Kadokawa has announced that the critically acclaimed anime Made in Abyss will return as a series of films, with the first installment, titled Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi (Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery), set to premiere in theaters in 2026. The announcement, accompanied by a striking visual, introduces new characters and reunites the core creative team behind the franchise’s earlier successes. This marks a significant continuation of the dark fantasy adventure, following its television series and previous films.
The upcoming film series will see the return of key personnel from the Made in Abyss anime. Masayuki Kojima, known for directing Black Bullet and Tibetan Dog, will once again helm the project at Kinema Citrus, the studio behind My Happy Marriage and The Rising of the Shield Hero. Hideyuki Kurata, who worked on Samurai Flamenco and The World God Only Knows, will handle series composition. Character designs will be crafted by Kazuchika Kise, notable for Ghost in the Shell: Arise Alternative Architecture, and Yuka Kuroda, who contributed to Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun. The original voice cast for the main characters—Riko, Reg, Nanachi, and Faputa—will reprise their roles, ensuring continuity for fans of the series.
The first film’s visual introduces two new characters, Tepaste and Cravagli, hinting at fresh narrative developments. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the title Mezameru Shinpi suggests a focus on unraveling new mysteries within the Abyss, the enigmatic and perilous chasm central to the story.
Film Concert Series and Additional Made in Abyss Projects
In addition to the film series, Kadokawa revealed plans for a Made in Abyss film concert series, set to begin on February 8, 2026, at Nakano ZERO in Tokyo. The event will feature composer Kevin Penkin conducting the orchestra, with vocal performances by Takeshi Saito and KIHOW of MYTH&ROID. Cast members from the anime will also attend, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. This concert series underscores the franchise’s rich musical legacy, with Penkin’s evocative score being a hallmark of the series.
The Made in Abyss franchise continues to expand beyond the anime. A mobile game, Made in Abyss: An Unbearable and Mysterious Journey, developed by Nobollel and published by Avex Pictures, was announced in May 2025. Additionally, a live-action film adaptation is in early development at Sony’s Columbia Pictures, produced by Roy Lee and Masi Oka, with a script by Kevin McMullin.
What is Made in Abyss about?
Made in Abyss originated as a manga series written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi, first serialized on Takeshobo’s Web Comic Gamma in October 2012. As of August 2025, the manga has 14 collected volumes and over three million copies in circulation. Seven Seas Entertainment licenses the manga in North America, with translator Jake Jung ensuring consistency between the manga and anime adaptations. The series has garnered critical acclaim, earning nominations for the Manga Taishō award and winning the Excellence Award at the 52nd Japan Cartoonists Association Awards in 2023. Its unique blend of whimsical art and harrowing storytelling has made it a standout in the dark fantasy genre.
The anime adaptation began in 2017 with a 13-episode first season, followed by two compilation films in 2019, Made in Abyss: Journey’s Dawn and Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight. A third film, Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul, premiered in 2020, and the second season, Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, aired in 2022. HIDIVE, which streams the series in English, describes the second season as follows:
There is no going back for Riko, Reg, and Nanachi, and the only way forward is to the bottom of the Abyss. However, the three friends weren’t the first to enter the unknown. Whatever happened to all the other explorers who braved the Abyss?
The announcement of the Made in Abyss film series signals a new chapter for the franchise, building on its reputation for blending beauty with brutality. With the return of the original creative team and the introduction of new characters, Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi promises to deepen the lore of the Abyss. The accompanying film concert series and other projects further highlight the franchise’s enduring appeal. As 2026 approaches, anticipation builds for the next descent into this captivating and treacherous world.
Source: Comic Natalie
