The Promised Neverland Chapter 181.3 “Special Side Story: A Mother’s Determination” Manga Review
Major Spoilers are included in this manga review. Please read with caution.
On December 13, 2020, The Promised Neverland released another one-shot chapter— “Special Side Story: A Mother’s Determination”—centered around Mama Isabella during her time as a Grandmother, prior to the children’s epic comeback during the “Return to Grace Field Arc”. I enjoyed reading this amazing one-shot chapter for filling in the necessary context on how Isabella actually orchestrated the rebellion from within to help the children defeat the demons once and for all. While it already made sense why Isabella would betray the demons and humans working with them, this bonus chapter also gave us something else regarding four Sisters.
The chapter kicked off with the four Sisters she recruited for the rebellion—Matilda, Sienna, Jessica, and Scarlet—discussing how to take down Grandmother Isabella because they were jealous of how she actually got away with letting all the children escape during the “Jailbreak Arc”. As a result of Grandmother Isabella being smarter than most characters, she gathered the Sisters to disclose how she was already onto them. However, instead of turning the Sisters in for the betrayal, Grandmother Isabella decided to offer them a chance to break the cycle of humans being eaten by demons.
Knowing Emma and the others will return in two years—to rescue Phil and the other younger children they left behind—Grandmother Isabella wishes to destroy Grace Field from the inside with the other Sisters’ help. When we learned Isabella loved the children in her own way was already heartbreaking, but when this bonus chapter revealed the Sisters were also mothers… boy I wasn’t ready.
Furthermore, the Sisters’ children were from Grace Field House. Isabella had been raising them all this time without the Sisters’ knowledge; they believed their children were killed and eaten already. The most powerful emotion we humans have is love—the most dangerous emotion—and that love for their children overwhelmed the Sisters. My fan theories on who’s kid is who’s based on physical appearance alone and nothing else:
1. Matilda is Norman’s mother
2. Sienna is Emma’s mother
3. Scarlet is Don’s mother
4. Jessica is Gilda’s mother
There is no confirmation one way or another, but who else could the Sisters’ children be other than the actual main characters? I do hope this concept is explored further someday. Despite the manga being over, there is still so much story left to explore.
The Sisters agreed to help Isabella rebel against the system, but they wanted collateral as leverage in case things go wrong or a way to effectively trust Isabella. Of course, she agreed and gave the Sisters a note she got from Ray, her biological son—solid proof they could use against her.
The ending to the one-shot chapter was devastating, as we’re flash forwarded past the “Return to Grace Field Arc” with the four Sisters gathering around Mama Isabella’s grave to pay respects and to honor her sacrifice. I was instantly reminded how all the children grieved her despite what she did to them, ultimately still seeing her as the mother who cared and loved for them in her own way.
Overall, I did cry again. The Promised Neverland is an amazing manga. Thank you, Kaiu Shiri and Posuka Demizu, for bringing this story to life with your words and art. It will always be appreciated. Thanks for reading this manga review, everyone! I also appreciate your support! The Promised Neverland Season 2 drops on January 7, 2021! I’m so hyped for it! How about y’all? Let’s keep fighting for those happy endings!