Anime Review: The Promised Neverland Season 2 Episode 1

The Promised Neverland Season 2

Studio: Cloverworks

Genre: Thriller, Supernatural, Psychological

Streaming: Amazon, Funimation, Hulu

The Promised Neverland, in my opinion, was one of the best shows that aired in 2019, and so I was highly anticipating when a sequel would air. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the manga’s narrative arcs but even so, the first season really invested me in the characters and the world is built around them. The second season picks up seemingly where the last season left off – after the orphan’s successful escape from Grace House, and finally being out in the world outside the walls. Just because they’re outside the confinement of the Farm, however, doesn’t mean their troubles are over – for starters, they’re aware that the mass exodus will not have gone unnoticed and pursuers are on their trail. For the children too, the world outside the walls is completely alien to them (perhaps with the exception of Ray, given his history) – what monsters lurk out there? Is it really possible for the group of children to survive out there in the wild and finally find a safe place? As they chase the promise of help from clues that have been left for them… is what they’re chasing really going to save them?

The first episode lands you right into the action of the beginning – it almost feels like we’re picking up right after the end of the first season with their joyful escape, but harsh reality sets in as it quickly reveals that they’re actually being chased by a monster. The monster itself is very creepy and animated in a way that makes it look like it’s otherworldly. This episode, whilst different in tone from the claustrophobic cat and mouse games of the first season, is still engrossing. The pacing is a little slower, allowing time for the character interactions to breathe, and to showcase the world outside the walls to it’s fullest. If it wasn’t obvious before that this show was set in a world different from our own, this view of the world now confirms it – strange sea-like jellyfish and flying fish inhabit the dark forest, giving it a real fantasy and otherworldly feeling.  There’s a very clear difficulty of having to keep a group of literal kids safe from the dangers of the outside world, and this is something that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat as they navigate this new world.

This isn’t lost on the series’ main protagonists either – a meaningful conversation between Emma and Ray at the beginning really starts to set out their character arcs – her pushing herself too much to protect everyone, him trying to protect her and in turn, feeling guilt for his previous actions and vowing to protect the whole family. The lack of Norman is felt – both from the children’s own reactions and his notable absence in the opening. It definitely isn’t as tense as in the first season but if you watched that season, it’s safe to say you’re probably invested now. Thankfully, these kids are smart and doing well at surviving so far despite the odds – this episode plays with the expectation that you kinda expect them to be picked off easily but then surprises you. It’s time now for the series’ other children like Phil and Gilda to really shine this season, especially when Ray and Emma are taken out of the action for various reasons.

The use of lighting and camerawork in the anime has always been very evocative and impressive and this thankfully remains. It really helps with setting the tone and amps up the feelings of terror the characters feel in the situation. There’s great music in the chase scene too which really keeps you on edge. The animation is as clean as in the first episode, the opening, in particular, having some very dark and symbolic scenes. Both the opening and ending point towards this season revealing more about the demons and developing them more than as just faceless monstrosities.

A slower start, but one still full of thrills, twists, and turns make the second season of Promised Neverland a must-watch for this season.