Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss debuted as an anime television series in 2017, produced by Kinema Citrus and directed by Masayuki Kojima. It is an adaptation of the manga series by Akihito Tsukushi, which began serialization in 2012. The series was developed to capture the unique contrast of Tsukushi’s deceptively gentle, child-like character designs against a backdrop of existential dread and visceral, high-stakes world-building. The production utilized a distinct visual palette that oscillates between whimsical discovery and brutal environmental horror, garnering significant critical attention for its tonal complexity.

The series received widespread acclaim for Kevin Penkin’s atmospheric score and the intricate, hand-drawn background art that depicted the sprawling, vertical cavern known as the Abyss. Kinema Citrus sought to maintain the detailed texture of the source material's linework, emphasizing a sense of scale and claustrophobia. Upon its release, the show was recognized for its uncompromising narrative trajectory, cementing its status as a notable entry in the dark fantasy genre and establishing a dedicated following for its haunting, philosophical exploration of curiosity and loss.