seasons (12 to 13 episodes each) and three movies (although movies 1 and 2 are just a repeat of season 1 of the series, movie 3 is the only one that progresses the story), Made in Abyss is on the shorter side compared to other successful animations. Despite the short nature of this series, Made in Abyss season 1, 2 and the movie are among the top 100 best Anime of all time. All of this with the expectation that there will be at least a third season coming soon and potentially several more seasons in the years after that. To enjoy Made in Abyss in the most optimal way, one must watch season 1 or movies 1 and 2 first, which is simply called Made in Abyss; then watch movie three called Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul; and finally, season 2 called Made in Abyss: The Golden City of Scorching Sun. The entire series and the movies can be streamed on Prime Video.
No spoilers, but here is a quick summary of the overarching story. After humanity was thought to have explored and conquered the entire world, an island in the middle of the ocean was found. In the middle of this island, a giant pit was found. Within this abyss, strange creatures, other worldly landscapes, and relics of long-lost civilizations could be found. The story begins with the main character, Riko, and is set nearly 2000 years after the discovery of the abyss. Even at this point, man has not yet conquered the abyss or even reached the bottom it due to the peril and danger. Despite this, the 12-year-old Riko is called on to delve into the abyss and reach depths that no human has ever reached before. Riko and one of her friends decide to descend into the abyss and embark on an adventure that they can never return from. Death around every corner, seemingly impossible decisions, the very pinnacle of emotional highs and lows, and of course the gross and/or gory scenes that come with this type of adventure are just a few of the elements that Made in Abyss ties into its story to make it one of the most epic Fantasy Adventure stories ever told.
If the story wasn’t amazing enough, it is complimented by some of the most amazing OST (background music) ever created. Composed by the prolific Kevin Penkin, each track matches each scene with absolute perfection, enhancing the viewer’s emotional connection to the scenes and creating an overall stunning experience. Some of the OST also incorporates lyrics from original language created just for Made in Abyss, further immersing the viewer into the abyssal world.
Keeping all that in mind, it is safe for me to say that this is one of the best Anime series of all time. The depth of the story makes it an absolute must-watch, not to mention all the other aspects at play within the series. I could not recommend Made in Abyss more to anyone interested. However, I would recommend only viewing it if you are 18 years or older because there are some gross, gory, and other graphic scenes in the series. If I had to give Made in Abyss a rating, I would give a 9.5 out of 10. The only reason it is not a 10 out of 10 in my book is because the story is not even close to finished yet and I would really like to see how the rest of the story plays out. There is no set release date for season 3 yet, but it is confirmed to be coming at some point.
If you have seen Made in Abyss or are planning to watch it soon, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Please feel free to comment below!
