Finding a legal stream for Akihito Tsukushi’s masterpiece is, quite frankly, a nightmare. You’d think a show this famous—with its haunting Kevin Penkin score and that deceptive "cute kids on an adventure" aesthetic that eventually rips your heart out—would be everywhere. It isn't. Because of messy licensing deals between Sentai Filmworks, HIDIVE, and the big titans like Crunchyroll or Netflix, the answer to made in abyss where to watch changes depending on where you live and how much you're willing to juggle subscriptions.
It's a masterpiece. Truly. But it's also a logistical headache.
Most people start their journey into the Abyss and get stuck after episode 13. They don't realize there’s a vital movie they have to watch before Season 2 even makes sense. If you skip Dawn of the Deep Soul and jump straight into The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, you’re going to be hopelessly confused within five minutes. I’ve seen it happen. People think the movies are just recaps. They aren't. Well, two are, but one is the literal bridge between seasons.
The HIDIVE Monopoly and Why It Matters
Right now, if you are in the United States, your primary destination for made in abyss where to watch is HIDIVE. Since AMC Networks acquired Sentai Filmworks (the licensor for the show), they’ve pulled most of the content onto their own platform to drive subscriptions. It’s annoying, sure, but it’s the reality of the 2026 streaming landscape.
HIDIVE currently hosts the entire TV series. That includes the first season from 2017 and the second season, The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, which aired in 2022. They also have the crucial third movie. If you’re looking for the easiest "one-stop shop," this is basically it. However, the HIDIVE interface is... let's say, an acquired taste. It lacks the polish of its competitors, but if you want to see Riko and Reg descend into the literal bowels of the earth, you sort of have to deal with it.
There was a time when Netflix carried the first season in several territories, and for a brief window, it was even on Amazon Prime Video via the now-defunct "Anime Strike" channel. Those days are gone. If you see it on Netflix today, you’re likely in a specific region like Japan or certain parts of South East Asia. Using a VPN is an option many fans take, but strictly speaking, native US fans are locked into the Sentai ecosystem.
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Made In Abyss Where To Watch: Getting the Watch Order Right
You cannot just watch Season 1 and then Season 2. If you do that, you miss the introduction of Prushka. You miss the entire confrontation with Bondrewd, the Sovereign of Dawn, which is arguably the most "Made in Abyss" moment in the entire franchise.
Here is the flow you need to follow:
First, start with Made in Abyss Season 1. It’s 13 episodes. It starts off feeling like a Studio Ghibli fever dream and ends with you questioning your own emotional stability.
Then, ignore the first two movies, Journey's Dawn and Wandering Twilight. These are just recap films. They trim the fat of the first season to make it a theatrical experience. Unless you’re a completionist with way too much free time, skip them. They don't add enough new footage to justify the hours.
The "Must-Watch" is Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul. This is a direct sequel to Season 1. It covers the Ido Front arc. It is dark, beautiful, and absolutely essential for understanding the stakes of the second season. In the US, you can find this on HIDIVE or buy it digitally on platforms like Apple TV or Microsoft Store.
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Finally, move to Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun (Season 2). This picks up exactly where the movie ends.
The Physical Media Alternative
Honestly? Digital licensing is fickle. Shows vanish overnight because of "corporate restructuring." If you’re a die-hard fan, the best way to handle the made in abyss where to watch dilemma is to just buy the Blu-rays. Sentai puts out some pretty high-quality sets.
The "Collector’s Editions" are notorious for being expensive on the secondary market, but the standard editions are usually accessible. Owning the physical discs means you don't have to worry about whether AMC decided to renew their server costs this month. Plus, the bitrate on a Blu-ray is significantly higher than what you'll get on a compressed HIDIVE stream. When you're looking at the lush, bioluminescent backgrounds of the fourth layer, that extra visual fidelity actually matters.
Regional Availability and International Options
If you aren't in the US, things get a bit more varied. In the UK and Ireland, the series has hopped around between platforms, but it often lands on platforms like Disney+ (under the Star banner) or Crunchyroll, depending on the specific year's sub-licensing agreements.
- Canada: Follows the US trend mostly; HIDIVE is the safest bet.
- Australia: AnimeLab used to be the home, but since the Funimation/Crunchyroll merger, most of that library moved. Check Crunchyroll first, but keep a HIDIVE sub ready just in case.
- Germany/France: Local distributors like Leonine Anime often handle these, meaning they might pop up on local versions of Netflix or Amazon.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Movies
I keep seeing people on Reddit asking if the movies are "canon." In most anime, movies are side-stories or non-canonical "what if" scenarios. Not here. Dawn of the Deep Soul is as canon as the manga itself. It is the fifth layer of the Abyss. It’s where the story takes its darkest turn yet.
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Some fans also get confused by the "Anthology" shorts. These are fun, but they aren't part of the main "White Whistle" journey. Stick to the seasons and the third movie if you want the "pure" experience.
The series is currently ongoing in the manga, though the author, Tsukushi, is famously slow. He takes his time. This means Season 3 is likely years away. The current anime ends roughly around Chapter 60 of the manga. If you finish Season 2 and can't wait, you’re looking at starting the manga from Volume 11.
Actionable Steps for New Viewers
If you're ready to dive in today, do not browse spoilers. This show relies on the shock of discovery.
- Check HIDIVE first. Sign up for a trial or a one-month sub. It’s the most cost-effective way to get the bulk of the content.
- Verify the Movie. Ensure your chosen platform has Dawn of the Deep Soul. If they only have the TV seasons, you will have to rent the movie separately on Amazon or Vudu.
- Check for "The Golden City of the Scorching Sun." Some platforms list it as "Season 2," others use the subtitle. It’s the same thing.
- Audio Choice. The English dub is surprisingly excellent. Brittney Karbowski as Nanachi is a standout performance. However, the Japanese original with Mariya Ise (Reg) offers a raw emotionality that's hard to beat. Watch the first episode in both and see which one sticks.
The Abyss doesn't forgive mistakes. Neither does a bad watch order. Get these steps right, and you’re in for one of the most hauntingly beautiful stories ever told in the medium.