Made in Abyssbecame popular through its cutesy art style, sense of adventure, and utter misery. While it looks like something kids could have watched on a Saturday morning, it gets much more grim as Riko and her robot friend Reg go through the titular Abyss. Previous explorers like the Cave Raiders have fallen afoul of its many monstrous, man-eating beasts, and those that survive usually get struck down with a “curse” that binds them to the Abyss’ depths.
The manga has received more and more fans since its 2017 anime series, its films across 2019 and 2020, and the new series that started on July 6th, 2022. Still, it’s just one dark fantasy series, and there are plenty others for fans of the genre to enjoy. Here’s a few moreanimethatMade in Abyssfans should check out.
6Berserk ‘97
Berserkwould be the most obvious dark fantasy recommendation if this was for manga. It’s a harder proposition in anime, as it hasn’t received many. The 3D series released across 2016-2017 was notoriously bad and will likely keep any future animated efforts off the table for a good while. TheGolden Age Trilogyis all pretty in that 2000s digital coloring style, but its seams get visible after a while.
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That leaves the 1997 series. Animated by OLM Inc, the company behind Pokemon (seriously),Berserk ’97is an adaptation of the manga’s Golden Age arc, which went into the backstory of its lead, the Black Swordsman Guts, and his encountersthe enigmatic Griffithand his mercenary band. The story is noticeably truncated compared to its manga counterpart, and the animation takes some shortcuts. Nonetheless, it still has the power to move and horrify with its score, storytelling, and twists. It’s harder to find in North America nowadays, but it’s worth tracking down for its shocking climax.
5Devilman Crybaby
This update of Go Nagai’sDevilmanseries is more modern with its setting, but no less fantastical or dark. Akira Fudo reconnects with his old friend Ryo Asuka, who tells Akira that his expedition to the Amazon has revealed that demons exist. He takes Akira to a nightclub to expose them, only for him to end up on the wrong end of a possession by a demon called Amon. Through sheer force of will, Akira overpowers it and gains its powers as a Devilman.
It’s a heavy story that gets bleaker and bleaker as it goes on, with a friendship at its heart that gets tested to breaking point. Though it’s based on a strip from the 1970s,Crybabyshifts it to modern day, and reframes its themes onlove, sex, bigotry,and its notoriously grim ending. Those with a strong stomach will appreciate its drama. The squeamish may prefer the next entry instead.
4Attack On Titan
Chances are this series needs no introduction. Hajime Isayama’s series has been all over the place since its debut in 2009. It follows Eren Yeager as he tries to avenge the destruction of his hometown and the death of his mother at the hands of the Titans: giant humanoid figures with a taste for flesh. As difficult as they are to fight, taking them on is easy compared tothe twists and turnsEren and his colleagues have to face along their journey.
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The manga went on to inspire an anime series, a live-action film, and miniseries. That’s not including the spin-offs like the prequelAttack on Titan: No Regrets, and two comedies inAttack on Titan: Junior HighandSpoof on Titan. So, if the main series’ themes of sacrifice, struggle, war, and death get too much, there are options to let off that steam.
3The Promised Neverland
LikeMade in Abyss, Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu’s manga seems like an innocent tale set in an orphanage at the beginning. However, Emma and her friends soon realize they’re not brought up to be adopted. They’re being raised as feeding fodder for demons to keep them from going bestial and attacking the rest of humanity. Their orphanage isn’t the only one doing this either. It’s just one of many within a network dedicated to this practice.
Emma and the rest escape and take their chances with the wild demons, while trying to figure out a way to free the kids from the other orphanages. The original manga remained strong from its 2016 inception to its finale in 2020. The anime started off strong, thenfell apart in Season 2when it told its own, less effective story. Still, that first, more faithful season is still worth watching in its entirety for maintaining the manga’s sense of dread and horror.
2Dorohedoro
In the post-apocalypse, the world has been split into three realms: the vibrant Sorcerers’ World, the trash-filled human realm of Hole, and the demon-infested Hell. They clash with each other over resources and drugs, and traffic each other for magic (sorcerers) or to be subjected to experimentation (humans). In this world, the reptile-headed amnesiac Caiman fights his way through Hole to rediscover who he is, with just his friend Nikaido as company.
Created by Q Hayashida,Dorohedoro’s original manga ran from 2000 all the way up to 2018. Yet it only received ashort but sweet anime seriesin 2020 where its dark humor and scratchy art style earned it praise from critics. It also received a 6-episode OVA series that was combined into one long episode on Netflix. Here’s hoping there’s a second season to come along the way.
1Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Wait, what? This magical girl show is somehow a dark fantasy? Well, yes. Just asMade in Abysslooks more like a JRPG tie-in than a grim adventure,Puella Magi Madoka Magicahas a dark heart. In it, Madoka and co become magical girls to protect the world from “witches.” While they get the pretty dresses and magic sparkles, it also comeswith a heavy cost. They give up their souls in a bid to fuel their magic, and they can turn into witches if their despair overcomes their soul.
The girls’ magic can get out of control, best friends die or become witches, and the powers-that-be can still take advantage of their charges. Originating as an anime directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Yukihiro Miyamoto back in 2011,Puella Magi Madoka MagicacountersSailor Moonjust likeNeon Genesis EvangelioncounteredMobile Suit Gundamwith its dark themes and brutal combat scenes.
