Welcome To The World
Now out in the open and away from the farm, Promised Neverland Season 2 wastes absolutely no time getting right to the heart of its drama. Heavy breathing, the kids running frantically and hungry, snapping jaws from a four-legged demon is one heck of a hook to re-introduce us to one of 2019’s hottest anime. Led by Emma, the kids wander through the thick woods, marveling at flying fish and gigantic logs toppled over. Norman and Emma remain fixed on the mission at hand, reminding the kids to eat a little at a time and to stay together. While they rest, Emma and Ray bring Don and Gilda onboard for their plan of finding water and heading up the river. Before that though, they brandish the pen left behind by Norman and find a puzzle hidden within. Touching a button, a holographic display flickers and crackles to life. Deciphering the clue, Ray reads the words that pop up “If you need help, come visit me.” There’s also coordinates, giving them a new mission in this strange, hostile world. Led by a sword-wielding madman, the demons are hot on their trail as Emma and Ray both sense something nearby. And just like that, monstrous beasts burst out the canopy and charge toward them. Don and Gilda lead the charge, encouraging the kids to think of this as a game of tag as they split up. Only, they’re interrupted by this sword-wielder who calls out and tells them all it’s time to go home. He continues on, telling them it’s not safe outside. Ray eventually shows himself, uncovering his number, which happens to show he’s the highest rank. Leading them away from the others, a whistle pierces the air as Emma and the others fear that this could spell trouble for Ray. Only, Emma suddenly collapses on the ground, blood seeping from the wound on her ear. With the kids struggling, a robed figure surrounded by fireflies encourages the kids to join him. Their wry smile seems to hint that they know the kids. Could it be Norman? Anyway, the demons lose sight of Ray and the others as clouds of smoke blind them. It’s enough time for Ray’s captor to take him, Emma and the others to a safe refuge. There, Emma and Ray are reunited and learn they were saved by a hooded girl and a hooded boy, the latter f which we soon find out is called Sonju. However, as we soon see Sonju and his fellow hooded accomplice are both demons. But how? Why are they helping the kids? We’ll have to wait and see as the episode comes to an agonizing close.
The Episode Review
The Promised Neverland was one of the best anime to come out of 2019 and fans have been eagerly awaiting this follow-up season for quite some time. Well, the first episode certainly doesn’t disappoint, with another trademark cliffhanger ending and some good character development throughout. It seems like Ray has really leveled out now from the cool, icy demeanor he adopted last season and this works nicely to give him a more human touch and stand alongside Emma as a leader. In fact, it’s clear the kids have really grown up a lot. The “game of tag” perfectly illustrates this but of course it’s worth remembering these are still kids at the end of the day. The heartfelt moments where the youngest members of the group reminisce on Norman’s memory, only to be cheerfully broken up by Emma getting their attention back on the mission, is a great example of this leader/follower dynamic and one of the highlights this episode. The ending certainly leaves the door wide open too. One thing’s for sure, Promised Neverland is just warming up for what should (hopefully!) be another show-stopping season.
