Kadokawa’s official anime YouTube channel released a lyric video for “Chain of the Abyss,” performed by Kevin Penkin featuring Mori Calliope, following the theatrical release of Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi across Japan on October 23, 2026, Crunchyroll reported.
The song serves as the theme for the new film, translating to “Awakening Mystery,” which marks the start of a new film series rather than a confirmed trilogy, according to Anime News Network. Australian composer Kevin Penkin has scored the franchise since its first television season in 2017, while virtual artist Mori Calliope made her major label debut with Universal Music in 2022.
Three Facts About the Release
- “Chain of the Abyss” is composed by Kevin Penkin with vocals by virtual artist Mori Calliope.
- Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi opened across Japan on October 23, 2026, ranking sixth in its opening weekend and eighth in its second weekend.
- Animation production for the project is handled by Kinema Citrus.
Box Office Performance and Production Background
The theatrical rollout for Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi began on October 23, 2026, landing the feature at number six during its opening weekend in Japan. By its second weekend, the film slipped to the eighth position in box office rankings. The production features a returning core staff from the television anime, with Masayuki Kojima directing at studio Kinema Citrus, Hideyuki Kurata writing scripts, and Kazuchika Kise and Yuka Kuroda designing characters.
| Release Milestone | Ranking / Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Weekend | Ranked 6th in Japan (October 2026) |
| Second Weekend | Ranked 8th in Japan |
| Studio | Kinema Citrus |
The franchise stems from Akihito Tsukushi’s manga, serialized by Takeshobo. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes the manga in English. The narrative follows young orphan Riko as she explores the massive cave system known as the Abyss alongside a robot boy she discovers in the depths.
Kadokawa Announces Franchise Continuation Following Previous Television Seasons
Kadokawa announced a sequel to the second television season, Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, in January 2023. That second television season aired from July to September 2022 following the first season in July 2017. Sentai Filmworks licensed the first season and released it on Blu-ray Disc in October 2018, with Amazon’s Anime Strike streaming the English-subtitled version in the United States and HIDIVE streaming it outside the United States. Sentai Filmworks also licensed the second season for digital and home video release while HIDIVE streamed it as it aired. The franchise also includes a two-part compilation film project released in January 2019 and the feature film Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul in January 2020. The first compilation film opened in Japan in January 2019, with Sentai Filmworks premiering it in Los Angeles in March 2019 before its theatrical release later that month, followed two weeks later by the second film, which Sentai Filmworks premiered in Rosemont, Illinois in May 2019 before its U.S. theatrical release. Both compilation films stream on HIDIVE.
While the first part of the new film series is currently playing in Japanese theaters, production on the second part is already underway. Studio staff have not confirmed whether the overall cinematic project will span three films or extend further.
