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Made in Abyss: How (and where) to watch the grimdark anime series in order

Despite the cute art style, this one is definitely not for kids.

Made in Abyss Season 1 screenshot
Image credit: Kinema Citrus
Trent Cannon avatar
Guide by Trent Cannon Contributor
Published on

Many anime blend elements of science fiction with fantasy, but few do it as seamlessly as Made in Abyss. Akihito Tsukushi’s manga has sold more than 3 million copies and spawned a media franchise that includes films, video games, and anime series. It follows the story of Riko as she seeks to follow in her mother’s footsteps by diving into a dangerous chasm known as the Abyss. Though it has an adorable art style, Made in Abyss is one of the darker, more disturbing anime you'll find so be warned before you view it.

Though the anime only debuted in 2017, there have been two anime series, two recap movies, and a standalone film. This makes it somewhat tricky to know where to start with Made in Abyss, especially if you throw in the multiple flashbacks that the anime uses. If you’re feeling lost, here are the best ways to watch Made in Abyss in either chronological or release order.

How to Watch Made in Abyss in chronological order

Made in Abyss season 2 image
Image credit: Kinema Citrus

The good news is that you don’t need to worry about multiple timelines when watching Made in Abyss. Other than the two recap films, the show is pretty simple to follow. However, several major stories are told via flashbacks during the series, so watching Made in Abyss in chronological order requires a lot of jumping back and forth in the middle of episodes.

While this watch order for Made in Abyss can be fun for returning fans, it will seriously undermine the more dramatic reveals later in the show. Because of this, we don’t recommend you watch the anime in this way if it is your first time watching it.

The chronological watch order for Made in Abyss is:

How to Watch Made in Abyss in release order

Made in Abyss characters
Image credit: Kinema Citrus

As you’d imagine, it is much easier to watch Made in Abyss in release order because you don’t have to jump back and forth between episodes. Doing so also preserves the reveal of the history of the Abyss and how those who live there have adapted to it, making for a viewing experience that is far closer to what the studio intended.

The release order for Made in Abyss is:

Where can I watch Made in Abyss?

Cover image for YouTube videoMade in Abyss Season 2 - Official Trailer
Watch on YouTube

If you’re looking to catch Made in Abyss on a streaming service, you’re in luck. Both seasons and all three films are available to stream as part of a HIDIVE membership. You can also find the first season on Amazon Prime Video, though you’ll still need to subscribe to the HIDIVE channel to watch the movies or season two on Amazon.

Are the Made in Abyss movies canon?

Made in Abyss season 2 episode 7 screenshot
Image credit: Kinema Citrus

Anime movies can have a nebulous relationship with continuity. Franchises like Dragon Ball or Naruto both have several movies that aren’t considered canon to the main story in the show. However, Made in Abyss takes a different approach to its movies. While the first two movies are both recaps of the events of season 1 of the anime, Dawn of the Deep Soul directly adapts the events of the manga and takes place between the first two seasons of the anime.

You don’t need to watch the recap movies of Made in Abyss unless you want a refresher of the first season or if you want a more streamlined viewing experience. However, Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul is a crucial part of the story that you won’t want to skip during your watch.

What about the video game, Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness, released in 2022? While Akihito Tsukushi was involved in creating the story for the game, it is largely unconnected to the overarching story of Made in Abyss. You can play it if you want to, but don't feel like you have to in order to complete the story.

What’s next for Made in Abyss?

Made in Abyss season 2 episode 2 screenshot
Image credit: Kinema Citrus

It has been over a year since season two aired, so fans are eagerly expecting the story to continue. The fact that there is enough material in the manga to cover at least two more seasons of the anime has led to a lot of speculation about the future of the franchise. In January 2023, a sequel to the second season was announced, though it wasn’t clear if it would be another film or a third season of the anime.

That isn’t all that fans have to look forward to. In June 2021, Columbia Pictures announced that they were developing a live-action film adaptation of Made in Abyss. However, we haven’t heard any casting news or even who will be brought on board to direct the movie, so we’ll have to wait to see if any progress has been made.

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