I would rather not get Norman back than get him back as an actual villain.
I can excuse a "brainwash" (I'd prefer if this is avoided though) and I can accept him being forced to do things he doesn't want. But changing his actual character and his views, going against everything he stood for in the first thirty chapters is something I really don't want. What I liked about him is who he was as a person so I'd rather remember him for who he was than get him back as someone completely different.
And I firmly believe he'll be back - so you have no idea how hard I'm crossing my fingers that this isn't what they do with his character.
(I figure this is unpopular because I've seen a ton of people saying it would be an interesting twist; for me it's just a dreadful thought.)
My thoughts exactly, Manda. This also ties into the Ray's Suicide debate. Of the main three, at least 1 needed to end up dead. Neverland is just that kind of series, a psychological thriller.
I was of the opinion originally that Ray needed to go, simply because I, like most people, am not deceived. Of COURSE Norman is alive. His survival better have one hell of an explanation, which won't satisfy me, to at least give excuse for rendering his "sacrifice" and the emotional impact mute. Like with Ray's potential death, Norman's absence left a hole that had to be filled, and it was, both emotionally and mentally through the development of Emma.
Now, as for Ray, specifically, I always thought he was the "one to go". Ray even believed this himself; it was his entire agenda! Even to the extent of immolating himself with Isabella, he intended to die somehow. So when he winds up about ready to commit suicide, I was expecting it as the end to his tragic, somewhat mysterious and revealed-to-be torturous life up to that point. Heck, most everyone thought he was a traitor, and technically this turned out true.
But, I gave it a chance. And from the moment we see Norman's "ghost" talking with Ray (which is to me almost, note I say almost, evidence that he may in fact be gone for good... dare we hope), Ray's character starts to suddenly shift. This is great psychology. His entire arc is a perfect example of a person who gave up on living and failed to die, and thus must change to continue forward. He's grown marvelously. He's not even the same person emotionally as he was even immediately after Gracefield House. So I don't regret his loss. In a way, the fact that he was developed so perfectly so that we were meant to feel closure with his end, just makes his survival all the more potent. We are meant, and forced, to experience life from HIS perspective, where he daily observes the question of "this is the 'what if I somehow survived' that he probably imagined before the escape night.
So in the end, I guess I'm 50/50 about Ray's survival. Either way would have been well done, no pun intended. But I think that, assuming Norman never again becomes a major point of interaction with the other kids and Emma, it paid off in the end. Now, if Norman returns... well. Then Ray shouldn't have made it. Of course, we all know Emma wouldn't have retained sanity if that happened. She'd have gone berserk or into a state of catatonia. So if anything one of her brothers had to live somehow, at least until everyone escaped imminent danger.
Of other story elements, I can't say much at the moment. But I feel that the series has indeed departed from its root source of enjoyment. The kids are getting slow development on their background personalities. But other than Phil, none have really demonstrated keen enough intellect or resourcefulness to warrant any character focus. But let's be honest, shall we? These kids are too young. And of the older four, Gilda has had excellent time taking instant charge. Right now Don is the one most lacking in contribution.
My bet is we're going to get more mind games and battles soon in coming chapters. I hope. There's only so much that can be done with the mysteries and survival/adventure. But if they do... I'm imagining a 7Seeds world out there. Plenty of room for exploration there.
My last opinion is that a few of the side character kids need to die, but only AFTER the safety of the majority is well-established and there's an appreciable time to breathe. Otherwise I don't see any characters consistently handling such trauma, character-wise or realistically. If these were teenagers, sure. But they're not, and it won't just be Emma who suffers a breakdown. But if there's no death... or something... there's no tension. And without the threat of impending disaster OR puzzle battles... what is left?
Isabella: my last point. I miss her. I was just thinking earlier today that she's left a real void in my fictional life. I.e, I don't get the malicious, cunning, complex, tragic zing from any other character or manga. In a way, she was a perfectly executed antagonist. Mama was cold as ice and hard-willed as iron. That second chapter where Emma turns to look at Mama during her interrogation, only to have a scary panel of Isabella's face... priceless. It's for the mixture of art and characterization that made Krone and Isabella so riveting to the story. She's gone now. Of course, Sun-Joo turned out to be a much more malevolent replacement. *Shudders* He's gone too, though. And only revealed his bloodthirsty ambition at the end.
Here's to this series being only 100-150 chapters max. A Big Three length epic this is not meant to be. No way are they holding my attention for that long, not unless new characters are consistently introduced and death becomes a constant and real event. But didn't similar series like Death Note survive for a little too long past their expiration date? Only time will tell... and of course, ratings.
