Review: THE PROMISED NEVERLAND

Despite choosing to focus on Weekly Shonen Jump manga this month, I actually don't read a lot of the long-running series that run in it.  It's not something I actively avoid, it's just that many of them don't appeal to me.  Thus, you can imagine my surprise when one of the magazine's biggest hits currently managed not only to capture my interest with its original look and premise, but retain it.

THE PROMISED NEVERLAND (Yakusoku no Neverland), written by Kaiu Shirai & art by Posuka Demizu.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2017.

PLOT:

Emma loves her home, Grace Field House.  She loves all the other orphans who live there with her.  She loves her "Mom" Isabella, who cares for all the children with tender sweetness.  Aside from the daily academic tests, things couldn't be more lovely for her.  Then Emma and her friend Norman discover the bloody truth behind their idyllic world, and their world view is shattered.  At that point, they resolve to save all the children of Grace Field House while avoiding the ever-watchful eyes of Isabella, a feat far harder than they could possibly have realized.