Kaiu Shirai, the author ofThe Promised Neverland, is working in collaboration with Amano Yuichi, author ofAna no Mujina, on a new one-shot manga.The new story, titledAPPLE, will be released on Jun 02, 2025, in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Given the authors' prior histories, it can be assumed that Shirai will be penning the story, while Yuichi will be the one-shot’s illustrator. Described as Action Noir, the series will likely include darker elements and a serious tone.
Following the conclusion ofThe Promised Neverland, Shirai continued working with series' illustrator, Posuka Demizu, on releasing a collection of one-shots written throughout their time working together, as well as a short series titledMiroirs, to celebrate a collaboration with CHANEL.APPLEwill be Kaiu Shirai’s second one-shot without Posuka Demizuhandling the art, followingKubigesho, released in January 2024.
The Promised Neverland Is a Divisive Series
The Series Has Devoted Critics and Defenders
The Promised Neverlandmanga was extremely successful, spanning 20 volumes over a four-year span. The anime adaptation by CloverWorks was arguably even more popular, gaining fanfare and critical acclaim for its superb first season. Unfortunately, the second season became infamous for a steep drop in overall quality, as well as completelycutting important sections of the story.
While the anime did considerable damage toThe Promised Neverland’s reputation, a large portion of the series' fanbasealready believed that the manga suffered in its latter half, abandoning the personality traits and believability of its characters that made them so likable. On the other hand, both the first halves of the manga and anime remainapplauded by fans for its unique story, masterful world building, and shocking twists that feel natural and earned. And Shirai’s writing skills may shine in a shorter one-shot, which doesn’t allow for as many moving pieces.
The One-Shot Format May Play Into the Writer’s Strengths
The popular perception of Kaiu Shirai’s work onThe Promised Neverlandis that the series began extremely strong, and just sort of lost its way over time, as the story and its world expanded. A one-shot’s shorter formatmay play to Shirai’s strengths as an author, allowing for a more focused, restricted setting and smaller cast. IfAPPLEdoes incorporate the darker subject matter its Noir tag is typically comprised of,The Promised Neverlandis proof enough of the writer’s proficiency in writing dark themes.
Artist Amano Yuichi’sAna no Mujinagained moderate fanfare and praise for its unique story, though the series has been on hiatus for several years.The Promised Neverlandis a divisive series, having both hardcore critics and defenders, but nevertheless is a story that rightfully gained a sizable following over time. And the upcomingAPPLEpromises to keep a similar, darker tone that author Kaiu Shirai has already had success with. The one-shot will be worth checking out for any fans of the author’s most well-known work.
The Promised Neverland
Cast
The Promised Neverland is a suspenseful anime series set in an orphanage where children, led by the intelligent Emma, uncover a dark secret about their idyllic home and plan a daring escape.
