If you’re diving into the emotional, breathtaking world of Made in Abyss, you’re in for a ride like no other.
Between its stunning animation, haunting soundtrack, and deeply emotional storytelling, Made in Abyss has captured the hearts of anime fans around the world. But if you’ve ever tried to figure out the right watch order, you’ll know it’s a little more complicated than just “start from episode 1.”
With multiple seasons, movies, and recap films, it can be confusing to figure out where to begin and what you can skip without missing important story beats.
That’s why we built this ultimate Made in Abyss watch order guide. Whether you’re a first-time explorer, a returning fan refreshing your memory, or a completionist aiming to experience every detail, this guide has you covered. We’ll break down the TV series, movies, specials, and even the upcoming 2025 releases.
By the end, you’ll know exactly where to start, what to skip, and how to experience Made in Abyss in the best possible way.
Recommended Watch Order (Best for Most Viewers)
If you just want the best and most straightforward Made in Abyss experience, this is the watch order you should follow. It presents the story exactly as it unfolds, ensuring you don’t miss any major character developments or important lore.
Here’s the best Made in Abyss watch order:
- Made in Abyss (Season 1, 2017) – 13 Episodes
- Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (Movie, 2020)
- Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (Season 2, 2022) – 12 Episodes
- Made in Abyss (Season 3, Coming 2025)
This order is ideal for new viewers, casual anime fans, and anyone who doesn’t want to get bogged down in optional content like recap movies.
Why It’s Confusing to Watch This in Order
It’s not unusual for anime series to have multiple versions of the same story. Made in Abyss adds to the confusion by inserting recap films between its seasons. New fans might mistakenly watch only the movies and then jump into Season 2, missing essential emotional moments.
Additionally, if you skip the movie Dawn of the Deep Soul, you’ll be completely lost when Season 2 starts. The movie is not a side story. It is a full, canon continuation of the plot. That’s why knowing the correct order matters a lot with this series.
Franchise Overview: What’s Included?
The Made in Abyss franchise includes several types of content like TV seasons, movies, and compilation (recap) films. Luckily, it doesn’t have confusing spin-offs or alternate universes. However, the recap movies sometimes make it tricky for newcomers to figure out if they are necessary.
Here’s everything included:
- Made in Abyss (Season 1, 2017) – Original TV series
- Journey’s Dawn (Movie, 2019) – Recap of episodes 1–8
- Wandering Twilight (Movie, 2019) – Recap of episodes 9–13
- Dawn of the Deep Soul (Movie, 2020) – Canon sequel movie
- The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (Season 2, 2022) – TV series continuation
- Season 3 (expected in 2025) – Direct sequel continuing the adventure
In short, the recap movies are optional. Everything else is canon and essential to follow the main story.
All Watch Orders Explained
Choosing the right order to watch Made in Abyss can change how you experience the story. Below, we break down all three main watch orders and explain which one is best for you.
Chronological Order (In-Universe Timeline)
Chronological order means you follow the story exactly as it happens to the characters, without worrying about release dates. For Made in Abyss, this order is simple and straightforward:
- Made in Abyss (Season 1)
- Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (Movie)
- Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (Season 2)
- Made in Abyss (Season 3, 2025)
This is the best choice for people who want a pure storytelling experience without any gaps or confusion. It’s also perfect for first-time viewers.
Release Order
Release order simply follows when each entry came out in real life. It’s good for those who want to experience the franchise the same way the fanbase originally did.
- Made in Abyss (Season 1, 2017)
- Journey’s Dawn (Recap Movie, 2019)
- Wandering Twilight (Recap Movie, 2019)
- Dawn of the Deep Soul (Movie, 2020)
- The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (Season 2, 2022)
- Season 3 (2025)
Following release order works best for completionists who want to see how the franchise evolved, including the recap films.
Creator’s Intended Order
Fortunately, there’s no messy director’s cut or alternate universe versions for Made in Abyss. The creator’s intended watch order matches the Chronological Order. That means following the original TV show, then the sequel movie, then the following seasons.
If you want to experience the story exactly how the original team planned it, this is your best bet. It’s also the least confusing option.
Skip or Optional Content
Made in Abyss has very little filler, but there are some optional entries you can skip without losing important plot points.
- Skip: Journey’s Dawn (recap of Season 1 first half)
- Skip: Wandering Twilight (recap of Season 1 second half)
If you’ve already watched the original 13-episode Season 1, you do not need to watch these movies. They’re mostly for people who want a refresher before watching Dawn of the Deep Soul.
If you’re short on time or want the richest emotional experience, definitely stick with the full TV series version.
Where to Watch in 2025
Finding where to watch Made in Abyss is easier than ever thanks to streaming platforms. Here’s where you can find each part of the franchise:
- HIDIVE: Full catalog, including all seasons and movies (official site)
- Amazon Prime Video: Season 1 is included. You can add HIDIVE as a channel for movies and Season 2.
- Apple TV: Individual episodes and movies available for purchase.
- Netflix: Available in select regions like Japan and parts of Southeast Asia. You may need a VPN.
- Disney+: Limited to certain Asian territories. Not available everywhere.
If you’re watching from North America, subscribing to HIDIVE is your best and easiest option.
Pro Tips for First-Time Viewers
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. Here’s how you can make your first Made in Abyss experience even better:
- Start with Season 1. The movies skip emotional nuances that make the story hit harder.
- Pace yourself. The series gets extremely intense emotionally and visually. Take breaks between arcs if needed.
- Starter Pack Recommendation:
Watch Season 1 and Dawn of the Deep Soul. If you love it, continue to Season 2.
By approaching it this way, you avoid burnout and fully appreciate the journey into the Abyss.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the smoothest and most rewarding Made in Abyss watch order, you should absolutely stick to Season 1 ➔ Dawn of the Deep Soul ➔ Season 2 ➔ Season 3.
It preserves every emotional beat, every mystery, and every beautiful yet heart-wrenching moment that the series is famous for.
If you’re pressed for time or unsure, skip the recap movies and just focus on the original TV series and the canon films.
Bookmark this guide so you can return to it later. If you know someone else about to explore the Abyss, share this with them. It might just save their heart from some extra confusion (but sadly, not from the feels).
Made in Abyss FAQs
Q1: Can I skip the recap movies?
A: Yes. If you watch Season 1, there’s no need to watch Journey’s Dawn and Wandering Twilight. They’re only helpful if you need a recap before diving into the movie.
Q2: Do I need to watch the movies?
A: You absolutely need to watch Dawn of the Deep Soul. It continues the main story and sets up important events for Season 2. Skipping it will leave you confused.
Q3: What’s the best starting point if I don’t want to watch everything?
A: Stick with the core:
- Season 1
- Dawn of the Deep Soul
- Season 2
You’ll get 95% of the core experience without touching the recap movies.
Q4: Is the series finished?
A: No. The story continues with Season 3 confirmed and expected to release in 2025. The adventure deeper into the Abyss is far from over.
