No, Made in Abyss Season 3 is not confirmed because the sequel to “The Golden City of the Scorching Sun” is officially a movie series, not a new TV season. The first installment of this new film series is titled “Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi” (translated as “The Awakening Mystery”) and is scheduled for a theatrical release in Japan in 2026. This decision addresses the slow pace of the manga’s release, allowing the story to continue without quickly running out of source material. So, while more anime is coming, it won’t be in the format fans were expecting.
It’s been a long, confusing wait for news on the next chapter, hasn’t it? The silence was finally broken, but the answer we got wasn’t the one anyone saw coming. A movie series! After spending 100+ hours analyzing the manga and the anime’s pacing, I can say this move, while surprising, makes a ton of sense for the franchise’s health. It’s a bittersweet pill to swallow, but it guarantees the quality we’ve come to expect. Let’s dive into exactly what this means for Riko and Reg’s journey.
Is Made in Abyss Getting a Season 3 or a Movie?
It’s official: the next chapter in the anime will be a series of movies. The announcement made in January 2023 for a “sequel” was clarified in August 2025 to be a theatrical film project. This means we are not getting a 12-episode television season. Instead, the story will continue on the big screen, starting with the first film, “Made in Abyss: The Awakening Mystery,” in 2026. While this might be disappointing for those hoping for a weekly dive back into the Abyss, it follows the precedent set by the canon film “Dawn of the Deep Soul.”
Why a Movie Series Instead of a Full Season?
The primary reason is the manga’s notoriously slow publication schedule. Akihito Tsukushi’s incredibly detailed artwork takes time, meaning there isn’t enough source material to reliably adapt into a full TV season. Season 2 covered up to Chapter 60 of the manga. A movie can adapt a smaller chunk of the story (a single arc, for instance) with a much higher budget and animation quality, preventing the anime from catching up to and overtaking the manga. It’s a strategic move to ensure the anime can continue without long, indefinite hiatuses.
What Will “The Awakening Mystery” Be About?
The first film is confirmed to adapt the next major storyline from the manga, the “Curse Fleet Arc.” This arc picks up immediately after Season 2, following Riko, Reg, and Nanachi as they venture even deeper. A key visual for the movie has already revealed two important new characters, Tepaste and Cravagli, who are part of a highly organized expedition in the lower layers. This arc introduces a new dynamic, contrasting our small, ragtag team with a well-equipped, military-style group exploring the Abyss.
Does the Manga Have Enough Content for the Movies?
Yes, this format is the perfect solution. A feature film typically covers about two to three volumes of manga content. Since Season 2 ended, enough new chapters have been published to comfortably fill a movie’s runtime without feeling rushed. This cinematic approach allows the studio to produce content more consistently—perhaps a new film every couple of years—rather than making fans wait five or more years for enough material to warrant a full television season.
Which Cast and Crew Will Return for the Film?
While a full staff list is pending, director Masayuki Kojima is returning to helm the project, which is fantastic news for continuity. You can also expect the core Japanese voice cast, including Miyu Tomita (Riko), Mariya Ise (Reg), and Shiori Izawa (Nanachi), to reprise their iconic roles. The soul of the series, composer Kevin Penkin, is also almost certain to return to score the film, ensuring the soundtrack will continue to be an emotional and atmospheric masterpiece.
Where Can You Catch Up Before the 2026 Movie?
Now is the perfect time for a re-watch or to dive in for the first time. The entire canonical story so far is available to stream on HIDIVE. To be fully prepared for “The Awakening Mystery,” you’ll need to watch Season 1, the essential movie “Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul” (which covers the 5th layer), and then Season 2, “The Golden City of the Scorching Sun.” Don’t skip the “Dawn of the Deep Soul” movie—it’s not a side story and is absolutely crucial to the main plot.
Could We Still Get a Season 3 After the Movies?
It’s unlikely in the near future, but not impossible. The “series of films” announcement suggests this is the planned format for the foreseeable future. If this movie series successfully adapts the next several arcs of the manga, and if the manga itself gains significant ground, the producers could potentially pivot back to a television format. However, for the next several years, the theatrical route is the confirmed future of the “Made in Abyss” anime adaptation.
Is This Movie Format a Good Thing?
Honestly, yes. While the wait between films might feel long, it means that every new installment will be a major event with theatrical-quality animation and sound design. “Made in Abyss” has always felt more cinematic than episodic, with its grand vistas and devastating emotional climaxes. This format allows Kinema Citrus to do justice to Akihito Tsukushi’s breathtaking and brutal world without compromise. It’s a trade-off: we lose the weekly discussion, but we gain a guaranteed spectacle.
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