by “Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” reveals a new trailer, new characters, and the theme song “Chain of the Abyss” by Kevin Penkin feat. Mori Calliope
The upcoming theatrical anime “Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” has revealed exciting new details, including a new promotional trailer, additional cast members, and its highly anticipated theme song.
Adding an unexpected international touch to the film, Mori Calliope, a VTuber from Hololive English (Hololive EN), will perform the theme song alongside returning composer Kevin Penkin.
The song, titled “Chain of the Abyss,” is a newly written track created for the movie. Kevin Penkin is once again responsible for the composition and arrangement, while the lyrics are credited to Penkin and Mori Calliope.
The announcement has generated considerable excitement among Made in Abyss and Hololive fans, particularly because Penkin’s music has been an important part of the anime’s identity since the beginning of the adaptation.
The first installment of the new theatrical series, “Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” (Japanese title: Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi), is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on October 23, 2026. It will directly continue the story of the second TV anime season, Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun.
New “Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” Trailer Reveals the Seventh Layer
The newly released trailer gives fans their first major look at the next stage of Riko and her companions’ journey.
The story continues after the events of The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, with Riko, Reg, Nanachi and Faputa continuing their descent into the unexplored depths of the Abyss.
The group is now moving toward the Seventh Layer, one of the deepest and most mysterious areas of the Abyss.
The trailer introduces several new scenes and characters while emphasizing the dangerous environment awaiting the explorers.
Among the newly revealed characters are Tepaste and Clavari, who will play important roles in the upcoming story.
The footage also gives viewers a glimpse of the increasingly dangerous journey ahead. As Riko and the others move farther into the Abyss, the familiar rules of the surface world become increasingly meaningless, and the dangers surrounding the group continue to grow.
For longtime viewers, the move into the Seventh Layer is particularly exciting because the anime is entering a part of the story that has not previously been animated.
New Cast Members Join the Movie
Along with the trailer, additional cast information has been announced.
Sumire Morohoshi will voice Tepaste, while Takayuki Hoshino will portray Clavari.
The new characters expand the cast as the story moves into its next phase, adding new personalities and perspectives to Riko’s journey.
The returning main cast includes:
- Miyu Tomita as Riko
- Mariya Ise as Reg
- Shiori Izawa as Nanachi
- Misaki Kuno as Faputa
The production is also bringing back key members of the creative team. Masayuki Kojima returns as director, while Hideyuki Kurata handles series composition and screenplay. Character design is being handled by Yuka Kuroda and Kazuchika Kise, with Kinema Citrus once again producing the animation.
The return of the core production team is particularly significant because the visual and emotional identity of Made in Abyss has been closely associated with this staff since the first season.
Mori Calliope Joins Kevin Penkin for “Chain of the Abyss”
One of the biggest surprises surrounding the new movie is the announcement of its theme song.
The first part of the theatrical series will feature:
“Chain of the Abyss” — Kevin Penkin feat. Mori Calliope
Kevin Penkin serves as the composer and arranger, while the lyrics are credited to Kevin Penkin and Mori Calliope.
Mori Calliope is a member of Hololive English, making this a notable collaboration between a major anime franchise and one of the most recognizable VTuber performers from the English-speaking virtual entertainment scene.
The collaboration is particularly interesting because Made in Abyss has always placed enormous importance on its music.
The soundtrack is not simply used to accompany action scenes. It often helps establish the scale, mystery, and emotional weight of the Abyss itself.
Penkin’s compositions have become closely associated with the franchise, making his return one of the most anticipated aspects of the new movie.
Now, adding Mori Calliope to that musical identity gives the film a new international dimension.
Why Kevin Penkin’s Return Matters
Kevin Penkin has composed the music for the Made in Abyss anime since the beginning of its television adaptation.
His music helped establish the distinctive atmosphere of the series, balancing beautiful melodies with a sense of mystery and danger.
That combination is particularly important for Made in Abyss because the story constantly moves between two very different emotions.
On one hand, the Abyss is beautiful.
It contains extraordinary landscapes, strange creatures, and mysterious relics.
On the other hand, it is extremely dangerous.
Every descent comes with new risks, and the deeper Riko and her companions travel, the more difficult it becomes to return.
Penkin’s music has traditionally reflected that contrast.
With “Chain of the Abyss,” fans will get another original composition designed specifically for the new theatrical chapter.
Mori Calliope Adds an International Connection
The involvement of Mori Calliope is also notable because Made in Abyss has a strong international fanbase.
Hololive EN has helped build a large global audience for Japanese virtual entertainment, particularly among English-speaking fans.
Calliope’s participation therefore allows the film to reach audiences who may already be familiar with her music but have not necessarily followed every stage of the Made in Abyss franchise.
For existing fans, meanwhile, the collaboration represents an unusual meeting point between two very different forms of Japanese entertainment.
The response from fans online has already highlighted the unexpected nature of the pairing, with many viewers expressing surprise and excitement at seeing Mori Calliope’s name alongside Kevin Penkin and Made in Abyss.
It also makes the theme song one of the most closely watched parts of the upcoming movie.
The Story Continues After Season 2
For newcomers, it is important to understand where “Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” fits into the franchise.
The Made in Abyss anime began with its first TV season in 2017.
It was followed by the theatrical film “Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul” in 2020.
The second TV season, “Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun,” aired in 2022.
The new theatrical series continues directly from those events.
In simple terms, viewers should watch the previous anime installments before seeing the new movie.
The upcoming film is not a reboot or a retelling.
It is the next chapter of Riko and Reg’s journey.
What Is “Made in Abyss” About?
The story takes place around a gigantic unexplored chasm known as the Abyss.
The Abyss contains mysterious relics and strange creatures, attracting explorers known as Cave Raiders.
However, descending into the Abyss is extremely dangerous.
The deeper an explorer travels, the greater the danger becomes, and returning to the surface can cause devastating physical effects because of the Abyss’s mysterious curse.
The central character, Riko, is a young Cave Raider who dreams of following in the footsteps of her legendary mother.
During her journey, she meets Reg, a mysterious robot-like boy who has lost his memories.
Together, they descend deeper and deeper into the Abyss.
What initially appears to be a classic adventure story gradually becomes much darker, with the series combining fantasy, mystery, science-fiction elements, and emotional drama.
That contrast between beautiful imagery and disturbing dangers has become one of the defining characteristics of Made in Abyss.
A New Chapter Begins in the Seventh Layer
The upcoming film will move the characters farther into unexplored territory.
The newly released trailer shows Riko, Reg, Nanachi, and Faputa continuing their journey toward the Seventh Layer.
This is an important development because the Abyss becomes increasingly mysterious as the group moves downward.
Every new layer has introduced unfamiliar creatures, environments, and rules.
The Seventh Layer promises to push that concept even further.
The trailer also introduces new characters, suggesting that Riko’s group will encounter people whose goals and knowledge may influence the direction of their journey.
The presence of Tepaste and Clavari adds another layer of mystery to the upcoming story.
New Characters Tepaste and Clavari Join the Journey
Tepaste and Clavari are among the most important new faces revealed for Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery.
While the trailer does not reveal everything about their roles, their appearance indicates that Riko’s group will not be traveling through the Seventh Layer completely alone.
Tepaste is voiced by Sumire Morohoshi, an actress and voice performer known for a wide range of anime roles.
Clavari is voiced by Takayuki Hoshino, adding another experienced performer to the cast.
The mystery surrounding these characters is likely to be one of the reasons fans will be watching the new movie closely.
Kinema Citrus Returns for the New Movie
Animation production will once again be handled by Kinema Citrus.
The studio has been responsible for the previous Made in Abyss anime projects and is returning for the new theatrical series.
This continuity is important because the world of Made in Abyss depends heavily on detailed backgrounds, unusual creatures, and carefully designed environments.
The Abyss itself is effectively one of the main characters of the story.
Every layer needs to feel different from the previous one, while still belonging to the same enormous world.
Kinema Citrus’s continued involvement should allow the new film to maintain the visual language established by the earlier anime adaptations.
The Manga Has Reached a Major Milestone
The Made in Abyss franchise is also entering this new anime phase with strong momentum from the original manga.
The manga, created by Akihito Tsukushi, has surpassed 22 million copies in circulation.
The latest, 14th volume, was released on August 8.
The timing is significant because the manga continues to provide the source material for the anime’s next major storyline.
For fans who want to continue the story beyond the second anime season, the manga provides additional material connected to the new theatrical adaptation.
A New Movie Series Rather Than a Single Film
Another important point is that Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery is the first installment of a new theatrical series.
The project was announced as a continuation of the anime franchise, with the first film initially announced for 2026 before its specific Japanese release date was later confirmed as October 23, 2026.
This format gives the franchise room to continue adapting the story as the manga progresses.
Rather than rushing the material into a single television season, the theatrical format allows the production team to create a more focused cinematic experience.
For viewers, it also means that the upcoming movie should be considered the beginning of another major stage in Riko and Reg’s adventure rather than its conclusion.
Theater Release Information
“Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” will be released in Japanese theaters on:
October 23, 2026
The film is scheduled to screen at 153 theaters nationwide, including major cinemas in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and other regions.
Among the listed venues are:
- Shinjuku Wald 9
- TOHO Cinemas Hibiya
- TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku
- TOHO Cinemas Umeda
- TOHO Cinemas Namba
- TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro
- Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro
- 109 Cinemas Osaka Expocity
- Hiroshima Wald 11
- T-Joy Hakata
The nationwide theatrical rollout demonstrates the strong expectations surrounding the new Made in Abyss movie.
Why Fans Are Excited for “Awakening Mystery”
There are several reasons the new film has become one of the most anticipated anime movies of 2026.
First, the story continues directly after the events of Season 2.
Second, the protagonists are heading into the mysterious Seventh Layer.
Third, new characters will expand the world.
Fourth, the original creative team is returning.
And finally, Kevin Penkin and Mori Calliope are collaborating on a brand-new theme song.
Together, these elements make the film an important continuation rather than a side story.
For longtime fans, it represents the next stage of a journey that began nearly a decade ago.
For newcomers, however, the amount of existing story may seem intimidating.
The easiest way to catch up is to watch the first TV season, Dawn of the Deep Soul, and The Golden City of the Scorching Sun in release order before watching the new movie.
“Chain of the Abyss” Could Become a Major Highlight
Music has always played a special role in Made in Abyss, so the choice of “Chain of the Abyss” is particularly interesting.
Kevin Penkin’s return ensures that the film will retain an important musical connection to its previous installments.
At the same time, Mori Calliope brings a different artistic identity to the franchise.
The collaboration could therefore create a song that feels familiar to Made in Abyss fans while also introducing something new.
The title itself, “Chain of the Abyss,” fits naturally with the franchise’s central themes of exploration, connection, fate, and the mysterious forces binding the characters to the depths.
Final Thoughts
“Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated anime theatrical releases of 2026.
The new trailer has offered fans a first look at Riko, Reg, Nanachi and Faputa as they continue toward the Seventh Layer, while the introduction of Tepaste and Clavari promises new mysteries and conflicts.
The return of director Masayuki Kojima, composer Kevin Penkin and animation studio Kinema Citrus provides continuity with the previous adaptations.
But perhaps the biggest surprise is the theme song.
“Chain of the Abyss” by Kevin Penkin feat. Mori Calliope
The collaboration brings together one of anime’s best-known composers and a major Hololive EN music artist, creating an unexpected bridge between the Made in Abyss and VTuber communities.
With the film scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on October 23, 2026, the wait is almost over.
The Abyss is calling once again—and this time, Riko and her companions are heading deeper than ever.
