NorEmma

NorEmma is the het ship between Norman and Emma from The Promised Neverland fandom.

Canon
Having grown up together in the same house as the gracefield kids, Norman and Emma have been best friends ever since they were little along with Ray. They share a close bond from their early childhood that persists throughout their time together and inspired each of them in one way or another throughout their time apart. Norman not only respects but also deeply loves Emma and has openly admitted so. Wanting to protect her even if it means sacrificing his own safety in the process. Profoundly amazed by her kind, selfless, optimistic and honest nature, Norman greatly admires Emma and looks up to her with respect-showing an abundance of faith in her capabilities and taking her opinions to heart. He fully acknowledges but accepts her faults and greatly cares about her. Emma deeply cares about Norman and would do anything to keep him safe. She trusts and is willing to be openly vulnerable and confide her fears and worries, finding emotional support and comfort in Norman and deeming him as kind and smart with a soft smile. Emma places a great amount of importance on Norman and outright refuses to accept any outcome that might endanger his life. His words and presence deeply inspire her and she continuous to take them to heart throughout her journey.

After his "shipment" Emma is completely shattered but draws strength from his "final" words to her and vows to keep their promise, stating that she'll make sure to live for him and see the world he couldn't see with his memory being a source of motivation for her. They tearfully re-unite after less than two years and share an emotional hug with Emma crying for the first time in a long while and stating having to lose him was one of her biggest regrets. The two have a disagreement due to their different worldviews but Emma reaches out to Norman and coaxes him to open up to her before leaving for her mission, vowing to never let him be alone ever again. After the trio re-unite again at the demon capital Norman breaks down in front of Emma and Ray with Emma scolding and comforting him, telling him he doesn't need to protect her all the time- fully acknowledging his faults but stating she would like to walk along side him from then on out. The two finally reconcile completely and begin to work together once again.

Escape arc/Gracefield arc
Emma and Norman have been best friends since their early childhood. Often seen together along with Ray who shares the same status as the other two. As little kids Norman and Emma were very close, often playing together and even frequently teaming up to drag Ray into their antics. Emma was also known to persistently visit Norman whenever he was sick to keep him company despite being warned several times until Ray came up with the idea of using cup phones, ensuring they could still talk even from a distance.

Being the oldest kids in gracefield at 11 years old, The trio assume the responsibility as older siblings. Norman and Emma were often the last two standing during the game of tag which almost always resulted in Norman's victory. The day of the shipment of one of their siblings Connie would lead to the duo finding her left-behind stuffed toy which they both riskily attempt to return with Norman assuring Emma they could face the consequences together later. After discovering the truth of their home, both kids return back to the house terrified with Emma visibly distressed and crying to which Norman comforts her. After seeing Norman's reassuring smile, Emma calms down and states to herself that she won't cry again.

The duo begin to secretly work together in order to come up with an escape plan that'll ensure the safety of all the gracefield kids and decide to enlist the help of their shared mutual best friend Ray(who had been listening all along). After a disagreement among the trio, Ray questions Norman on why he decided to go along with Emma's plan despite being the most rational one among them to which Norman responds to loving Emma and wanting to see her happy; vowing to protect her safety even if it jeopardizes his.

While trying to capture the house spy, Norman goes to Emma to enlist her opinion on what the fate of the spy should be if ever they were to be found out to which Emma insists that they should be brought along despite their wrong doings. Norman takes this opinion to heart and decides to change his mind and instead speculate on the situation of the spy with a much more positive outlook. When the spy is revealed to be Ray who then insists that Norman deceive Emma in order for the plan to work, Norman is very hesitant to fool Emma and instead tries to think of a way to outsmart Ray, albeit stating it would be difficult to do so.

Norman and Emma continue to work together through a deal with sister Krone along with Ray, Don and Gilda until the day the fateful plan is to be carried. The plan is put in Jeopardy when Mama Isabella arrives at the scene and gives the duo an ultimatum. The two look to each other without speaking, mutual understanding passing between them before they both decide to take action which unfortunately lead to Emma's leg being broken and a shipment announcement for Norman.

Emma becomes severely distressed at the prospect of the news of the shipment, disregarding their earlier failure and her injury in order to focus on keeping Norman alive. Norman meanwhile is wreaked by shame at causing Emma to worry so desperately and his own will to keep on living. Faced with the prospect of having to lose Emma or Ray or his entire family vs his will to keep living, he comes to the decision of using the remainder of his final moments to overturn Mama's plans. Emma and Ray on the other hand insist on saving Norman instead against his wishes with Emma stating anything else is better than him dying and frantically begs him to live with them to which he finally gives in.

After Norman's escape fails due to the presence of a large cliff, Emma and Ray aguishly question him to which he reveals his intention hadn't even been to escape in the first place but to investigate the walls and come up with a planned structure to aid in the escape of the rest of the house. After an emotional hug and thank you with his two best friends, Norman prepares for his impending fate. On his way to the door, Norman thinks back to his to friends and settles on Emma's plea to "wanting him to be a part of their everybody" to which he blushes lightly, touched by how deeply she apparently cared for him.

During his shipment, Norman says his goodbyes to the other children in the house meanwhile Emma desperately insists on saving Norman to a dejected Ray and becomes even more anguished at the realization of how scared Norman must be despite not outwardly showing it.

The two come face to face with Emma still visibly distressed as she rationalizes his actions but still outright refuses to let him go and tackles him in a hug as a last resort diversion to help Norman escape, nearly putting their entire plan in danger in the process. Shocked, Norman prevents Emma from injuring her leg further just in time and scolds her for being reckless to which Emma vehemently states that she can't let him go. With a heavy-heart, Norman quietly questions Emma on why she won't respect his wish and focus on the bigger picture instead but Emma retorts saying the idea of letting him die is the one and only wish she outright refuses to ever respect, even more so because in reality it isn't even what he wants for himself to which Norman stares in wide-eyed retrospection as he recalls his own words.

Norman laments on Emma's flaws and stubborn nature but can't help but be charmed by the positive traits that make him deeply admire her nonetheless. Heavily touched by how profoundly she cared about him and stating that that alone made him feel incredibly grateful for his life, she being the reason why he continued to smile despite feeling fear and pain and the reason why he could continue to smile in that moment and reaches out to softly cup the side of her face as Emma stared back miserably just as they are interrupted by Mama Isabella.

Emma continues to persist but is icily shut down by Mama Isabella who insists she gives up. Norman says his last goodbye to a devastated Emma, encouraging her to take care of herself and succeed in her plan. He gives her a re-assuring hug with his final words to her being to never lose hope. Emma, on the verge of tears, silently apologizes to Norman for being unable to see him off with a smile as he finally leaves the house towards impending death and thanks him for everything he's done and for being himself.

The day after Norman's shipment both Emma and Ray are seen to have falling into a state of depression as Emma is continuously reminded of Norman's absence throughout her day. After Ray hopelessly opts out of the plan, Emma laments on her bed on what she should do next realizing that she was always able to work hard because Norman was by her side as she continuous to berate herself. Wishing desperately for Norman's presence and lamenting on her broken leg and heavy heart.

Isabella appears out of the blue and manipulatively coaxes Emma, stating that she lost everything including her moral support and it was best to give into despair. Emma, anguished by her words, thinks back to all her friends and Norman's final words to her "Never give up" and refuses the offer to which she is left to grovel in her thoughts.

Emma and Ray are revealed to have still been pursuing an escape plan as Ray states that Emma never really gave up, a statement she confirms as she thinks back to all the times she mustered strength to continue on for Norman's sake

Norman is revealed to have planned out and entrusted an escape plan to Emma and the rest of the kids all of which is written down as a letter and delivered to Emma by Don and Gilda. He encourages Emma, truly believing she can carry out the plan and telling her to please take care of Ray and the rest of their family. Emma lights a match and utters "Let's begin, Norman" as she sets the house ablaze

It is revealed yet again that Emma chimed in the idea of making the older kids aware of what was going on to Norman and the two had been working together with the others behind Ray's back after becoming aware of his self-destructive plan. Emma envisions Norman giving her a push of encouragement as she stares at the wall and smiles before springing back into action.

Ray envisions Norman next to him and Norman tells him even though he was doubtful of the plan coming into fruition they had Emma on their side and he wholeheartedly believed she was capable of saving their family, assuring Ray that he doesn't need to give up.

Promised forest/BO6-32 shelter arc
After the kids successfully escape into a forest, Emma cheerfully calls out Norman's name to herself as they run to safety. After meeting two friendly demons in the forest (Musica and Sungjoo) Emma asks Sungjoo to teach her how to hunt to which he obliges. She's introduced to the vida plant and thinks back to all the family she lost, becoming more visibly distressed as she thinks back to Norman. Later, she bonds with Musica, showing her pictures of the kids and stops on one of Norman, introducing him and stating that she'll never forget her promise to him and will fulfill it no matter what.

Emma watches as everyone settles into the new shelter and somberly remarks to Ray that she misses the kids they left behind and Norman

Emma tells Yuugo she and Ray lost someone important to them too, an irreplaceable best friend and remarks that he entrusted everything to her that's why she'll continue to push forward no matter how hard it gets for his sake too and she'll continue to live for the both of them.

Goldypond arc
Norman is revealed to be in a high facility farm and he somberly mentions missing Emma, Ray and his family as he goes through his daily procedures before vowing to stay alive and meet them once again.

After receiving a fatal injury from Lewis, Emma hallucinates Norman whispering some otherwise unknown words to her as he entwines his fingers with hers and helps her back to consciousness.

Emma seemingly envisions Norman talking to her as she gets up from a fatal blow, gun in hand.

The king of paradise arc
Emma enters the office of William Minerva and stands dumbfounded with a single tear in her eye as she comes face to face with Norman. She calls out his name, still in disbelief as to whether it really was him and he excitedly calls out her name hich leads to Emma's face contorting and immediately breaking down in tears. Emma drops the Minerva pen and both run towards each other. Emma continuous to cry hysterically as she begins to think to herself how often she dreamt of a world were Norman could be alive and how many things she regretted and how she nearly fell into despair. She laments on how hard it was but proudly silently thinks to Norman about how she never gave up.

The two embrace fully as Norman expresses relief at seeing her alive. Emma continuous crying in disbelief and cups his face with both hands as she insists he assure her that it's really him. Norman briefly explains were he had been all that time before cupping the side of her face with his hand but instantly realizes her ear was cut off. Emma reassures him happily and introduces him to all the kids they gathered on their journey.

Quotes
"Because I love her. I want to do the things that'll make Emma happy... because I love her."

- Norman to Ray about Emma.

"Cuz if you do, we can finally be together right?"

- 4 year old Emma visiting sick Norman in bed in the side story.

"No...Norman is going to die! But he's alive right now! Right in front of me breathing...Blood flowing through his veins and making his hands warm like this."

- Emma's reaction to Norman's shipment.

"I need you to be part of that all Norman!"

- Emma convincing Norman not to get shipped out.

"He's doing everything for the sake of our family. I know... I know! I know but... I don't want to understand!! I have to grab ahold of him now or else Norman will actually die! I can't let it happen. I can't let him die at all. I won't let him!"

- Emma trying to save Norman from getting shipped.

"This again. She's so reckless. So naïve. And yet... She's always so pure and straightforward that it nearly blinds me."

- Norman about Emma during his shipment.

"But Emma doesn't understand. The fact is that her caring this much alone makes me feel incredibly grateful for my life. Emma...You are the reason why I could continue to smile despite my fears and pain. You... are the reason why I can continue to smile right now."

- Norman about Emma during his shipment.

"I'm so sorry... that I'm unable to see you off with a smile. I'm so sorry I'm such a downer. Norman... Thank you thank you...for everything you've done. Thank you for being you!"

- Emma to herself as Norman is being shipped away.

"Even though I know he's gone my eyes and ears still search for him. Norman is gone, it's agonizing to think about."

- Emma about Norman the day after his shipment.

"That's right... until now I've always been able to work hard because I had Norman by my side. My leg hurts... but my chest hurts even more."

- Emma agonizing about Norman's shipment.

"He's gone. I let him leave. I couldn't do anything. NO! Think for Norman's sake! What is it that I need to do now?!"

- Emma trying to come up with an escape plan.

"Let's begin, Norman."

- Emma as she sets the house on fire.

"Dearest Emma..."

- Norman writing a letter to Emma.

"And this here is Norman. I'll never forget my promise to him...Never give up."

- Emma showing a photo to Musica in the promised forest.

"He entrusted everything to me saying, 'I leave the rest to you' That's why I keep pushing forward no matter how hard it gets so that I can live for his sake too. I'll go see the sites that Norman wanted to see and live in the world that Norman wanted to live in."

- Emma to Yuugo in the wild.

"Emma...Ray and all my friends...I want to see them."

- Norman to himself in Lambda.

"I can't, die yet... Nor...Huh? What is it?"

- Emma hallucinating Norman whiles on the verge of death.

"This pistol...the one I chose at the shelter... you're right Norman. If I use it..."

- Emma hallucinating Norman after standing up from a fatal injury.

"How often did I dream of this...that Norman could somehow be alive. How often was I filled with regret...and about to fall into despair. It was so hard but I gave it my all Norman!"

- Emma as she reunites with Norman.

"All this time I hoped we could meet again....I'm glad you're okay, Emma."

- Norman to Emma as she tearfully hugs him.

"Right now... you're alive and right here next to me!"

- Emma to Norman as the trio play together.

"Norman is kind and smart. He's always so soft and smiles in such a sweet way..."

- Emma to the lambda group about Norman.

"You know Norman... It's okay. You don't have to be a God."

- Emma to Norman as she hugs him re-assuredly.

"I won't let Norman sacrifice his life ever again."

- Emma to Gilda about going to the 7 walls.

"You don't need to protect me! I want to walk alongside you!"

- Emma to Norman at the demon capital.

Behind the Scenes

 * Kaui Shirai(author mangaka) commented on WSJ issue 45 about the anime songs "Zettaizetsumei" and "Lamp" being about his (Norman's) story. Both seeming to parallel Norman and Emma's relationship and thoughts.

Fanon
The ship slowly started to build in popularity after chapter 3 of the manga were Norman confessed to loving Emma and picked up in pace during the goodbye chapters of Emma and Norman. The anime release coincided with Norman's return in the manga which thus lead to a blowup in popularity and fan-content. The cup-phone from one of the side story is frequently used in most fanart as well as various depictions of scenes from the side novel

Fandom
FAN FICTION