The Promised Neverland
A number of children are being well fed, taken care of, and pampered at a very meticulate and managed orphanage. The facility and grounds are impressive, but the wall acting as a barrier is high. There is a secret to the place and once revealed to several orphans, they're desperate to escape.
The film earned $17.7M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Promised Neverland (2020) showcases strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Yuichiro Hirakawa's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Emma and the orphans play tag in the lush grounds of Grace Field House, living an idyllic life under the care of "Mom" Isabella. They are blissfully unaware of the dark truth of their existence.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Emma and Norman discover Conny's dead body being loaded onto a truck by monsters. They learn the horrifying truth: the orphanage is a farm breeding children as food for demons. Their entire reality shatters in an instant.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Emma decisively declares they will all escape together—every child, no one left behind. Despite the seemingly impossible odds, Norman and Ray commit to the plan. They cross into a new world where they are no longer passive children waiting for adoption, but active agents fighting for their survival., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Norman is selected for "adoption" and will be shipped out in two days. The trio's plan is shattered. What seemed like a manageable timeline becomes an emergency. Norman decides to sacrifice himself to scout beyond the gate, but Emma refuses to accept losing him. False defeat: their unity is breaking., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Norman is shipped out. Emma watches helplessly as her best friend is taken to be killed. The trio is broken, and Emma's promise to save everyone has failed. This is the "death" moment—Norman is gone, Emma is injured, and the escape plan seems impossible., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Emma stops Ray from killing himself and reveals Norman's final plan: he left clues and strategies for them to succeed. Emma synthesizes Norman's intelligence, Ray's pragmatism, and her own hope into a workable escape. She rallies all the children with renewed determination. They will honor Norman by surviving., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Promised Neverland's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Promised Neverland against these established plot points, we can identify how Yuichiro Hirakawa utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Promised Neverland within the action genre.
Yuichiro Hirakawa's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Yuichiro Hirakawa films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Promised Neverland exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Yuichiro Hirakawa filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Yuichiro Hirakawa analyses, see Rookies the Movie: Graduation.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Emma and the orphans play tag in the lush grounds of Grace Field House, living an idyllic life under the care of "Mom" Isabella. They are blissfully unaware of the dark truth of their existence.
Theme
Isabella tells the children that the world outside is dangerous and they must be grateful for the safety of their home. This plants the thematic question: What does freedom really mean, and what price are we willing to pay for safety?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Grace Field House as an orphanage where children are raised by Isabella until they are adopted. The children study, play, and bond. Emma, Norman, and Ray are the oldest and smartest. Daily tests establish the intelligence hierarchy. The iron gate and surrounding forest are forbidden, creating mystery.
Disruption
Emma and Norman discover Conny's dead body being loaded onto a truck by monsters. They learn the horrifying truth: the orphanage is a farm breeding children as food for demons. Their entire reality shatters in an instant.
Resistance
Emma, Norman, and Ray grapple with the truth. They debate whether to tell the other children, how to escape, and whether escape is even possible. Ray reveals he has known the truth for years and has been preparing. They investigate the perimeter, study Isabella's patterns, and realize she is monitoring them closely. Trust becomes complicated.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Emma decisively declares they will all escape together—every child, no one left behind. Despite the seemingly impossible odds, Norman and Ray commit to the plan. They cross into a new world where they are no longer passive children waiting for adoption, but active agents fighting for their survival.
Mirror World
The relationship between the trio deepens as they realize their different approaches to survival: Emma's idealistic hope (save everyone), Norman's calculated pragmatism (protect Emma at all costs), and Ray's cynical realism (sacrifice for the greater good). Their bond becomes the emotional core that will be tested.
Premise
The escape preparation phase. The children train physically, learn about the outside world, and gather supplies. Emma and Norman work to keep morale high while Ray handles logistics. Sister Krone arrives as additional surveillance but becomes a potential ally. Mind games with Isabella intensify as both sides probe for weaknesses. Don and Gilda are brought into the plan.
Midpoint
Norman is selected for "adoption" and will be shipped out in two days. The trio's plan is shattered. What seemed like a manageable timeline becomes an emergency. Norman decides to sacrifice himself to scout beyond the gate, but Emma refuses to accept losing him. False defeat: their unity is breaking.
Opposition
Desperate attempts to save Norman fail. Ray reveals he is Isabella's biological son and has been playing both sides. Norman discovers the cliff that makes escape seem impossible. Sister Krone is eliminated by the demons for her failure. Isabella tightens control, breaking Emma's leg. The children's hope fractures as obstacles multiply. Norman is taken away to his apparent death.
Collapse
Norman is shipped out. Emma watches helplessly as her best friend is taken to be killed. The trio is broken, and Emma's promise to save everyone has failed. This is the "death" moment—Norman is gone, Emma is injured, and the escape plan seems impossible.
Crisis
Emma falls into despair. Ray prepares to set himself on fire as a distraction, planning his own suicide. The children mourn Norman. Isabella believes she has won. The darkest night where hope seems extinguished and sacrifice appears to be the only path forward.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Emma stops Ray from killing himself and reveals Norman's final plan: he left clues and strategies for them to succeed. Emma synthesizes Norman's intelligence, Ray's pragmatism, and her own hope into a workable escape. She rallies all the children with renewed determination. They will honor Norman by surviving.
Synthesis
The escape execution. The children use fire as a distraction, rope bridges to cross the cliff, and coordinated teamwork. Isabella pursues them but arrives too late. The children reach the wall and climb over together. Isabella has a moment of pride and regret as she watches them escape. All fifteen children make it over the wall into the unknown forest, achieving the impossible.
Transformation
Emma and the children stand in the forest outside the wall, free for the first time in their lives. Emma looks back one last time before turning toward the unknown future. They are no longer livestock waiting to be consumed, but free humans choosing their own destiny. The transformation from innocence to agency is complete.