I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga Review: A Christian Perspective on Yoru Sumino’s Heartbreaking Manga

In our I Want to Eat Your Pancreas manga review, we will explore Yoru Sumino’s story from a Christian lens.

Synopsis of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas follows Sakura, a popular 17-year-old with a secret—she has a pancreatic illness, and doesn’t have much time left. At the hospital, she runs into one of her classmates—an introverted boy who doesn’t have a friend in the world. She confides in him and they become friends. As the two grow closer, they learn and change—but, time is running out.

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Review of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Sumino

Publication and Background

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a manga based on Yoru Sumino’s light novel of the same name. It was adapted multiple times including into an anime film. However, for the purposes of this review, we are focusing on the manga.

Despite the name, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas—which sounds like a grotesque zombie story in the horror genre—is actually heartwarming and sad.

The official genres are coming of age and drama, but there is a little bit of romance, too—it just doesn’t really go anywhere.

The manga was published in a seinen magazine called Monthly Action, aimed at adult men, which is a bit surprising to me.

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The Title: I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

The title is a little…off-putting. However, it makes sense in context. Sakura, as already mentioned, has a pancreatic illness that is expected to take her life within the next few years.

She’s made aware of a ritual in which those who have an illness in an organ eat that particular organ—it’s theoretically supposed to cure people, but of course it doesn’t.

Regardless, she starts saying “I want to eat your pancreas” to the narrator, and it becomes a reoccurring statement for them. It’s the last thing he ever texts her as mentioned at the very beginning of the story.

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First Impressions on the Manga

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas often appears on lists of sad anime. Personally, I love watching or reading stories that touch your heart, make you think, and leave you a different person at the end of it. As of right now, I’ve only read the manga, but I hope to watch the anime film in the future.

Although I Want to Eat Your Pancreas was a decently entertaining and heartfelt story, it isn’t my favorite sad manga (or anime). I still prefer stories like Orange.

I thought the manga was cute, but it honestly shocked me with some of the content. Personally, I have mixed feelings on the main characters, especially Sakura.

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Characters and Themes in Yoru Sumino’s Manga

The narrator is in high school (around age 17). He’s introverted and prefers books over people, and has never had a friend before Sakura. He goes by many nicknames over the course of the story, but the easiest is Close-Kun, so that’s what I’m going to use.

(Side note: Yoru Sumino purposefully withholds the narrator’s name).

Sakura is fun loving and has a great attitude. Even though she is dying, she isn’t afraid to laugh and enjoy her life. She is friendly and well-liked by her classmates. Though her attitude is fantastic, especially considering what she’s going through, she isn’t perfect.

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Lying: A Concerning Habit in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

Sakura is a free spirit and often dishonest.

Some examples:

• Sakura convinces Close-Kun to go on a train trip with her. He thinks it’s a day trip, but it’s actually longer, and he finds out after they’ve left. They both lie to their parents about what they are doing, and Sakura even manipulates hers. Her lies to her parents leave her best friend in an awkward position as well because Sakura claimed she was with her best friend, Kyoko. It doesn’t seem like Kyoko had any knowledge of this, so when Sakura’s parents called her best friend, she was put on the spot and felt like she needed to fool Sakura’s parents, which she found difficult.
• Sakura hides her health struggles from everyone. Sometimes, she lies to Close-Kun and makes it seem like things are better than they are. She also doesn’t tell anyone other than family and Close-Kun about her illness in the first place, which hurts her best friend after her death. When Sakura is in the hospital, she tells her best friend she got her appendix out, and the hospital promises to help her hide the truth from her other friends.
• Sakura also wants to sneak out of the hospital, and ends up settling for hanging out in the hallway.

From these examples, Sakura is clearly not the only dishonest character, and she is often involved with other people’s dishonesty. She loves life and wants to enjoy it, but she often makes poor decisions.

Biblical Reflections on Dishonesty in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

From a Biblical standpoint, the dishonesty is definitely concerning (Proverbs 12:22). Sakura didn’t need to give all the details about her health to everyone, but she also shouldn’t have lied about why she was in the hospital, and she certainly shouldn’t have lied to her parents. Close-Kun should have been honest, too, and Kyoko shouldn’t have covered for Sakura.

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Is I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Clean?

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is not really a romance. The manga never becomes explicit and characters do not have intercourse with one another; however, there are some events that may make you uncomfortable. These situations are unnecessary and push boundaries.

Comparing the Age of Consent in Japan Versus The United States

I need to preface that the main characters are about 17 years of age. In Japan, the age of consent is 16 as of 2023; prior to that, it was 13. This manga came out well before the age of consent was changed, so from a cultural standpoint, these events correspond to Japan’s laws. However, in the United States, the age of consent is 18, and from a Biblical standpoint, sex is a sin outside of marriage. Even though they don’t have intercourse, I still believe they push the boundaries.

Sexual Content in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga: The Train Trip and Chapter 5

Sakura and Close-Kun stay at a hotel during their train trip. According to Sakura, there was some sort of issue with the rooming situation, and they will have to sleep in the same room—a room with one bed. At first, Close-Kun insists that he will find a different hotel to stay at, but Sakura reminds him that he doesn’t have any money and refuses to lend him any.

Then, he says he will sleep on the couch, but later, she dares him to carry her to the bed, which he does (she’s drunk). Then she dares him to sleep in the bed with her, and he does. Nothing truly happens, but she clearly wants to sleep in the same bed with him which is pushing boundaries in my opinion. It’s also unwise because it’s a situation that invites temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Later, in Chapter 5, Sakura basically pins him to the wall in her bedroom and speaks very suggestively about things she “shouldn’t do” with someone she isn’t dating. It’s highly suggestive, but she then claims it was a joke. However, Close-Kun gets angry and ends up pinning her onto the bed and getting on top of her in a sexual position. Both are clothed and nothing happens, but it’s very uncomfortable, and leaves Sakura in tears. They later make up.

Sakura’s shorts are pretty short, and in one panel, they are emphasized. It’s not a panty shot because she is wearing shorts, but it’s still uncomfortable. She also takes a bath but no sensitive areas are shown.

The content is suggestive, but not explicit.

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Underaged Drinking in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga

In the manga, underaged drinking and drunkenness occur.

The legal age for drinking in Japan is 20, and Sakura is 17.

The underaged drinking and drunkenness in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is definitely a content concern. It’s illegal for one, and it’s also a Biblical concern (Ephesians 5:18).

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Friendship: Iron Sharpening Iron

Sakura (an extrovert) and Close-Kun (an introvert) both learn to grow outside of themselves and find benefits in their friendship even though they are “polar opposites.”

Close-Kun is extremely introverted and prefers books over people. He actually doesn’t have any friends at all at the beginning. After he interacts with Sakura, he gains a friend, though he is initially hesitant.

However, by the end, Close-Kun has started to realize the value in others and even chooses to people watch over reading his book. Sakura has a positive effect on him, helping him grow relationally and even learn to truly laugh.

It’s really cool to see his growth from someone who isolates himself from others to someone who sees the value in befriending others.

Sakura learns from her introverted best friend, too. She’s the kind of person who “needs to see myself reflected by the people around me” (373). Sakura admired how Close-Kun “[was] just yourself, without needing anyone to define you or be around you. I wanted to be like that, too” (378).

Both the introvert and extrovert learned things from one another, which is a beautiful lesson. Neither personality type is better than the other; they both have their strengths and weaknesses, and both grow and learn from each other.

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My Thoughts on the Ending *Major Spoiler Alert*

I’ll admit, I was not expecting a plot twist in this particular story. From the first pages of the story, we knew Sakura died—the story starts after her death before jumping back in time.

Sakura knows her illness will kill her, and that’s what we all expect to happen.

However, that’s not what happened, and that’s why the ending is rather shocking. I want to applaud Yoru Sumino for catching me off guard.

Near the beginning of the story, the characters mention a murder, but the prevalence of it eventually fades away. On her way to meet Close-Kun after a prolonged hospital stay, someone murders Sakura. Her pancreas doesn’t kill her—a murderer does.

Although Yoru Sumino technically foreshadowed Sakura’s murder, it still caught me off guard.

Numbering Our Days: Sakura’s Surprising Reflection

The unexpected nature of her death also plays into something Sakura said near the beginning of the story when Close-Kun asks her if she really wants to spend the time she has left as a library aid. She mentions that, though Close-Kun probably has things he wants to do before death, he isn’t doing them, even though either of them could die at any time.

Her response is profound, and echoes Biblical truth. Psalm 90:12 (ESV) says

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

And, James 4:14 (ESV) says:

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

We need to live intentionally each day because we do not know how much longer we have on Earth. Though the way Sakura chooses to live is contrary to how we are called to live as Christians, it serves as a great reminder that each day is important. Especially with how the world currently is and how fast things are changing, we never know what could happen, which is why we need to live with purpose and with Christ as our anchor.

*Spoiler Alert* Additionally, the ending shows us Close-Kun, who is now revealed as Haruki Shiga, making an effort to befriend Kyoko, Sakura’s best friend. Considering he wanted nothing to do with people at the beginning of the story, it leaves us with a reminder that we can all grow and change.

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FAQs for I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

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Conclusion: Final Thoughts on I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a heartwarming and easy to read manga. It’s sad, but leaves us with a hopeful ending.

While I Want to Eat Your Pancreas presents a story of friendship and living life to the fullest, ultimate hope and redemption come only through Christ, who brings eternal purpose and healing for our hearts.

The content concerns are relatively mild. The main issues are suggestive situations, underaged drinking, and some cultural/religious elements that differ from Christian values.

Do I recommend it? For strong believers who don’t feel convicted about it, then perhaps it would make a good read with discernment, especially if you skip the suggestive situations.

Always use discernment when navigating media and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and conviction.

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I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga Review: Christian Content Guide

Sex and Nudity in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga

• A character wears short shorts. Sometimes, the panels in the manga emphasize these short shorts. The manga portrays school uniforms with short skirts. Additionally, a female character wears short shorts as pajama bottoms.
• Characters talk about breakups, dating and falling in love.
• A female character makes suggestive comments to a male character about lovers.
• A male character confesses his feelings to a female character.
• A female character offers her bed to a male character for napping.
• A female character asks a male character if he wants to date her.

Sex and Nudity During the Train Trip

• At the hotel: A female character finds out there’s an issue with the hotel, and she will have to share a room and a bed with her male friend. This seems like a mistake, (but it’s possible she planned it, though this is unconfirmed). The male character wants to get another hotel but the female character discourages him from doing so. The female character finds it “exciting” to sleep in a bed with someone she is not dating.
• At the hotel, the female main character goes to take a bath. She takes off her clothes—we see her legs as she takes off her pants but nothing sensitive is shown. She asks the male main character to bring her something. It’s not entirely clear if he sees her, but he tries to be respectful of her privacy. We see her naked from the chest up. Her breasts are covered, and it’s not explicit. She feels the need to remind him of her nakedness.
• At the hotel, the male character takes a shower; you see his legs, but nothing else is visible.
• At the hotel, the female character sits in a relaxed position and it shows lots of her legs. She is still wearing shorts, but the position is somewhat sexual.
• At the hotel, characters play truth or dare and talk about the cuteness of classmates.
• At the hotel, a female character mentions bra size and is willing to share hers.
• At the hotel, a female character is positioned in a way that emphasizes her shorts/butt. It’s covered, but it’s provocative.
• At the hotel, the female character dares the male character to carry her to bed. He does (she’s drunk). She ends up daring him to sleep in her bed, so he does. However, nothing happens; the male character comments that the two of them “were pure…and innocent” (155).

Sexual Content in Chapter 5 of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga

• In Ch 5, a female character basically pins her male best friend to the wall; she acts sexual and talks about what she wants to do with a guy. It’s highly suggestive. However, she then says she was joking. However, the male character grabs her and pins her down on the bed and is on top of her. They are clothed. She tears up and he leaves. It’s very uncomfortable.
• A female character gives her male friend some clothes to put on after a shower.
• A male character enters a female character’s hospital room without knocking. She freaks out and talks about dying of embarrassment…however, she had clothes on.
• A female character reminds her male best friend to return the clothes she lent him (owned by her brother). She does it in front of her overprotective best friend and likely tried to make a scene.
• A male character and a female character hug on multiple occasions. On one, she mentions her “measurements” and that her breasts were touching him.
  

Language in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga

• Fool/foolish a few times
• Heck x3
• Sucks
• “Shut up dummy.”
• “Silence fool.”
• Meanie
• H*ll
• “Just some depressing unfriendly guy.”
• “Stupid make up classes.”
• “Don’t be stupid.”
• Dummy
  

Violence and Gore/Frightening and Intense Scenes

• Joke about committing su*cide. 
• Murder and stabbing occur.
• Mention of death/threatening to kill someone.
• A customer gets angry at a waitress.
• Characters sometimes have a creepy/macabre appearance.
• A character hits someone, causing him to bleed.
• Characters slap one another; threatening also occurs.

Substance Abuse in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Manga

• Underaged drinking/drunkenness occur.
  

Spiritual

• A character (Sakura) says she wants to eat Close-Kun’s pancreas, mentioning how people used to consume the organs of animals that matched the human’s sick organ in hopes that it would heal them.
• Mention of “ritual cannibalism.”
• “Good luck.”
• “god of academics” (I am using lowercase purposefully).
• Praying at a temple to tell “the god there” things.
• Characters get fortunes.
• Mention of fate/coincidence.
• A character learns magic tricks.
• Comment about cards making a decision (for who goes first in a game).
• Mention of devil.
• “Cross my heart”
• A character burns incense and does cultural/religious rituals.
• Characters do rituals at a friend’s grave.
  

Photo credit: I Want to Eat Your Pancreas inspired image made on Canva.