The Promised Neverland “Seven Walls Arc” (Chapters 131 through 145) Manga Review
Major Spoilers are included in this manga review. Please read with caution.
Synopsis: The story began in an orphanage called Grace Field. We meet a twelve-year-old girl named Emma, who guides the reader—using exposition—through the orphanage and her typical day there doing chores, taking tests, and playing games—like tag. There are also over forty kids at this orphanage, all taken care of by a woman known as “Mama”. However, once Emma and another kid named Norman learn the twisted dark truth about the orphanage, they make a hasty plan to escape with their friend Ray.
On June 20, 2020, I started and finished the “Seven Walls Arc—the eighth story arc of the manga series. The Promised Neverland continuously kept the plot momentum going with Emma and Ray traveling to the Seven Walls, where Him—the Demon God’s actual name—awaited. It was all for the sake of stopping their friend Norman from exterminating all demons at the Royal Capital.
I thought this arc was very enlightening. Not just interesting. Enlightening.
We learned more about the relations between demons and humans, demon politics between the five Regent families, how the original promise was made, and how it was all tied to Norman’s current goals of exterminating all the demons.
The flashback to the 1,000-year-old promise had parallels with Norman’s reasoning behind saving humankind. If Norman continued on his path, he chose to betray his friends. He chose to risk losing Emma and Ray—plus the other Grace Field children—forever as siblings. This was also a classic example of history repeating itself without anyone really caring or realizing.
The subplot was centered around Don and Gilda looking for Sonju and Mujika upon Norman’s request. Don and Gilda only agreed to take the job in order to protect their demon friends from Norman’s ulterior motive, given his cause to kill every demon even the good ones. Emma and the children’s friendship with human-friendly demons was the main root on why they were opposed to Norman’s objective plan.
Emma also redid the Promise between humans and demons, paying an unknown price to Him for the wish. She assured Ray “not to worry about it”, but I have a feeling it will affect how this series will end. My current theory is that Emma will sacrifice herself to secure the children’s future. While Emma wanted “everyone to be alive”, I hoped she included herself in that everyone.
Overall, the series’ consistent high points—the tight writing, artwork, pacing, and characters—have never disappointed me. The urge to read more The Promised Neverland was really intoxicating. I’m excited to reach the next arc, but also nervous how close I am to the ending. I have 36 chapters—three arcs—left in the manga series. Let’s keep it reading until everyone has their happy ending!