The Promised Neverland Season 1 Anime Review
Major Spoilers are included in this anime review. Please read with caution.
On June 29, 2020, I finished The Promised Neverland’s first season (12 episodes). After I finished the manga series (181 chapters), I decided to watch the anime series for comparisons. Before I dive into the review though, let me drop the synopsis for those who don’t know what the series is all about:
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.
I will avoid spoilers as much as I can in order to preserve the twists and turns of the series for those who haven’t seen or read it yet. So, let’s get started.
The first season only covered the “Introduction Arc” and the “Jailbreak Arc” of the series across 12 twenty-minute episodes, but they’re all fast-paced and action-packed once the twisted dark truth is revealed to Emma, Ray, and Norman. I also heard season two will be dropping at some point in January 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic delaying everything.
Each character—Emma, Ray, and Norman—grappled with heartbreak as they learned the true nature behind their home and comfortable lifestyle. The cat-and-mouse game was also very suspenseful and entertaining, as these children had to make tough choices in the name of survival. The main question regarding their escape plan from Grace Field House was, “Do we take everyone with a high-risk of failing or do we only save ourselves with success guaranteed?”
Emma wanted to save everyone, Ray wanted to leave them behind, and Norman was the middle person trying to find the best solution while still emphasizing with Emma’s struggles. Emma is definitely my favorite character, but I can also relate with Ray and his mindset too. I liked Norman’s ability to put together long-term plans, but somebody had to be the third favorite character. I loved them all, but picking favorites is sadly human nature.
I did enjoy how every episode ended with an intense cliffhanger that made binge-watching the whole thing very easy. The anime series was also very faithful to the manga, not really straying from it at all. The animation was also well-done and colorful, especially when everyone was outside in the sunlight playing tag. The scenes inside the house—and beyond the gate—really brought out the dark fantasy and thriller aspects of the series.
Overall, I highly recommend The Promised Neverland. While the anime would be a good start for those not into reading manga, I would read the manga if you’d want the whole story from beginning to end. Thanks for reading my anime review. Now go read or watch The Promised Neverland.