One of the real challenges of writing about this series, as you know, is trying to figure out what’s safe to take about and what isn’t. I always try and err on the side of caution where this sort of thing is concerned (both in the post itself and the comments) but I’d be lying if I said the whole Sister Krone thing wasn’t bothering me. And as much as I rack my brain trying to figure out how it would be, I can’t find any way in which a general discussion of this would be a spoiler.
So – here goes. The anime has ruined Sister Krone. Unfortunately I can’t go into too much detail for obvious reasons, but until you read the Yakusoku no Neverland manga – which I encourage you to do – you’ll just have to take my word for it or disagree, your choice. I can’t know how she plays to a new audience because I can never be part of that audience, but to this manga reader she’s a shell of her ink and paper self. She’s a joke here, a ludicrous popinjay who talks to herself, walks in circles and rips the heads off dolls. She does everything but tell the power trio “It puts the lotion in the basket”.
I feel better getting that off my chest, but it isn’s as simple as that, because Sister Krone’s role in the story is a crucial one. She’s one of the main centers of power at Grace Field House, one of the prime movers on this chessboard, and if she’s robbed of her brilliance and subtlety the balance of the whole game is thrown off. We do get a small dose of how clever she can be when she invites Norman and Emma to her parlor to let them ask whatever they like, the better to prove the sincerity of her offer to ally with them against Isabelle. She gives them (and us) some legit info – most tellingly, about the process of how moms are selected and about the presence of humans in the outside world – but she learns for more than she teaches. And that was always the plan.
This is the best scene of the episode – until Kanbe has Krone go over all English panto on us for no reason – because it gives us a glimpse of the challenge these kids are facing. Krone (even anime Krone) is a smart adult, and even if the kids (especially Norman) are freakishly smart and wise they don’t fully understand even themselves yet. They give away information without realizing they’re doing it, because Krone can read them like a book. Norman thinks he’s a step ahead of everyone but Krone clearly has the jump on him here. An 11 year-old genius is still an 11 year-old as well as being a genius.
Mind you, the kids are certainly smart enough to realize that Krone isn’t to be trusted. Given what they know about their situation no adult possibly could be, but their options are obviously limited. What about the little tidbit Krone drops about girls, upon reaching age 12, possibly having the chance to become future moms? It theoretically offers a lifeline to Emma, but not to the boys. And if anyone were every constitutionally incapable of being tempted by such an offer it’s Emma, who’s as uncompromising in her idealism as Ray is in his hard-nosed practicality.
We never get to hear Krone tell the children about “Him” (though it certainly sparks their curiosity) because she uses that as a teaser to get them to come back to her again. But before that next time can happen, Isabelle drops by Krone’s room with a letter from the home office. We don’t find out what exactly it says (this show does love its cliffhangers) – but it’s clear from Sister Krone’s reaction (and Mama’s, too) that it isn’t glad tidings (for one of them, anyway).
Rasu
February 23, 2019 at 4:21 amThey even don’t show how smart Phil is too.
Guardian Enzo
February 23, 2019 at 9:10 amRasu
February 24, 2019 at 6:26 amBut in the manga it was him who not only showed Emma the books, but how to read them (I don’t remember the existance of a morse dictionary morse, since it really isn’t needed as long as you memorize the alphabet which makes sense since they took those tests), and every of his discovers was less subtle, he indeed plays dumb and has still his children’s inocence and curiosity intact, but, if I do recall well, in the “traitor” chapter, Ray even mentioned how Phill’s score has increased fastly to the point it wouldn’t take too much time for him to reach them (implying such an smart and little boy could be the traitor), while in the adaptation he stills seems as if he’s just like the other youngest (or at least how Emma believes the younger children are…, maybe indeed this is all much more centered in Emma’s perception, who knows?)
On the other hand. Phil’s poker face is far better than the main trio, or even Mama. It makes me root for him. He is even feels more natural.
Kingwombojr
February 23, 2019 at 7:28 amPreach Enzo!
This was the part of the manga where I really got some HXH vibes. Krone, an intelligent yet crazy/dangerous character, teaming up with some smart children entirely for her own benefit reminded me of when Hisoka teamed up with Gon and Killua, or when he tries teaming up with Kurapika so he can ultimately backstab the troupe.
And it got me excited. It was when TPN manga was really starting to feel like something great, and it was largely due to Krone being this unpredictable third wheel in what would have otherwise been a straightforward game of chess between the kids and Mama. She adds this extra, interesting dimension to the story, and here the anime is ruining that aspect–my favorite aspect of this arc.
~
I can only shiver to imagine if Hisoka had received the “Krone” treatment in the 2011. If they had removed most of his intimidation, cunning and formidablity in exchange for an increase in goofy zaniness and comedic relief factor. I can tell you right now if that had happened 2011 HXH would not have become one of my favorite animes.
Guardian Enzo
February 23, 2019 at 9:11 amIt’s a real shame, even if you don’t touch on the question of racism (which for the record, you absolutely could touch on if you wanted, IMO).
Rasu
February 24, 2019 at 6:32 amIt’s such a shame since at this rate Krone’s destiny will look as mere luck, it’d rest her credit.
Simone
March 1, 2019 at 6:02 amWell, as an anime-only watcher, while she is certainly no Hisoka here, I must say I don’t feel like her goofy actions make her less threatening. It feels mostly like a masquerade to me, mixed with a bit of insanity, sure, but then again, given what we learn in this episode about how Moms and Sisters got where they are, that’s hardly a surprising thing to develop. But I never got the feeling she was NOT dangerous or smart or an important player.
That said, I can get it being subjective, just like there’s many people who find comedy moments to ruin suspense in action/thriller shows in general. And it’s obvious that the adaptation is generally very liberal, with some dubious choices that are probably the consequence of their determination to avoid inner monologue at all costs, in a mindgame driven show of all things.
Guardian Enzo
March 1, 2019 at 9:12 amA puzzling determination to say the least.
Lost Link
February 23, 2019 at 8:43 pmI’d be interested to know why she is ruined in the anime. Is it something to do with the fact that she talks out loud a lot and reveals her thoughts when that isn’t necessary?
Guardian Enzo
February 23, 2019 at 9:20 pmThe question is almost impossible to answer without spoiling the manga. About all I can say is that she’s far, far more formidable and less absurd in the original version.