Herald Anime Club

The Herald Anime Club Meeting 98: The Promised Neverland, Episode 12


Meeting Date: 3/30/2019

Disclaimer: The Herald Anime Club discusses shows as they’re airing. Naturally, there will be spoilers for a given episode. You have been warned!

Samantha Ferreira: Hi everyone, and welcome to the Herald Anime Club! I’m Samantha, and I’m here with Anthony Simpson
Anthony Simpson: Evening
Samantha Ferreira: This week, we’re closing the books on The Promised Neverland as we review the final episode: “Jailbreak,” or “2020 can’t come fast enough!”
Anthony Simpson: I’m so glad we are getting a second season of this show next year.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. Like… they left on the perfect cliffhanger


Anthony Simpson: They sure did.
This was just such a good episode.
Samantha Ferreira: It really was. Just to finally see this escape play out was amazing… but to see how the characters have grown, and just how many layers to everything they did was amazing
Showing how they honed their skills through play
How Thomas was basically their “fall guy” to help shepherd the new generation
Then Norman coming in for that big final conversation
My god…
Anthony Simpson: Yea I was shocked to see Norman just show up all smug like
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed… it was a great moment, and it cemented how much he meant to Ray


Anthony Simpson: Speaking of Ray we finally learned that he was Isabella’s son and that Isabella was part of the system as a child.
Samantha Ferreira: Yeah… “I remember my time as a fetus” is still a stupid plot point, but it makes sense here
Anthony Simpson: Yea.
Plus with Ray straight up asking his mom why he gave birth to her.
Samantha Ferreira: True that.
Speaking of, I really liked that moment at the climax, where we got this big glimpse into Isabella’s past as she slowly conceded that she lost to the kids
Anthony Simpson: That was excellent. I felt bad for her because during the flashback when the guy she obviously had a crush on was sent away.
So my question is who is the father of Ray?
Samantha Ferreira: Good question
Anthony Simpson: And where did he learn that song?
Samantha Ferreira: He heard it as a fetus :0 remember?
Anthony Simpson: Who would have sung it when he was a fetus?
Samantha Ferreira: She did.
They showed her humming it while he was in the womb


Anthony Simpson: D’oh my mistake
Samantha Ferreira: No worries ^^;
But yeah… I kind of liked the pacing of this, and just that last showdown between Mama and Emma was great
Anthony Simpson: I did as well.
I want to mention how much I enjoyed the whole slow reveal over the last few episodes of the prep for the escape. It wasn’t just all dumped on in one big training montage or exposition.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. I mean… this entire season was the definition of a “slow burn” but it worked so well
Like… the payoff was brilliant
Anthony Simpson: Slow burn can work if done right with good writing and/or source material. This a great example of it being done right.
Oh yes it was brilliant.
Samantha Ferreira: Very true. There were so many places this could’ve gone wrong, and I’m so glad it didn’t
This is one of those shows where I was legitimately excited to see what happens next. Like, straight-up asking “what are they doing to do?”
Anthony Simpson: It helped that endings of each episode made so that you wanted to know what was going to happen.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. And every episode had a very meaningful progression to it
Anthony Simpson: Its still pretty early in the year but I think its safe to saying that this show is easily a AOTY candidate. Its also my AOTS easily out of everything I watched so far for the Winter season.
Samantha Ferreira: Agreed. This is just something that’ll stick with you


Anthony Simpson: True. It also means I’m giving AoA my cash when this comes out since I want to own this series when it comes out.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise
But it’s a wonderful show. One I want on disc
Anthony Simpson: I’m curious to how much of the manga is going to be adapted for Season 2 next year.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. There’s a lot of ground to cover, but I hope they keep this “give it room to breathe” approach
Anthony Simpson: I hope so as well. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens next year.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed.
God, this show… It kept me guessing til the end
Anthony Simpson: Same.
Samantha Ferreira: So, what do you think will happen to the kids now?
Anthony Simpson: Try to survive outside of the house what ever that outside is.


Samantha Ferreira: Indeed
Any final thoughts before we close the books on the season?
Anthony Simpson: No just that everyone should watch The Promised Neverland.
Samantha Ferreira: Agreed! Seriously, this is one of the best shows I’ve seen in years
So, thanks for joining us this season! Tune in next week when we discuss Fruits Basket, which won our new title election by just one vote
And til next time, remember: Sometimes, the only way to win in the game of life is to escape. Have a great night!
Anthony Simpson: Good night

[After the meeting…]

Samantha Ferreira: Such an outstanding show
God, I can’t wait til it comes out now
Anthony Simpson: Neither can I.
Samantha Ferreira: I do genuinely wonder what’ll happen – like… I’m expecting some political demon stuff
Anthony Simpson: Same here
Samantha Ferreira: …I do wonder also if the demons will hunt for the kids or…?
Like… Isabella had her “come to reason” moment, and even told Thomas that they got out
Anthony Simpson: Well considering that the kids were raised for food I don’t see the demons just letting them roam free.
Samantha Ferreira: Sorry – I’m just… so impressed by this show. lol
Anthony Simpson: It’s okay Sam. Trust me – as good as this show is, I don’t blame you.
Samantha Ferreira: Hehe.
We’re just… yeah.
I want more now, dammit! XD

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