Not every anime series achieves excellence. With many new titles debuting each season, it’s inevitable that some will fall short of expectations. Some series might suffer from poor writing, while others struggle with animation quality due to budget constraints or inexperienced staff. Many anime remain firmly within typical tropes, lacking the innovation required to stand out. However, there are rare instances where shows burst onto the scene only to falter significantly later on. The Promised Neverland is a poignant example of this phenomenon.
This anime, adapted from Kaiu Shirai’s original manga with illustrations by Posuka Demizu, premiered in 2019 to acclaim from both critics and audiences. Viewers praised its pacing, gripping tension, and character development. Initially, this dark fantasy thriller was nominated for multiple awards and even won the Best Female Character accolade at the fan-voted Anime Grand Prix. Alas, public sentiment began to wane as the series progressed into its second season.
The second season of The Promised Neverland, which began airing in 2021, quickly raised alarm bells among fans. By season’s end, many within the anime community lamented a significant loss—what could have been a monumental continuation of an impressive story instead left a bad taste. A slew of fundamental changes strayed far from the original material, with extreme pacing issues that felt disjointed rather than thrilling. This once-promising narrative descended into a realm of missed opportunities and squandered potential.
The Promised Neverland Made a Lasting First Impression
The Series’ First Season Was a Breakout Success
The first season of The Promised Neverland captivated viewers from the outset. It skillfully introduces seemingly innocent characters living in a quaint orphanage, all while tinged with an underlying sense of dread. This eerie tension persists just beneath the surface long before the show delves into its darker realities. As the story unfolds, lead characters Emma, Ray, and Norman unite to devise their escape while evading the vigilant gaze of their ‘Mother,’ Isabella.
Central to the series’ appeal is the suspense woven into every plan to escape, culminating in a cathartic release when the orphans finally break free. However, once outside the orphanage, they discover that the world is far more treacherous than they could have ever imagined.
Season one’s pacing was masterful, engaging its audience thoroughly until the very last credits rolled. It successfully built up a sense of impending doom about an unseen outside world, leading fans to eagerly anticipate glimpses beyond the orphanage’s high walls when Season Two was announced. Unfortunately, what they encountered was a shadow of the vibrant narrative that had initially drawn them in.
A Disastrous Second Season Altered Public Perception Permanently
A Confounding Departure from Source Material in Season 2
The initial season of The Promised Neverland generated significant buzz, amplified by its exposure on Netflix during a period when anime options were limited on the platform. It achieved impressive viewership statistics, ranking as one of the top debuts on MyAnimeList, only eclipsed by Attack on Titan’s final season premiere.
However, it soon became apparent that the second season would not replicate its predecessor’s success. What began as minor shifts from the original manga escalated into major plot omissions, including the critical Goldy Pond arc, which encompasses over 30 chapters leading to the series’ climax.
The Promised Neverland Deserved a Better Fate
Despite the disappointing trajectory of its second season, many fans still cherish the first season of The Promised Neverland. Recognized as one of the finest anime offerings in 2019, it deserves a more fitting continuation. Regrettably, it appears that there are no plans to revisit Emma and her friends again. This situation echoes that of Fullmetal Alchemist, which diverged into an original storyline yet later found redemption through Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, crafted to accurately reflect the manga’s narrative.
Unlike its predecessor, which successfully resurrected its tale, The Promised Neverland limped toward an unsatisfactory conclusion devoid of the source material’s essence. In 2022, Amazon Prime announced a live-action adaptation, however, updates on this project have remained scarce.
Ultimately, The Promised Neverland serves as a heartbreaking example of an anime that commenced with tremendous promise but faltered before fulfilling its potential. If any recent series deserved a revival akin to that of Brotherhood, it would be a toss-up between Emma’s journey and the similarly mishandled Tokyo Ghoul. Until such reimaginings occur, fans can once again turn to the original manga for the storytelling depth that the anime sadly left unexplored.
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