The promise neverland

Okay, let's talk about "The Promised Neverland" (約束のネバーランド, Yakusoku no Neverland)! This is an anime that had a *fantastic* first season, but faced considerable criticism for its second season. I'll try to give a complete picture.

What is The Promised Neverland?

•   Original Title: 約束のネバーランド (Yakusoku no Neverland)

•   Based on: The manga of the same name written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu.

•   Studio: CloverWorks (known for *Horimiya*, *Wonder Egg Priority*, *Bocchi the Rock!*)

•   Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Psychological

•   Seasons:

    *   Season 1: 12 Episodes (Aired Winter 2019) - Widely acclaimed.

    *   Season 2: 11 Episodes (Aired Winter 2021) - Severely criticized for deviating from the manga.

Synopsis:

At Grace Field House, a seemingly idyllic orphanage, a group of bright and happy children live a comfortable life under the care of their loving "Mama," Isabella. The oldest of these children are Emma, Norman, and Ray, who consistently score the highest marks on their daily exams.

However, their perfect world is shattered when Emma and Norman discover a dark secret: the children are being raised as livestock, destined to be harvested and eaten by demons. Determined to escape their fate, they team up with Ray to formulate a plan to break free from Grace Field House and lead the other children to safety.

Key Characters:

•   Emma: The main protagonist. She is optimistic, energetic, and fiercely protective of her siblings.

•   Norman: A brilliant strategist and one of the oldest children at Grace Field House. He is calm, collected, and deeply in love with Emma.

•   Ray: A cynical and intelligent boy who is initially reluctant to join Emma and Norman's plan but eventually becomes a valuable ally.

•   Isabella (Mama): The caretaker of Grace Field House. She is initially presented as a loving and nurturing figure, but she is revealed to be a ruthless and calculating antagonist.

•   Krone: Another caretaker at Grace Field House. She is ambitious and power-hungry.

Key Themes:

•   Survival: The series is about the children's struggle for survival in a world that is actively trying to kill them.

•   Freedom vs. Security: The children must choose between the comfort and security of Grace Field House and the uncertain freedom of the outside world.

•   Deception and Betrayal: The series is full of deception and betrayal, as the children must learn to trust each other in order to survive.

•   Hope and Despair: The series balances moments of hope and optimism with moments of despair and hopelessness.

•   Family and Loyalty: The bonds of family and loyalty are a central theme.

Why is The Promised Neverland So Divisive?

•   Season 2 Deviation from the Manga: Season 2 of the anime significantly deviates from the source material, skipping over important arcs and character development.

•   Pacing Issues (Season 2): Season 2 is rushed and poorly paced, cramming a large amount of content into a small number of episodes.

•   Character Development Issues (Season 2): Many characters are underdeveloped or completely ignored in Season 2.

•   Plot Holes (Season 2): The plot contains numerous plot holes and inconsistencies.

•   Animation Quality (Season 2): Some viewers have criticized the animation quality in Season 2.

Why is Season 1 of The Promised Neverland Highly Regarded?

•   Intriguing Premise: The premise of children being raised as livestock for demons is captivating.

•   Suspenseful and Thrilling: The series is full of suspense and thrills, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

•   Well-Developed Characters: The characters are complex and well-developed, with their own motivations and flaws.

•   Strong Female Leads: Emma and Isabella are both strong and compelling female characters.

•   Atmospheric Setting: The setting of Grace Field House is both beautiful and sinister.

Should You Watch The Promised Neverland?

•   Yes, Watch Season 1: Season 1