#just largely fell out of the shounen demographic so I'm generally eh on new releases

[fullscoreshenanigans]

Prefacing this with how there is merit in all of Demizu's covers because the woman rarely misses.

That said, things that come as no surprise to me:

• Volume 3 ranking the lowest.

It feels too similar to volume 2 with its general layout focusing on a group of kids closely huddled together in the center (I have accidentally clicked on one thinking it was the other when pulling them up on Kindle for reference multiple times; it being immediately preceded by 2 chronologically worsens this) and feels more generically shounen manga with it immediately confronting the viewer that there's a conflict going on here with this group of kids as opposed to how the previous two volumes hold a bit more mystery to them that pull the reader in. It doesn't help that on quick glance, volume 2's details are also more clear and easier to discern while volume 3's are more blurred.

It's a shame because I do really like the rich, deep red beneath the children's feet that provides a peak into blood-soaked, ugly underbelly of Grace Field's nature and how that balances out with the predominance of brown, and it feels like I'm doing @goldiipond a disservice by not mentioning the magnificent Don on it.

But relatively speaking it's drowned out by the charming variety of Demizu's covers.

• Volume 4 ranking high.

If you've spent a bit of time on this blog it's obvious I have a bit of bias on this, but sharing the sentiment of @freshcupofangst

#this was so hard but volume four is near and dear to my heart #it just has such a unique vibe even lined up with so many of the others

I adore the dreary air that's settled over the visuals with the saturation being dulled and muted after how bright the previous volume covers were (and as it would turn out all subsequent ones) that both feels appropriate for the contents within the text and draws the reader's curiosity by not making it blatantly apparent what's caused it. Also appreciate a cover focusing on two boys and a girl that's not inherently tied up in a love triangle while all parties involved are still incredibly close (Ray not grasping Norman's hand like Norman grasps Emma's hand and Emma grasps his, but almost delicately reaching out to just feel he's still there with them, I can't think of another title with such a little detail that doesn't overly feature romance between two male characters.)

Surprises for me:

⍟ How closely ranked volumes 6 through 10 are with each other, with the exception of volume 8.

While expecting volume 4 to rank high, I didn't think the divide between it and the back half of this poll would be as stark.

⍟ How low volumes 1 and 5 are.

Thought at least one of them would make it to the final round for reasons like what @emmaspolaroid shared:

#I gotta go with volume 5 I LOVE that cover #i feel like it really encapsulates Emma’s characterization and her motivations at that point and also perhaps most importantly it is Cool #Like the puzzle pieces in the sky for the volume in which they learn about the world outside the House.. it’s just perfect #9 is an *extremely* close second because of the reverse/inner cover lining up with norman in a way that makes me scream and punch the wall #and i forever love the drama of volume 6 it’s so 2006 in the best way #But 5 is top tier look at the composition!!! #the contrast of the cool tones vs Emma’s red hair she is the difference she is the moment

I had such a hard time deciding between 1, 4, and 5 that I didn't vote until a day after the poll had been up. 1 has a classic Demizu fisheye perspective that allows for a unique presentation of the mystery that lurks beneath the glided veneer of the house without giving away exactly what it is, initially drawing the eye with bright colors to the center and surface in a way that's befitting the anachronistic presentation of Grace Field, making it feel mystical and timeless.

And just for me,

Some big bro Norman and Phil content. 💖💝

1 and 5 also have some of the more poignant inner covers of the series.

Volumes 11 - 20 + Kaiu Shirai x Posuka Demizu: Beyond The Promised Neverland

Top five of each poll will advance to the final round.