I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

"I Want to Eat Your Pancreas" tells the story of a reserved, unnamed high school boy who prefers the company of books to people. His solitary world is turned upside down when he stumbles upon a diary titled "Living with Dying" and discovers it belongs to his popular and vivacious classmate, Sakura Yamauchi. The diary reveals a secret she has told no one else at school: she is suffering from a terminal pancreatic illness and has only a limited time left to live.

Drawn to his unfazed reaction, Sakura decides to spend her remaining days with him, pulling him into her whirlwind of bucket-list adventures and challenging his isolated perspective on life. As their unlikely friendship blossoms, they navigate the complexities of life, death, and what it truly means to connect with another person. The film explores their deepening bond, built on a shared secret and a mutual desire to understand the meaning of existence, all while grappling with the impending reality of Sakura's mortality.

The central message of "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas" is a profound celebration of life and the significance of human connection in the face of mortality. The film posits that to live is to form bonds with others; our relationships and shared experiences are what give life meaning and define who we are. It challenges the audience to appreciate the present moment and find joy in everyday interactions, suggesting that life's value is not determined by its length but by the depth of its connections. The narrative ultimately argues that death is an indiscriminate and often random event, reinforcing the urgency of living authentically and cherishing the people who come into our lives, as they are the ones who shape our existence.

While the central interpretation of the film is a story about celebrating life through connection, some viewers and critics have offered alternative readings. One perspective is that the film is a critique of the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" trope. Sakura's character, who exists primarily to pull the brooding male protagonist out of his shell, could be seen as fitting this stereotype. However, this is often countered by the argument that the story is told from Haruki's perspective, and her character is given depth through her own fears and motivations revealed in her diary, suggesting a mutually transformative relationship rather than a one-sided one.

Another point of discussion is the controversial ending. Sakura's sudden, random murder, rather than her succumbing to her illness, has been interpreted in different ways. The intended interpretation is that it reinforces the theme that death is arbitrary and unpredictable for everyone, not just the terminally ill. However, some critics argue this twist feels like a cheap emotional shock that trivializes her struggle with her illness and undermines the central premise of her "living with dying." This alternative view suggests the ending detracted from the narrative's emotional core by shifting the focus away from the intimate journey of her illness to a random, external act of violence.

Upon its release, "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas" was met with positive reviews from critics and audiences, both in Japan and internationally, who praised its heartfelt story, emotional depth, and poignant message about life. The film was often compared to other popular tearjerkers like "Your Lie in April" and "A Silent Voice," as well as Western films like "The Fault in Our Stars," for its handling of themes of youth, illness, and romance. The shockingly unconventional title drew significant attention, initially causing confusion but ultimately becoming a memorable and meaningful part of the film's identity.

The film, along with the novel and live-action adaptation, contributed to a wave of 'sekai-kei' (world-type) stories in Japanese pop culture that focus on a relationship's impact on a character's personal world, often against a backdrop of life-or-death stakes. It resonated deeply with audiences for its realistic portrayal of teenage social dynamics and its profound, philosophical take on living and dying. The story's success across multiple media formats solidified its place as a significant coming-of-age story in modern Japanese fiction. The movie received nominations at several international film festivals, including the Sitges Film Festival, and won the Audience Award at the Scotland Loves Anime festival.

Audiences generally responded very positively to "I Want to Eat Your Pancreas," often describing it as a beautiful, touching, and emotionally powerful film. Many praised the compelling and heartfelt story, the development of the relationship between the two main characters, and the film's poignant message about life and friendship. It is widely regarded as a "certified tear-jerker," successfully moving viewers to tears with its emotional weight and heartbreaking conclusion. The animation by Studio VOLN was also frequently complimented for its beautiful backgrounds and use of a vibrant, pastel color palette, particularly the stunning fireworks scene.

The main point of criticism for some viewers was that the film could be heavy-handed and melodramatic in its delivery. Some found the dialogue too on-the-nose, which made certain emotional moments feel forced. The most controversial aspect was the plot twist surrounding Sakura's death. While many found it to be a shocking and effective reinforcement of the film's themes, a portion of the audience felt it was an unnecessary and frustrating deviation that undermined the emotional core of her battle with her illness.