Why Did The Promised Neverland Anime Diverge From Its Manga?

The anime adaptation of The Promised Neverland diverged from the manga primarily due to pacing issues and the need to conclude the story within a limited number of episodes.

While the first season closely followed the manga, the second season, which covered the latter part of the story, made significant changes and omissions. This divergence can be attributed to several factors, including creative decisions, pacing and time constraints, and reception feedback.

Pacing and Time Constraints

The anime had to condense a large amount of content into a shorter format. This often led to skipping over key plot points and character development that are present in the manga. The production team had to make difficult choices to ensure the story could be told within the constraints of a limited number of episodes.

Creative Decisions

The production team may have aimed for a more streamlined narrative to appeal to a broader audience. This sometimes resulted in altering character arcs and plot resolutions. While these changes aimed to enhance the viewing experience, they also led to some dissatisfaction among fans who felt the story was changed too much.

Reception and Feedback

The reception of the first season of The Promised Neverland was generally positive. However, the second season faced criticism for its pacing and changes. This negative feedback may have influenced the creative team, leading to even greater alterations in the final episodes. The final two episodes aired without writing credits, highlighting the controversial nature of these changes.

Challenges of Adapting a Manga to Anime

There can be many reasons why an anime will differ from the manga it is based on. Adaptations are not word-for-word or frame-for-frame identical to the source material. While both are visual forms of storytelling, they have distinct strengths and limitations. The upcoming discussion will explore how pacing, length, and production constraints contribute to the differences between a manga and its anime adaptation.

Pacing and Length

Manga releases are weekly, leaving less restrictive time for each chapter. In contrast, television series are divided into seasons, which can create pacing issues. When an anime outpaces the manga, the adaptation often needs to slow down or come up with a different ending. Additionally, adaptations may face content restrictions that do not exist for the source material, such as graphic violence, nudity, and mature content.

The Promised Neverland Specifics

The Promised Neverland is a shonen series, primarily aimed at a young male audience between 9-18. Given its dark and violent nature, some changes were likely made to appeal to a broader demographic, including the younger end of the range. The second season was also abbreviated due to time constraints, which is common for single-season television releases.

Furthermore, the adaptation faced additional challenges due to the global pandemic. Delays caused by COVID-19 resulted in rushed production, affecting both the manga and the anime. The mangaka has mentioned that the pandemic impacted the quality of the final chapters, likely having a similar effect on the anime.

While we may never know all the factors that played into the decision to change the plot, it is clear that the decision was not popular. The staff producing the series were well aware of the dissatisfaction and crafted the final episodes with this in mind.