Finished The Promised Neverland and wondering where the anime leaves off in the manga? You’re not alone. Many fans, especially after the confusing second season, want to dive into the source material to get the full story.
The Promised Neverland’s first season adapts up to Chapter 37 of the manga. For the canonical story, you must start reading at Chapter 38, which is the beginning of Volume 5. This is the recommended starting point even if you’ve seen Season 2, as the anime skips over 100 chapters of essential plot.
Based on a detailed analysis of the complete 181-chapter manga, this guide provides the exact starting points you need. You will discover the critical story arcs, characters, and world-building that the anime completely removed, ensuring you experience the true, celebrated narrative as intended by its creators.
Key Facts
- Faithful First Season: Season 1 of the anime is a well-regarded adaptation, covering the manga’s first 37 chapters without any major changes or omissions.
- Drastic Season 2 Deviations: The second anime season condenses and skips over 140 chapters of the manga to fit into just 11 episodes, leading to a rushed and altered plot.
- Manga is Complete: The manga series, written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu, is finished with 181 chapters collected in 20 volumes.
- Major Skipped Arc: The “Goldy Pond” arc, a 40+ chapter storyline crucial for character development and world-building, was completely cut from the anime.
- Manga-Exclusive Characters: Key characters, most notably the adult survivor Yuugo, are entirely absent from the anime, leaving a significant gap in the narrative and emotional core of the story.
Where Does The Promised Neverland Anime Leave Off In The Manga?
The definitive answer depends on which season you’ve finished, but the best starting point is the same for everyone: Chapter 38. The first season of the anime is a faithful adaptation that concludes at the end of the Grace Field House arc. Season 2, however, is an entirely different story that rushes to an altered conclusion, making it an unreliable guide to the manga’s plot.
To make it perfectly clear, here is a quick-reference guide that breaks down the ending points for both seasons and provides the best recommendation for continuing the story. Following this ensures you don’t miss any of the canonical plot created by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu.
| Anime Season | Manga End Point | Recommended Starting Point (Manga) |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Chapter 37 (End of Grace Field House Arc) | Chapter 38 (Start of Volume 5) |
| Season 2 | Chapter 181 (Adapts the final chapter) | Chapter 38 (Due to skipped arcs) |
Essentially, while Season 2 technically adapts the final chapter of the manga, it does so by skipping the entire middle of the book. To understand the story, characters, and world, starting after the clean break of Season 1 is the only viable path.
Where Should You Start Reading After Promised Neverland Season 1?
If you just finished Season 1, you should start reading the manga at Chapter 38. This is the beginning of Volume 5 and the perfect, seamless transition point. The first season was a loyal adaptation of the “Grace Field House” escape, so you will not miss any plot details by picking up the story here.
In our experience helping fans transition from screen to page, starting at Chapter 38 is the most rewarding choice. You step directly into the next phase of the children’s journey. The story’s tone shifts dramatically here, moving from the psychological horror of the orphanage to a desperate survival adventure in the dangerous forests of the Demon World.
Pro Tip: Reading from Chapter 38 allows you to follow the cryptic clues left by William Minerva exactly as Emma, Ray, and the other escapees do. It’s a thrilling mystery that the anime’s second season unfortunately glosses over.
This is where the world of The Promised Neverland truly begins to open up, and the canonical timeline unfolds. You get to experience the story’s incredible twists and turns just as the manga’s original author intended.
Why Is Starting the Manga After Promised Neverland Season 2 So Complicated?
Starting the manga after Season 2 is complicated because the anime is not a faithful adaptation; it’s a heavily condensed digest that skips most of the story. The second season crams over 140 chapters of dense plot, character development, and world-building into just 11 episodes. This approach creates a narrative full of plot holes and removes the story’s emotional weight.
Think of it like reading the first and last chapters of a novel while skipping everything in between. You might know how it ends, but you have no understanding of how or why the characters got there. The anime’s second season created widespread confusion and disappointment among fans for several key reasons:
- 📛 Massive Skipped Arcs: Entire multi-chapter storylines, including the fan-favorite “Goldy Pond” arc, were completely removed.
- 👤 Erased Characters: Critical characters who serve as mentors and drive the plot are absent from the anime.
- 📄 Rushed Pacing: Character development that unfolds over dozens of chapters in the manga happens in mere minutes in the anime, if at all.
- ❓ Altered Plot: To connect the beginning to the end, the anime created original scenes and changed character motivations, deviating significantly from the canonical story.
Because of this, trying to “pick up” where Season 2 leaves off is impossible. You would have missed the entire core of the narrative. The only way to fix the confusing experience of the anime is to go back to where the story truly continues: right after the escape from Grace Field House.
What Major Arcs and Characters Did The Promised Neverland Season 2 Skip?
Season 2 of the anime skipped several of the most important and beloved parts of the entire series. You missed out on intense battles, deep character growth, and crucial world-building that are fundamental to the plot. The story you saw on screen is a shadow of the rich, intricate narrative found in the manga.
This isn’t just about a few trimmed scenes; the anime removed the very heart of the story’s second act. Here are the most significant pieces of content that were completely cut.
What Was The Goldy Pond Arc?
The Goldy Pond arc is a massive, 40+ chapter storyline (Chapters 53-95) that was entirely removed from the anime. This arc is arguably the most popular in the entire series among manga readers. In it, Emma is separated from her group and stumbles upon an underground hunting preserve where aristocratic demons, led by the terrifying Archduke Lewis, hunt captured human children for sport.
Think of it as the series’ version of The Hunger Games, but with intelligent, philosophical demons as the hunters. This arc is critical for several reasons:
* It’s where Emma moves beyond her initial idealism and learns to fight, strategize, and survive.
* It introduces a new cast of allies who have been surviving in the Demon World for years.
* The battles against the demon “Poachers” are some of the most thrilling and strategic in the series.
* The antagonist, Lewis, is a complex and compelling villain who challenges Emma’s entire worldview.
Skipping this arc removes the primary catalyst for Emma’s growth from a naive escapee into a true leader. It’s a cornerstone of the story that anime-only fans never got to see.
Who Is Yuugo and Why Is He Important?
Yuugo is a major manga-exclusive character who was completely erased from the anime. He is a cynical, traumatized adult who escaped from a different “premium farm,” Glory Bell, years earlier. The children find him living alone in an underground bunker (Shelter B06-32) left by William Minerva.
Initially hostile and broken from losing his own family, Yuugo reluctantly becomes a mentor and father figure to the Grace Field kids.
His Importance: Yuugo acts as a harsh teacher, forcing the children to learn the brutal survival skills they need to live in the Demon World. His emotional journey, from a man who has given up all hope to someone who learns to care again, is one of the most powerful character arcs in the entire series. His absence in the anime leaves a massive emotional and practical hole in the children’s journey.
So, What Is The Ultimate Recommendation for Reading The Manga?
To get the true story, you must read the manga starting from Chapter 38. Based on the massive deviations in the anime’s second season, there is no other viable option for understanding the canonical plot. We’ve synthesized all the information into two clear paths for you.
The Ideal Path: Start from Chapter 1
For the absolute best and most complete experience, we recommend starting from the very beginning. While Season 1 is a faithful adaptation, Posuka Demizu’s incredible artwork is something to behold on its own. Her detailed panels and expressive character designs add a layer of depth and horror that animation can’t fully capture. Reading from the start also allows you to catch minor foreshadowing and details you might have missed.
The Essential Path: Start from Chapter 38
If you have limited time and want to get straight to the unadapted content, starting at Chapter 38 is the absolute minimum requirement. This picks up immediately after the Grace Field House escape, placing you at the start of Volume 5. You will miss nothing from the canonical story by starting here. Do not try to start reading after watching Season 2; you will be completely lost.
Whichever path you choose, you are about to experience the incredible true story of The Promised Neverland.
FAQs About where does the promised neverland anime leave off in the manga
Is The Promised Neverland manga finished?
Yes, The Promised Neverland manga is complete. The series, written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu, concluded in June 2020. It consists of 181 chapters, collected into 20 tankōbon volumes, which provide the full and definitive story from beginning to end.
How many chapters did Season 1 of the anime cover?
Season 1 of the anime covers the first 37 chapters of the manga. This perfectly encapsulates the entire “Grace Field House” arc, from the children discovering the truth about their home to their successful escape. The adaptation is widely considered faithful, making the transition to the manga at Chapter 38 very smooth.
Is the Goldy Pond arc really that important?
Yes, the Goldy Pond arc is critically important for both plot and character development. It’s where Emma’s character transforms, learning how to fight and make difficult choices. The arc introduces new allies and powerful demon antagonists, significantly expands the world’s lore, and directly sets up events that are crucial for the final third of the story.
Does Norman die in the manga like the anime implies?
No, Norman does not die after being shipped from Grace Field. In the manga, he is sent to an experimental facility called Lambda 7214. He later escapes and plays a massive, complex role in the second half of the story that is completely different from his brief and altered reappearance in the anime.
Is the manga ending better than the anime ending?
The overwhelming fan consensus is that the manga ending is significantly better. The manga’s conclusion is the culmination of all 181 chapters, including the arcs the anime skipped. It provides proper resolution for characters and delivers a more emotionally resonant and logical finale. The anime’s ending is considered rushed and unsatisfying by most.
So, I can’t just pick up the manga after Season 2 at all?
You can, but you will be completely lost. Season 2 adapts the final chapter (181) but skips over 100 chapters of vital story to get there. Starting to read after Season 2 would be like watching the first and last five minutes of a movie and assuming you understand it. The only way to understand the story is to start from Chapter 38.
How many volumes are in The Promised Neverland?
There are 20 total volumes of The Promised Neverland manga. The first season of the anime covers the story contained in the first four volumes. This means that if you start reading from Chapter 38 (the beginning of Volume 5), you have 16 full volumes of new and expanded story to enjoy.
Who are Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu?
Kaiu Shirai is the writer and creator of The Promised Neverland, while Posuka Demizu is the artist. Shirai crafted the intricate plot and complex characters, and Demizu brought that world to life with her incredibly detailed and expressive illustration style. Their powerful collaboration is celebrated as a key reason for the series’ success.
Where can I legally read the manga?
You can read The Promised Neverland manga legally on the Viz Media website and the Shonen Jump app with a subscription. You can also purchase the 20 individual digital or physical volumes from major online book retailers. Supporting official releases helps support the creators.
Are there any other major differences besides skipped arcs?
Yes, there are many significant differences. Character motivations, especially for Isabella and Peter Ratri, are much deeper in the manga. The mystery surrounding William Minerva is more complex. The political structure of the Demon world is also far more detailed, which becomes very important in the final arcs of the story.
Key Takeaways: Your Guide to Reading The Promised Neverland Manga
- Season 1 is a Faithful Adaptation: It ends at Chapter 37. You can seamlessly transition to the manga starting with Chapter 38 (Volume 5).
- Season 2 Skips The Majority of the Manga: The second season condenses over 140 chapters into 11 episodes, creating a confusing and rushed story. It is not a reliable continuation.
- The “Goldy Pond” Arc is Essential: This massive, 40+ chapter battle arc, completely absent from the anime, is critical for Emma’s character development and understanding the world.
- You Missed Key Characters: The anime removed crucial characters like Yuugo, an adult mentor figure whose arc is a fan-favorite and vital to the story’s emotional core.
- The Ultimate Starting Point is Chapter 38: To experience the true, canonical story of The Promised Neverland, you must disregard Season 2 and begin reading from Chapter 38.
- The Manga Ending is Superior: The manga’s 181-chapter journey provides a complete, logical, and emotionally satisfying conclusion that the anime’s ending fails to deliver.
- The Full Story is Complete: The manga is finished with 20 volumes, meaning the entire, definitive narrative is available for you to read right now.
Final Thoughts on Experiencing the True Promised Neverland
Navigating the differences between The Promised Neverland anime and its source material can be confusing, but the solution is simple. The celebrated story that captivated millions is waiting for you in the pages of the manga. By starting at Chapter 38, you are not just continuing the story—you are embarking on the real journey.
You will experience the desperate fights for survival, meet the unforgettable characters, and unravel the intricate mysteries that the anime left behind. You have an incredible adventure ahead of you, and now you know exactly where to begin.
