Made in Abyss

Akihito Tsukushi's manga Made in Abyss begins with a simple premise: an orphan girl and a robot boy descend into a mysterious hole. But the hole, known as the Abyss, is anything but simple. It's a vast chasm that plunges miles into the Earth, filled with strange creatures, ancient relics, and a curse that afflicts anyone who tries to climb back up. Riko, the orphan, lives in the town of Orth, built on the Abyss's edge. When she meets Reg, a boy who seems to be a robot and has no memory of his past, she sees a chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a cave raider and finding her mother, who disappeared on an expedition into the depths. Together, they descend, each layer bringing new wonders and horrors.

Tsukushi's art is both adorable and unsettling, matching the story's blend of childlike wonder and visceral danger. The manga, which began serialization on Takeshobo's Web Comic Gamma website in October 2012, has grown into a substantial work, with 14 collected volumes as of August 2025. It's a dark fantasy adventure that doesn't shy away from body horror and psychological trauma, making it a compelling read for adults despite its youthful protagonists. The series has been adapted into an anime, films, and even an action RPG, and by August 2025 it had sold over 22 million copies, winning the 52nd Japan Cartoonists Association Award in 2023. For readers who enjoy stories like The Promised Neverland or Attack on Titan, Made in Abyss offers a similarly intense journey into the unknown. [edit]