I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Review: A Bittersweet Anime That Will Break Your Heart and Heal It

Rating:

3 / 4 Mochi

Target Audience: Young Adults

Introduction

Critical Review of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas: A Heartfelt Anime Experience

Looking for an emotional anime that blends romance, drama, and life lessons? I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a touching film that follows the journey of a terminally ill girl and her unexpected friendship with a reserved classmate. Based on the bestselling novel by Yoru Sumino, this slice-of-life anime explores themes of life, loss, and human connection.

Despite its macabre title, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2018) is a poignant coming-of-age story that beautifully captures the complexities of relationships. In this review, we will analyze the film's plot, emotional depth, character development, stunning visuals, and evocative soundtrack to determine if this tearjerker anime is worth your time.

Plot Summary: A Secret Illness and an Unlikely Friendship

Set in a modern Japanese high school, the anime follows a reserved boy who discovers a diary belonging to his classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, revealing her terminal illness. Despite their differences, they begin spending time together, leading to a transformative friendship that helps both characters grow emotionally.This anime about illness and friendship carefully balances sorrow with uplifting moments, making it more than just a sad story. While the film contains emotional twists, it avoids spoilers early on, keeping the tension rooted in character dynamics rather than shock value.

Themes and Genre: Exploring Love, Mortality, and Growth

While I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is classified as a romantic drama, it’s not a traditional love story. Instead, it’s a meditation on mortality and the importance of living authentically. It touches on themes such as:

• Mortality: Embracing life in the face of death

• Emotional Isolation: How social withdrawal can be overcome

• Personal Growth: Learning to live fully in the present

• Healing Through Connection: The transformative power of friendship and empathy

The anime stays grounded in realism, making it relatable while offering philosophical reflections that elevate it above typical high school romance stories. Despite its tragic premise, the film is uplifting, often funny, and deeply human.

Character Analysis: Contrasts That Create Connection

Sakura Yamauchi

Sakura is the emotional core of the movie. Despite her terminal illness, she lives with vitality, pushing boundaries and challenging others to open up. She symbolizes life in the face of death, and her influence shapes the film’s emotional direction. Her layered personality prevents her from falling into the manic pixie trope.

The Protagonist (Haruki Shiga)

Unnamed in most of the film, Haruki begins as cold and emotionally distant. As Sakura draws him into her world, he undergoes a subtle but powerful transformation—illustrating the anime trope of the introvert’s awakening. His development reflects the theme of learning to connect with others.

Haruki’s dynamic with Sakura allows him to slowly open up and confront his own fears about connecting with others. When he tells Sakura that he’s concerned for her and doesn’t want her to die, she is enabled to grieve in meaningful connection. Their evolving friendship is natural and impactful, never forced or overly sentimental. 

The difference between pity and meaningful grief: pity is superficial, and misses the nuance of her emotional journey. At the beginning of their relationship, our male protagonist has no emotional investment in Sakura, so she feels free to be open with her feelings, yet there is little meaningful or deep emotional exchange. As he gets to know her and becomes emotionally invested, his grief over her illness is profoundly meaningful to Sakura because he knows the full range of her inner experience. He heard her voice before coming to his own conclusions, and it was hearing her voice that gained a hold on his reclusive heart.

Animation & Sound: Quiet Beauty in Every Frame

Animated by Studio VOLN, the film’s visuals are clean, soft, and emotionally charged. While it doesn't rely on flashy action or effects, its subtle use of color and lighting—especially during key emotional moments—elevates the narrative.

The music by Hiroko Sebu blends piano and string arrangements to create an emotionally rich atmosphere. The ending theme, “Himawari” by Mr. Children, is especially moving and resonates long after the credits roll.

Final Verdict: Is I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Worth Watching?

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a compelling film that will resonate deeply with viewers who appreciate emotional storytelling and character-driven narratives. While it excels in its exploration of themes like friendship, loss, and the fragility of life, it may not appeal to everyone. 

Those who enjoy slow-paced, introspective films and are fans of emotional anime like Your Lie in April or A Silent Voice will likely find this movie to be a rewarding experience.

Pros

• Emotional storytelling without melodrama

• Beautiful soundtrack and voice acting

• Well-written, layered characters

• A balanced mix of humor and heartbreak

• A unique take on the romance genre

Cons

• May be too emotionally heavy for some viewers

• Predictable if you’ve seen similar tearjerkers

• Some might find the pacing slow

FAQs: Common Questions About I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

Is I Want to Eat Your Pancreas based on a true story?

No, it’s based on a fictional novel by Yoru Sumino. However, its emotional realism makes it feel grounded and authentic.

Where can I watch I Want to Eat Your Pancreas anime movie?

You can stream it on platforms like Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV. Availability may vary by region.

Is I Want to Eat Your Pancreas a romance anime?

Yes, but it’s more of a romantic slice of life drama that focuses on emotional intimacy over physical romance.

Why is it called I Want to Eat Your Pancreas?

The title references an old Japanese belief that eating a body part can heal the corresponding organ. It’s symbolic of the desire to connect deeply with another person.