It’s still October, and that means were talking spooky, creepy and a little disturbing. It’s time to embrace all thing dark and twisted and those two words perfectly describes 2019 masterpiece known as The Promised Neverland. Currently with only one season released in January 2019, but with a second season scheduled to release in January 2021. With only 12 episodes, it’s a short, sweet and deceptively chilling for a Shonen anime.
Its hard to talk about this show without having to talk about the shock twist at the end of the first episode, which really cements this show as a horror anime. The show revolves around our three main protagonists: Emma, the energetic and optimistic extrovert, Norman, the prodigy and overall genius, and Ray, the edgy yet brilliant strategist, trying to execute an elaborate escape plan to save not only their lives, but the lives of all the children living at the Grace Field House, and “orphanage”. The thing that really stands out in this show is the mind games and strategic planning the children use to deceive the antagonist of the show, Isabella also known as Mom.
The horror aspects of the show are there throughout, not only in the obvious visuals and disturbing trauma the children have to face, but even in the more subtle areas, such as camera work and sound design. There are many moments when the point of view will change to first person to give the sense of being stalked, or chased, and that always leaves you with a feeling of uneasiness.
This, in my honest opinion, is one of the best anime to come out in the last few years, and despite the short length it left an impact on me. I couldn’t get enough of the characters; the interesting world and the possibilities of what fate may have in store for these children. January can’t come quick and I am HYPED for season 2, but until then, you can always check out the manga where there are 181 chapters to sink into.
Official Synopsis
Norman, Emma, and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mama,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn- what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark and twisted truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing. Soon, they must make haste to plan their escape!