About “The Promised Neverland” in a few words:

“The Promised Neverland” is a dark fantasy anime and manga series that follows the story of a group of orphans who live in a seemingly idyllic orphanage, only to discover that it’s actually a farm where they are being raised to be eaten by demons. The three main characters, Emma, Ray, and Norman, devise a plan to escape and save their fellow orphans, all while evading the watchful eye of their caretaker, Isabella. The series explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love.

Meet the characters from The Promised Neverland

Emma

Emma is the kind of impossible optimist who runs headfirst into danger with a grin and three plans already forming in her head. She’s stubborn, almost annoyingly upbeat, but also fiercely maternal — like she will organize an escape and bake cookies afterward, maybe, I swear she would. Athletic, loud, and weirdly trusting yet also terrifyingly determined when someone she loves is threatened. She forgets details sometimes (names, where she left her keys — no, not the keys to the world), but never forgets a promise.

Ray

Ray is the sardonically brilliant brainiac who always has five steps ahead written in his head and zero patience for small talk. Dry, secretive, reads too much, smokes metaphorical cigarettes (or actual? it’s fuzzy) and will willingly be the cold, pragmatic one because somebody has to be. He’s like the person who will dismantle the plan just to show you a better one, then pretend he was joking — except he wasn’t. Low-key loyal underneath the sarcasm; don’t tell him that though, he’d hate the drama.

Don

Don is loud, big-hearted, and kind of gloriously blunt — the kind of friend who shouts encouragement and then pats you so hard you almost fly. Protective to a fault, he’s got this goofy bravado but it’s just a shell for how deeply he cares. Stubborn, a little impulsive, and always ready to throw himself in front of trouble (or at least try to), which is both infuriating and wonderful. Also, he insists he hates sweets but always seems to have half a cookie somewhere — suspicious.

Gilda

Gilda is the observant, practical one who notices details everyone else overlooks and quietly organizes everyone else’s chaos. Cool-headed, a bit sarcastic, and actually brimming with empathy — she’ll make the sensible call and then be the first to help you clean up the mess. She likes lists, probably labels things, and pretends not to enjoy dramatic speeches, but she totally does, in a very understated way. She’s the friend you want in a crisis and also the one who’ll remind you to pack a spare sock.

Lannion

Lannion feels like the older, slightly mysterious ally — stoic, serious, with weirdly specific hobbies (maps? stamps? something that sounds like a hobby but he won’t explain). He’s calm under pressure, almost unnervingly patient, and has this old-school code of honor that makes him both reliable and occasionally stubborn. Rumor has it he hums sea shanties to himself (or maybe that was another guy — memory’s fuzzy), and he likes things tidy even if he gets sentimental about tiny things. He’s quietly impressive and slightly intimidating in a “don’t mess with him” but also “bring snacks” way.

Mark

Mark is the little kid with surprising courage, the kind who looks small but has a backbone made of something stubbornly fierce. Innocent but not helpless; he’s got that bright, pleading look that somehow steels everyone else up. Curious, clingy at times (in the best way), and he talks about small adventures like they’re huge heroic deeds — which, honestly, they often are for him. He loves silly drawings and will insist on showing you his latest masterpiece whether you want to see it or not.

Phil

Phil is tiny, eerie in how quietly observant he is, and somehow immediately unforgettable — like he notices things others gloss over. He gives off this weird mix of childlike honesty and a maturity that can be oddly unsettling (in the best storytelling way). Shy, but with a fierce streak when it matters, he’s the kid you’d underestimate at your own peril. Also, he seems to like being dramatic about nothing and will cry at commercials but then laugh at the worst jokes.

Thoma

Thoma is the gentle giant type — broad, calming, a protector who prefers hands-on help to speeches. Quietly kind, practical, and probably the sort who fixes things with duct tape and a smile; you can count on him to make the heavy lifting happen. He’s surprisingly introspective for someone who looks like they should be only punching things (no, really, he thinks about things a lot). Has a weird obsession with humming, and maybe collects buttons? Or hats? Something soft and questionable.

Rossi

Rossi is that gruff-but-sweet side character who surprises you by being unexpectedly clever and oddly sentimental. He’s rough around the edges, cracks a lot of jokes that are sometimes in poor taste, and will demand respect while handing out gummy candies like a grumpy grandpa. Loyal, practical, and a bit of a risk-taker — possibly the one who insists on doing the reckless thing but with a plan. He wears his emotions on his sleeve when he thinks no one is looking (then pretends he wasn’t), which is both adorable and chaotic.

Norman

Norman is the cool, brilliant strategist who makes it look effortless — the calm in the storm who probably had a spreadsheet for feelings once. Unflappable, kind, and a little too fond of perfect plans, he’s the archetypal sympathetic genius who cares more than he lets on. He smiles in a way that’s calming and slightly terrifying because you know something big is happening behind it. Also, he’s the kind of person who will rearrange your bookshelf and call it “optimizing energy flow” and you’ll let him.