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I have such mixed feelings about this season that I wasn't sure what I wanted to rate this, but I knew I wanted to write a review. Even now, I keep reconsidering the numbers I've put down. It's hard.

As a manga reader, I'm as disappointed as the next guy about what was cut. However, I'm not going to go on about that the whole time, because I'm sure everyone else already has. "Read the manga" and "the manga was better" have already been said loads of times in these reviews, I'm sure. I'm going to try to focus on what I enjoyed from this season. I will be trying not to spoil anything, manga or anime, but don't read this if you have problems with references or hints towards the plot.

First, the ending. I know that a lot of manga readers were frustrated with the ending. When I read it, I didn't feel that. I thought it was fine. Could it have been better? Yes. But, was it bad? No, I don't think so. After finding how the anime ends, I see that the manga ending wasn't all that great. Not compared to this, at least. I do think it would've been really cool if they made a whole third season to continue the anime ending instead of just showing snapshots because I would've really enjoyed that. Near the end of the manga, it becomes more political and talks a lot about the systems that make up this world and the agreements made, which I loved. Some of those snapshots they showed were some of my favourite parts!

Second, the animation and sound. I feel like this is something we should all be able to agree on: The Promised Neverland is beautiful. Not beautiful in a Violet Evergarden way, but beautiful nonetheless. The way everything just fits together nicely and pulls you in (most of the time) is incredible. Overall, I do appreciate this part of the anime.

Third, the characters. Despite the fact that that we did miss an arc that really helped to develop current characters and introduce new ones, I still found the anime characters likeable and realistic. Their motivations are clear. Watching how Emma's plan is so different from That Guy Whose Name I Can't Say's plan is a lot of fun. You know they both want the same thing, they just have different ways of looking at it. I was keeping up with a few anime watchers as the season went on, asking them what they thought about this scene or that scene. It really seems like the characters weren't that much of an issue. They could've been better, but missing that arc didn't make the main characters any less interesting.

What are my final thoughts? It's good. If I were to block out the manga completely, it's good. It feels rushed because I've read the manga. The characters feel underdeveloped because I've read the manga. The reintroduction of That Guy Whose Name I Can't Say felt out of place, because I've read the manga (I really wanted to see the shelter though, it was epic and I was looking forward to it). All the complaints I have are because I've heard the story in a different way, a way I perceive to be better for the most part. Does that mean the anime is bad? No, not necessarily. It's just bad for the manga readers - and anyone else who knows enough about Goldy Pond to miss it. They're both good, they both bring their own wonderful parts to their universe.

Now for the big question, should you read the manga? It's totally up to you. I don't know if I would recommend it. If you're interested to see what you missed, go ahead. However, much of it is very similar up until when it splits off and having the visuals and music in the anime makes it a great experience. If you're an anime-only who's completely content with how the second season went and you don't feel the need to find out what happened, that's fine too. Not everyone needs to read the manga. However, the manga isn't perfect. While I loved the manga, it's obvious that there are some parts that could've been a lot better, or things that should've been touched on in more detail, like the Lambda kids. I might write a review for the manga sometime.

I think I've gotten my thought out in a way that makes sense. Finally. I'm giving this a 4, although I honestly don't know at this point. Some parts were good. A lot was a disappointment. I'm glad I watched it.

Side note: I really don't get why Mujika still gave the pendant to Emma if they were just going to remove everything with the Seven Walls. That makes no sense!