The Promised Neverland: Special Side Story – The First Shot

The First Shot is a single-chapter side story set within the world of The Promised Neverland, built around Ray and released alongside the final collected volume of the main manga. As a one-shot, it does not attempt to retell or summarize the larger saga. Instead, it narrows the series' signature tension into a compact, character-driven encounter. That focus makes it a noteworthy companion piece: it shows how the franchise's psychological and horror elements can operate on a smaller scale, using a brief moment to deepen the emotional stakes surrounding one of its central figures.

For readers who already know the main storyline, the appeal lies in returning to this world with a tighter lens. The chapter carries the same uneasy atmosphere and mystery-driven momentum, but its short length allows for a concentrated study of memory, fear, and resolve. The presence of amnesia as a theme suggests an experience built on uncertainty, where what is remembered or forgotten shapes the character's choices. It is an intimate addition rather than a sprawling side adventure, and that intimacy is precisely what gives it value.

Because it is just one chapter, The First Shot is approachable as a quick read, especially for fans of shounen thrillers who appreciate reflective character moments. It works best for those already invested in The Promised Neverland, since its impact depends on familiarity with Ray and the larger conflict. Newcomers may find the mood intriguing, but they will likely miss much of the resonance. Available through VIZ, this side story stands as a focused coda for longtime readers rather than a standalone introduction.

The First Shot is a manga one-shot within The Promised Neverland franchise. It is not the main serialized series by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu, which ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2016 to 2020 and was collected in 20 volumes. Instead, this entry is a special side story and a single chapter. Its Japanese title marks it as a tokubetsu bangai-hen, or special extra edition. It sits alongside the main manga as supplemental material rather than serving as its beginning, continuation, or adaptation.

Released in 2020, this one-shot focuses on Ray, one of the central characters from the main manga, and was published to commemorate the release of the final volume. That timing places it near the end of the original serialization's publication cycle. It is original manga content, not an adaptation of the anime television series produced by CloverWorks. The franchise includes the main manga, its anime adaptation, and other tie-in works, but this page covers only this single chapter.

For readers, The First Shot functions as a stand-alone side story. It can be approached as bonus material connected to the main narrative, though it is not required to understand the core story. VIZ availability links it to the English-language release of the franchise. It remains a distinct individual work within the broader property.