7 Things That Make Made In Abyss A Must-Watch

Made in Abyss has some of the most impressive storytelling in all of anime. There are many reasons fans should consider giving Made in Abyss a watch.

BY LIAM SPENCER

PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO

Bondrew, Riko & Reg, and Nanachi

 Made in Abyss boasts some of the most impressive storytelling in all of anime. The series, which made its debut in the summer of 2017, has quickly established itself among the medium's more elaborate and story-oriented productions, securing a loyal fanbase along the way.

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In 2020, the studio behind Made in Abyss, Kinema Citrus, released the anime's first feature film, Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul, which picks up where the series left off. Since then, an announcement has been made confirming a second season for later in 2022, making now as good a time as any to start watching Made in Abyss. 

7

Elite-Level Animation

Riko, Reg, and Nanachi surrounding by greenery.

Made in Abyss is vibrant, stylish, and brilliantly detailed. The series' stunning art style is both aesthetically pleasing and frequently mesmerizing. In fact, the world is so elaborate that it can be considered a character in and of itself. This is the result of the sheer quality of animation present throughout the series.

The Abyss has been constructed with careful consideration and invention, which serves to enhance fans' viewing experience. If nothing else, the quality of Made in Abyss' animation is enough to entice the viewer to embark on a journey into the Abyss with Riko and Reg.

6

Meaningful Supporting Characters

Riko, Nanachi, and Reg in a field of flowers.

In Made in Abyss, each individual character feels significant, which means the series never suffers from introducing characters that seem unnecessary. Instead, each character plays a pivotal role in Riko and Reg's journey. By virtue of this, everyone the pair encounters on their descent into the Abyss adds some value to the narrative.

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It's the pair's interactions with the likes of Ozen and Prushka, as well as the friendship they develop with Nanachi, that serves to enhance the overall story and add depth to their relationship. Particularly notable is the shocking discovery the two make about Nanachi's beloved friend, Mitty, and how it impacts them going forward.

4

Clever Handling Of Real-World Issues

Bondrewd wearing the broken helmet.

Despite its deceptive aesthetic, Made in Abyss contains an incredibly layered narrative and a sagacious exploration of real-world issues. This is presented in a variety of ways throughout the anime with two of the more prominent examples being that of Riko as an orphan and Bondrewd as an oppressor.

Bondrewd's behavior and justification for his research are representative of real-world oppressors that rationalize their actions with claims that they're acting in the interest of the people, even at the expense of the innocent. Bondrewd's morally indefensible treatment of children in Made in Abyss underscores his role as an oppressor.

3

Effective World-Building

The city of Orth.

The world of Made in Abyss is wonderfully vast and fascinatingly detailed. It's a visual treat to observe Riko and Reg descend deeper and deeper into the Abyss, as the viewer is granted the opportunity to explore the colossal chasm along with the two determined adventurers.

Each layer is unique and contains a dissimilitude of mysterious creatures and beasts, plants and fruits, and a wonderful array of vivid colors and striking landscapes. In this way, viewers don't just observe the Abyss and its wonders—they experience it just as Riko and Reg do.

2

Made In Abyss: Dawn Of The Deep Soul Is Canon

Reg lowers Riko to safety.

Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul is one of the rare anime feature films that's actually canon for the series. Much like the initial season of Made in Abyss, Dawn of the Deep Soul honors its source material by realizing the story arcs that exist in the original manga.

For this reason, Dawn of the Deep Soul is one of the very best anime movies in the entire medium. The fact that it's a must-watch for fans only following the animated series elevates that point. It features 100-minutes of breathtaking animation, an epic showdown, and some massively significant developments in the story.

1

An Abhorrent Protagonist

Bondrewd lords over the children.

Among the many facets of great storytelling is a compelling antagonist or antagonistic force at odds with the story's hero or heroes. In the case of Made in Abyss, this is Bondrewd, an obsessed researcher willing to do anything, even if unethical, to uncover the secrets of the Abyss.