This Monster Wants to Eat Me
Entry updated 23 March 2026. Tagged: TV.
Japanese animated tv series (2025; original title Watashi o Tabetai, Hito de Nashi; vt Watatabe). Studio Lings. Based on the Manga by Sai Naekawa. Directed by Naoyuki Kuzuya and Yūsuke Suzuki. Written by Mitsutaka Hirota. Voice cast includes Fairouz Ai, Yui Ishikawa and Reina Ueda. Thirteen 24-minute episodes. Colour.
When Hinako Yaotose's (Ueda) was six the rest of her family died in a car accident; thrown clear, she seemed to hear a voice say "Hinako, you must survive." Deeply traumatized and wanting to join her family in death, she does not commit Suicide, believing the words were spoken by her parents. Now a teenager, she is helped by effervescent schoolfriend Miko Yashiro (Ai), who has supported her since the accident. One afternoon a mass of long black hair emerges from the sea, wraps around her leg and drags her in; but she is saved by Shiori Oumi (Ishikawa), a girl with sea-blue eyes briefly met earlier, who voiced concern for her welfare. Shiori transforms into a mermaid and bloodily kills the Monster – Japanese mermaids being formidable, very different from the Western version (Miko, perhaps a hostile witness, later describes her as "grotesque, creepy and disgusting"). Shiori explains to Hinako that she is especially tasty and so attracts the attention of Yokai (see Supernatural Creatures) like the one just dispatched; Shiori admits she wants to eat her too but has the patience to wait until she is at her most delicious (later explaining that Hinako's desire for death makes her smell like a rotting whale carcass). Until then, she will protect her: this gives Hinako some peace of mind as it promises to bring her the death she desires.
Miko is well aware of what Shiori is, being a man-eating kitsune herself, reformed after meeting a monk, and having come to see themself as a local deity (see Gods and Demons). Hinako's parents had prayed at her shrine for a safe journey: their death compelled her to protect their daughter, of whom she's become very fond. Thus, though disliking her, Miko forms a bickering alliance with Shiori: they will both protect their friend from Yokai until Shiori decides to eat her, then the two will battle; though Hinako wants them to be friends after she's devoured. For the viewer, Shiori's insistence that her interests are selfish (comparing herself to a farmer ensuring their livestock is healthy, well fed and safe) becomes increasingly less convincing. Then a Yokai who tries to eat Hinako tastes her blood and comments she must have received blood from Shiori, adding Shiori would thus find her inedible: Hinako feels betrayed (though still wanting death, she had avoided this Yokai's attacks because she'd wanted to die by Shiori's hand) and calls her friend a "monster".
Years ago Shiori had inhabited a cove into which villagers would sometimes throw unwanted children, which she had a taste for. One particularly unappetizing child was allowed to live and, when Shioru decided to leave the area, she gave some of her flesh to make them Immortal. The child felt deserted, called her a "monster" and vowed to kill her, eventually managing to blow her up. Though in shreds, Shioru survived, slowly recuperating over many years: at one point being washed ashore where six-year old Hinako was holidaying. Hinako treated her with kindness and fed her, so Shioru shared some of her blood, which would have some beneficial effects, uttering a little prayer as she did so, which included "Hinako, you must survive", then wiped her memory. The blood saved Hinako in the car accident, but trauma caused it to alter her body, making it attractive to Yokai.
Hinako now ignores Shioru; at Miko's insistence Shioru goes to talk to her, only to find her walking into the sea, as the only thing that had prevented her before had been proven false; Shioru stops her and restores the memory of their first meeting. To dissuade Hinako from trying to take her life again, she pledges to eat her when she's happy once again. And also kisses her. The first season ends with Miko taking the other two on a day's vacation, which has Shiori realize "You're looking after me too." When Shiori asks Hinako if she's had fun, she replies her intention had been to pretend to, to please Miko, but admits "I think maybe I did really have a little fun".
Hinako is self-conscious about the scarring on her body caused by the accident. Shiori and Miko are Shapeshifters who had previously infiltrated human society (as have other Yokai over the years) but find this increasingly difficult: centuries ago there was little or no paperwork required, whilst keeping up with Technological change can be difficult; problems caused by the difference in mortal and Yokai life spans are also touched upon. Miko's bubbly attitude is partially an act to cheer up Hinako, but she is helpful towards other people too; she also provides much of the show's Humour. Shiori pretends to be cold and selfish, but clearly felt something for the child she in effect raised – and having Hinako call her a "monster" like that child hurts her. Because of both partners' insecurities, the increasingly romantic relationship between Hinako and Shiori is deeply unhealthy, but Shiori and Miko (whose interest seems more maternal) accept it being better than the alternative; the growing closeness of the trio is more positive. Miko and Shiori's contact with humanity has changed them (and the other Yokai with whom Hinako had a conversation), making Identity another of this impressive Anime's themes. [SP]
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