The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Promised Neverland is a tension-driven fantasy horror anime about a group of children facing violence and trauma. Emma (Erica Mendez), Norman (Jeannie Tirado), and their family of fellow orphans live in a world where they're manipulated by adults and face death if they can't escape -- or eventually break -- the system. Scariness is heightened by darkness, intense music, distorted facial features (e.g., scared eyes, cruel smiles), and upsetting behavior (e.g., singing to a broken doll, sudden outbursts of yelling, character betrayal). Violence involves weapons (guns, swords) and physical attacks. An adult breaks a child's leg, and monsters chase after and eat humans. The children are frequently traumatized by the threat of death and the things they must do to escape. Two characters self-harm to ensure their and others' safety. Blood and gore are present but not gratuitous, and despite the violence, the show is on the children's side and condemns the social system. Topics of resilience, trust, compassion, and sticking together are frequently discussed by characters who are kind, supportive, and always looking out for each other.
What's the Story?
THE PROMISED NEVERLAND follows 11-year-old children Emma, Norman, and Ray as they plan an escape from their orphanage home. After Emma and Norman discover the dead body of a younger "sibling," they learn that they're living on a "farm" that sells human children to demons for food. They immediately start working on a plan to escape with the other children before the next "shipping" date. However, tensions rise as they face off against their cold, calculating "mother," Isabella (Laura Post), who knows they've discovered the truth and is trying to keep them from escaping.
Is It Any Good?
This show succeeds as a thrilling horror, with a visual style and plot development that's both unsettling and captivating. It's hard to watch children face such intense peril, but it's easy to root for the young characters who face challenges with wit and strength. However, despite the age of the protagonists, The Promised Neverland may be too intense for young viewers. Violence, though not over the top, is central to the plot and to character development. Most interesting is that the characters' escape from death actually invites audiences to connect the fantasy setting to their own world and to consider what roles they play in their own social systems. Ultimately, fans of stories like The Hunger Games will enjoy this show about youth overcoming impossible odds to change the world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about different types of violence in media. How does the fantasy setting with demons change the way we view the real-world violence that is shown? How do the characters handle this violence, and what can we learn from their choices?
Several characters (especially the adults) show remorse for their actions and specifically for their role in the violent system. Is their remorse enough? Could they have acted differently considering the circumstances? What would they need to do in order to right their wrongdoing?
Each of the children handles their trauma differently. What are healthy outlets for dealing with intense emotions and harmful experiences?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 14, 2019
- Cast: Erika Mendez, Jeannie Tirado, Laura Stahl
- Networks: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: January 26, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Demon Slayer
History-inspired anime is violent, has scary imagery.
-
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Powerful anime explores mature themes with some gore.
-
One-Punch Man
Funny anime superhero series is violent, has some language.
For kids who love anime and horror
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate