The Promised Neverland: Volume 12 manga review

The Promised Neverland Graphic Novel Volume 12 cover image

It is a wonderful life for the children at the orphanage, Grace Field House, or so it seems...  The orphanage's three brightest children are Emma, Norman, and Ray, all 11-years-old.  Like the other orphans, they enjoy the daily studying and exams, and also the delicious food and plentiful playtime.  However, the children's loving, but stern caretaker, “Mom,” hides the fact that everything is not what it seems, a fact these three bright children will discover upon turning 12.

The Promised Neverland, Vol. 12 (entitled Starting Sound; Chapters 98 to 106) opens in the wake of the final defeat of the demons of “Goldy Pond” (the place Emma knew as “A08-63”).  Now, Emma and Ray and the other children must focus on their next task – finding the “Seven Walls.”  However, it won't be easy; Emma will need to have a special vision, and it will take them over a year.  Can Emma and company decode the ancient clues that will lead the children to true freedom... even as a dangerous new foe tracks them down?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Promised Neverland manga is always a riveting read.  I practically tear through each volume.

The Promised Neverland Graphic Novel Volume 12 is a pivotal volume in the recent run of graphic novels.  Actually, almost every volume seems like a turning point, especially the last year's run.  Most of the story in Vol. 12 takes place in the years 2046 and 2047.  Yes, we have dates, now, and that makes the story a little more gripping.  It is as if there is a countdown.

Writer Kaiu Shirai and artist Posuka Demizu are crafting tense series in this pot boiler run of graphic novels, and your imagination will refuse to allow you to miss any volume, dear readers.  Translator Satsuki Yamashita's work makes this a breathless read, and letterer Mark McMurray has a knack at ratcheting up the pace.  The Promised Neverland won't stop being good, and I won't stop reading or recommending it... even after it all ends.

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

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9 out of 10