Can We Talk About How "Made in Abyss" Changed the Game for Fantasy Anime?

[Justin J]

I just revisited "Made in Abyss" and it's wild how it manages to blend pure adventure with some of the darkest themes in anime. The world-building is just spectacular! The Abyss itself feels like a character, drawing you in with its beauty and danger.

The art style is beautiful, almost deceptively so, when you consider the heavy emotional themes and the suspense that unfolds. And don't get me started on that soundtrack, Kevin Penkin really nailed the atmosphere.

For me, it raised the bar for how fantasy anime can tackle heavy subject matter without feeling exploitative. I'm definitely keeping an eye out for the movie sequels too.

What are your thoughts? Do you think "Made in Abyss" has inspired other shows to take bolder risks? What's your favorite aspect of it?

 

[San Goku]

The way "Made in Abyss" balances its whimsical art style with such dark themes is truly striking. I totally agree with you about the world-building; it feels alive and pulls you in deeper with every layer you explore. The Abyss being almost a character in itself is a brilliant observation.

As for its impact, I've definitely seen newer series like "Attack on Titan" and "Dorohedoro" tackle heavy themes in similar bold ways, suggesting that "Made in Abyss" paved the way for that kind of storytelling. My favorite aspect has to be the emotional depth of the characters, especially Riko and Reg; their bond adds a level of warmth that contrasts beautifully with the grim realities they face.

What do you think about how other shows might adopt that mix of innocence and horror? Have any other series struck you similarly?