The Promised Neverland: Volume 6 manga review

The Promised Neverland Graphic Novel Volume 6 cover image

At Grace Field House orphanage, life seems to be just grand.  This is especially true for the orphanage's three brightest children:  Emma, Norman, and Ray, who are all 11-years-old.  While there is daily studying and exams, there is also delicious food and plenty of playtime.  However, the children's loving, but stern caretaker, “Mom,” hides the fact that everything is not what it seems.

The Promised Neverland, Vol. 6 (entitled B06-32; Chapters 44 to 52) opens to find the group of children who escaped the “Farm” known as Grace Field House in a state of distress.  In a deep forest, they wonder about Emma's worsening medical condition.  Meanwhile, some distance away, Ray flees while trying to draw the human-eating demons away from his fellow escapees.

Just as the situation seems most dire, the mysterious Sonju arrives to rescue Ray.  Meanwhile, Mujika, a mysterious girl in a cloak and hood, rescues the other children.  Now, the children who escaped Grace Field House are about to learn some secrets about the world in which they live.

THE LOWDOWN:  Was I expecting it to fail?  The Promised Neverland manga continues to be one of the best graphic novels currently available, so I don't have to worry about it being a fluke.  It reads like classic dystopian, young adult fiction, but its dark mood cannot eclipse the series' hopeful vibes.

The Promised Neverland Graphic Novel Volume 6 marks another major turning point for the series, particularly in the series' internal mythology.  The reveals are quite shocking, and it seems as if writer Kaiu Shirai and artist Posuka Demizu have more surprises in store.  Translator Satsuki Yamashita captures the grit, determination, and hopefulness of the children, while delivering the creepy overall vibe of the story.  For these three storyteller's efforts, let us keep reading The Promised Neverland.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers of dark fantasy graphic novels will find a terrifying story home in Shonen Jump's The Promised Neverland.

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9.5 out of 10