Made in Abyss

An absolutely fantastic anime with solid world-building, likable characters, and a gorgeous art style. The first episode immediately pulls you into the show and introduces you to the cast of characters and the beautiful world, and from there on it hooks the viewer with its fantastic lore and world-building, something which many shows are unable to do effectively. I'm telling you, go watch this anime right now; it's a unique gem that you absolutely will not regret watching.

PROS: + Absolutely fantastic art style and music + Great lore building + Characters are all likable and have interesting backstories + Manages to be both cute and serious

CONS: - Some minor pacing issues in the beginning but nothing serious

OVERALL: 10/10

Made in Abyss is going down as one of my favorite shows of all time. Not just one of my favorite animes, one of my favorite shows. The characters, world-building, plot progression, music, art style, animation, voice acting (sub and dub), everything is incredible.

The show is a return to fantasy elements, and doesn't set up an rpg style world or borrow from Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. It begins in an optimistic and lighthearted tone with just enough dark implications to get you wondering, but as it goes on it begins to explore the most brutal aspects of being human in an increasingly harsh manor. But it never gets to be too much, and it doesn't feel like gratuitous suffering because the two lead characters push through with hope, determination, and a childish charm.

I really hope Made in Abyss gets another season. I'm dying to know what happens after the latest episode, and I would read ahead in the manga if the author weren't such a creep. If you're prepared for a shockingly dark and intense show with incredible quality and enough high moments to get you through the low ones, then give it a watch. You won't regret it.

Throw in some Etrian Odyssey and you get a rough idea of what Made in Abyss might be.

But those may be a bit obscure as references so what does all that mean? This isn't a Studio Ghibli work, but it has a real organic, curvilinear art style that could be described as a child like look that really fits the characters who are all very young. If you know Ghibli art, you know how detail oriented it is, and how it's style really lends itself to fantasy based environments.

There isn't a more mature environment that the one presented in Dark Souls - it's all about brutal enemies in dark surroundings with no mercy given to those who participate. And this is where Made in Abyss really separates itself from the look, and truly becomes a mature story of life, love and survival. There is a quest, and one of the main characters is especially well suited to travel and survive in the brutal realm revealed as this anime unfolds.

Lastly would be Etrian Odyssey, which is another video game where you build a team and descend into a subterranean realm, each level down more challenging (and mysterious) than the level above. This is exactly like the realm in Made in Abyss - though in typical (manga) anime fashion, the abyss is far more complex than that presented in Etrian Odyssey. It has a life blood of its own, effects those in its grasp, and even can make literal changes in the characters to descend too far, or spent too much time in the harsh/unpredictable realm.

The two main characters are interesting and become more interesting as the story progresses. One character is augmented, has very obvious mysterious qualities, but the other main character may have a more bizarre background still! And added to this she appears completely normal.

But nothing is ordinary here. It's like some far distant lost civilization that lives on the edge of a great trove of artifacts. The explores descend the abyss for relics, but also out of wonder lust, and desire to understand and exploit its power.

I love this anime. The environment is complicated, but revealed in ways that serves the story and characters. The characters aren't just likable - their lovable, and to see them suffer hurts in ways that is difficult to explain. It is worth noting that this season has a lot of build up, complete with excellent foreshadowing. The season really picks up in the last 5 episodes, the last one being double length. I completely approve of the design. The build up establishes so many important story element and characters, all needed to really give the final third of the season such emotional intensity.

Even incomplete (the Manga is still being written... but there is enough content for 12 more episodes!) Made in Abyss is astonishing. It taps into so many things I love: exploration, science fantasy, a quest, a mysterious and dangerous environment with beautiful characters who support each other.

Made in Abyss is high art - 10/10

The story in the dubbed first movie is a surprising combination of what should be conflicting light and airy tones with a dark and bleak story and quest but to my surprise they came together masterfully.

The artwork, music, characters and story flow exceptionally well and before you realize it the first in the series of movies is done leaving you fulfilled but wanting the next chapter in the story.

There are gaps, characters that seem to deserve more depth and unresolved issues, but considering there are multiple movies in the series yet to be dubbed I'll have to hope all of those small things holes get filled by the end of arc.

You can tell there was a ton of effort put into this series. As someone who doesn't like the current trends in anime these days, I found massive enjoyment watching Made in Abyss. This might not make sense, but it feels really pure and new. I highly recommend just diving straight into this series without knowing much about it.