This Monster Wants to Eat Me
There are traumatic events that define some people’s lives. The death of loved ones, near-death experiences, or anything irreparable can bring it about. We all live in the same world, obeying nature's indiscriminate laws, whether we like it or not. We can do what we can to improve or damage our chances, and secondary rules vary from person to person, but don’t we all walk toward the same fate, trying to leave our mark regardless?
“This Monster Wants to Eat Me," also known as “Watashi wo Tabetai, Hitodenashi” or simply "WataTabe," is a 13-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 2nd of October until the 25th of December in Fall 2025. It was produced by Toei Video, Pony Canyon, AT-X, Studio Mausu, Tokyo MX, Infinite, Kadokawa Media House, BS NTV, Kadokawa, and arma bianca, and brought to life by Studio Lings. The main staff behind it includes Nishimae Ayaka, Arimizu Soujirou, Hamabe Ena, and Asakawa Tetsu as Producers. Featuring drama, girls' love, and supernatural elements alongside the theme of mythology, the 23-minute episode series was targeted at the Seinen demographic and earned a PG-13 rating for teenagers aged 13 or older. The Anime is based on the Manga series of the same name, the work of author and artist Naekawa Sai, which began publication on the 27th of August 2020 and is still ongoing. It’s getting serialized in Dengeki Maoh and has also been published in English via Yen Press since the 18th of June 2024.
The story follows protagonist Hinako Yaotose, who lives her life surrounded by the trauma caused by an accident that whisked her whole family off to their deaths at sea. Incapable of escaping the thought of sinking into the depths of the ocean forever, Hinako Yaotose finds that the only beacon of light in her life is her friend, Miko Yashiro, who allows her to maintain a semi-happy facade; however, she falls back into despair the moment Miko leaves her side. But fate has a twist in store for her one summer, when she crosses paths with a mysterious girl with beautiful eyes as deep and clear as the ocean itself, who inadvertently draws her in like nothing else before.
Now wrapped up in an absent-minded search for this peculiar girl, Hinako ends up being suddenly pulled underwater by some deep-sea beast, only to regain consciousness in the presence of the very girl she sought, Shiori Oumi, who transforms into a monster herself and takes down Hinako's attacker. Despite this heroic act of saving her, Shiori's true intentions are not too different from any other monster: she wishes to devour Hinako! But for now, at least, Hinako lives to see another day and is greeted the very next morning by something to look forward to: Shiori walking into her class as a new transfer student. The scene brings a rare smile onto our MC’s face, because in her eyes, there was finally someone close by who could potentially fulfill her unsung wish for death’s calm embrace. Will her wish be fulfilled, or is this the start of something entirely different?
The tale starts with the depression Hinako Yaotose faces every waking moment, a girl whose joyful family was abruptly torn from her while she alone miraculously survived. As Hinako continues to live, her desire to embrace death grows stronger, culminating in her attempted suicide in the ocean's depths, where she encounters yokai that await humans who choose to end their lives and crosses paths with Shiori, who seems to know her intimately and treats the incident as a promised reunion between two old friends. She may claim to be just another yokai, but she actually belongs to the mermaid family and carries one simple wish: To save our MC from a pointless death and instead turn her into a feast.
Shiori informs her that she will eat her someday, and from then on, we are treated to a myriad of events that slowly but surely reveal one intriguing thing after another, including secrets from the past. The narrative is a slow burn in a good way, decorated with Yuri and depression along the way, but the exploration of depression is what truly astounded me here. It resonates with anyone who has experienced it, expressed in a raw form, because we see Hinako struggle through all that pain, and there's something touchingly real about it. While it does bear similarities to “The Summer Hikaru Died," it is unique in how it focuses more on depression and living for oneself and less on sexual orientation or even finding one’s true self. It also offers a wide range of approaches and solutions to the issues faced by the main duo. It fully explores the horrors that the supernatural premises support.
The characters are the main focal point of the series, starting with Hinako, who seems like a normal person on the surface but ultimately suffers for surviving while her family perished. While some people cope with the loss by living life fully for their lost loved ones as well, family was everything for Hinako, and losing them meant losing herself. It's almost as if her life was never truly hers to begin with. When Shiori enters the fray, she brings with her the promise of death when the time is right, but it all depends on how long she can keep Hinako clinging to life even after she was given life anew. Add to the mix the sheer animosity Hinako feels toward Shiori’s yokai form, rather than the inherent fear ordinary humans show toward the supernatural, and we have a very riveting dynamic. Unknown to Hinako, there is yet another yokai that has been protecting her all this time: Miko Yashiro, a Kitsune. She is the one keeping Hinako’s sanity intact, following a series of events that butchered her yokai spirit to live peacefully among humanity. Regardless, she remains a beacon of light for Hinako, owing to her supernatural protection and her role as a foil in their relationship. Both beings butt heads constantly, but they both share the goal of keeping their human companion sane and alive, leading up to their delicious future meal.
These three girls carry the whole series on their backs, weighed down by their baggage and personalities, alongside their deep relationships with each other. Their dynamics kept me well entertained as well; Shiori is cunning, selfish, and prideful, but she wishes to stay by our MC's side while teasing her as much as possible. Meanwhile, Miko is energetic, silly, and kindhearted, and her cheerful and caring spirit looks out for everyone around her. The remainder of the cast are more like passing thoughts, present and relevant for an episode or two, and then disappearing with no lasting impact.
In the Art and Animation department, Studio Lings did a superb job, despite this being their first independent work, so much so that I’m looking forward to their future work. The animation is fluid and neat, bringing to life some truly memorable moments that will stay with you long after the watch. Hinako sinking into the dark depths of the ocean is masterfully used to symbolize her falling deeper into depression, and the rain effects serve to heighten emotional moments to another level. The show unfolds primarily as a drama, interspersed with occasional action scenes, yet the visuals effectively convey the characters' emotional tension. The artwork exhibits a high level of production value and effectively highlights the central themes, yet it lacks significant impact. Special shoutout to the yokai models, especially Shiori's model from her past, which is designed thoughtfully and possesses an eerie charm that adds impact to each moment.
As for the Music and Sounds department, it is worth noting that Keiji Inai is spearheading the OSTs, aiming to create music that perfectly fits each scene's atmosphere while also considering the feel of the source material. This process is how the subtle emotional effects of this tale truly come to life, giving way to an ambient approach that emphasizes both feelings and realism. I cannot praise the OTSs enough; this department consistently ensures you feel the right emotion at the right moment. The Opening theme is "Nie" by Yoshino, and the Ending theme is "Lily" by Hinako Yaotose (VA: Reina Ueda), of which an alternate version is sung by Shiori Oumi (VA: Yui Ishikawa) for Episode 11 alone. For Episode 4 alone, "Taiyou, Natte Ageyokka? ♡" by Miko Yashiro (VA: Fairouz Ai) serves as the Ending. All these pieces follow the OST's style to evoke the right feelings at exactly the right moment, which deserves applause. Without a doubt, the main trio's Voice Acting is exceptional, with the emotion infused into their lines and the subtleties in their tones truly remarkable.
Overall, “This Monster Wants to Eat Me” is an amazing show despite whatever impressions the title gives you. I strongly recommend this show to individuals grappling with depression or to those who have loved ones experiencing it, as it offers valuable insights into the true nature of the issue and strategies for overcoming it to reclaim a sense of hope. This production is only for those who want emotional depth and complexity, not a relaxing, carefree watch.
