It isn’t all that uncommon for ananime series to come to an underwhelming conclusion. Most of the top titles are adapted from ongoing manga, which can stumble at the finish line for a variety of reasons, if a story is able to ever reach an ending at all. The constant shadow of expectations, deadlines, and long working hourscan culminate in a series stumbling towards an awkward final stretch, which will then be adapted in a similar manner. More tragic, however, is when an anime fumbles for seemingly no good reason, asThe Promised Neverlandsadly did.
By the time the credits rolled on the final episode ofThe Promised Neverland’s first season,the anime was considered an instant classic, garnering widespread attention as one of Netflix’s earlier anime inclusions in their lineup. With a compelling cast of characters, a unique premise, and enough suspense to keep its audience glued to the screen at all times, the series seemed destined to become one of the new top names in anime, until its second season effectively destroyed it all.
The Promised Neverland Is One of Anime’s Greatest Disappointments
A Shocking Second Season Left Fans of The Promised Neverland Devastated
The Promised Neverland’s first season was nothing short of a masterpiece. After leading viewers into a false sense of security during its opening episode, introducing them to a seemingly happy group of children high on their own innocence,the series' haunting and deadly cat and mouse chase that followed made for can’t miss television. When the children stared off into the outside world, the audience felt a similar anticipation of what possibilities might await them outside the walls of the orphanage.
Unfortunately, now that they’ve seen what was ahead of them,most fans wish they could forget. Season Two offered strange, uneven pacing, cut content, and writing decisions so puzzling they practically screamed at the audience that the series was rushed along to the finish line. Small changes to the source material turned into omissions of entire major plot points, and before fans knew it, the series was over.
The Goldy Pond arc, an essential stretch of the original manga consisting of over 30 chapters of material,was cut from the animefor seemingly no other reason than to save the effort of creating a third season. Major events and characters were nowhere to be found, tension was lost, and the final stretch of episodes led to an ending that was largely incoherent and incredibly unsatisfying,ultimately undoing any goodwill the series earned with its first season.
The original manga by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizuwas aShōnen Jumpsmash hit, and is still remembered fondly by those who read it. However, since the airing ofThe Promised Neverland’s second season,any buzz surrounding the series has all but been silenced.
The Promised Neverland Deserved Better Than Its Second Season
The Acclaimed Anime Series Has Largely Been Forgotten
The Promised Neverlandoffered fans a disappointment they likely hadn’t seensinceTokyo Ghoulflew off the rails with its second season in 2015. And like those hurt byTokyo Ghoul, fans have already begun calling for the series to receivetheFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodtreatment. The iconic anime series was studio Bones' way of making up for their previous attempt at adaptingFullmetal Alchemist, bringing it to the rightful conclusion it deserved. ThoughThe Promised Neverlandwasn’t quite at the same level of popularity, it does deserve better than the finale it got.
Not every anime series can be a smash hit. More come and go every passing season than fans care to remember. However, it’s a bit more tragic when a series likeThe Promised Neverlandbursts onto the scene, only to later fizzle out with an ending so underwhelming most fans act like it never happened. It might be unlikely considering the lack of attention the series now gets, though one brave studio would make countless viewers happy by giving the series the follow-up it deserves.
The Promised Neverland
Cast
The Promised Neverland is a suspenseful anime series set in an orphanage where children, led by the intelligent Emma, uncover a dark secret about their idyllic home and plan a daring escape.
