Just in time for spooky season, a new supernatural series hits the fall anime airwaves.
Hinako lives alone by the sea, quietly drifting through life after losing her family years ago. One day, a mermaid named Shiori saves her from a monster and says she’s come to eat her—just not yet. Until then, Shiori will stay by her side and keep her safe. In that moment, a deep hope swells in Hinako: Maybe this girl can finally grant her the ending she’s been waiting for.
Summertime was hot with The Summer Hikaru Died, and I’m now falling right into This Monster Wants to Eat Me. A supernatural yuri filled with ocean metaphors? I’ve never signed up faster.
The animation is nothing short of stunning. Vast, gorgeous landscapes that heighten and contradict the eerie melancholy immerse the viewer further onto the small island, and the haunting, yet enchanting work of the phenomenal voice actors create a world that’s hard to look away from. Hinako’s struggles are palpable, and here in the first two episodes, it’s clear the team has produced something beautiful.
There’s a perfect dichotomy between Shiori and Hinako, and the adding bubbly Miko into the mix creates a perfect blend of characters and enough tension to keep my attention tightly bound. Shiori is hypnotizing, everything about her design draws the viewer in just as Hinako is, and again, this only aids in the immersion for the viewer.
After the first episode, I was already ready for more, and this will certainly be making my mandatory weekly watch list. Everything from the storytelling, animation, music, and voice work is exceptional. The pacing is perfect, and I cannot wait to see how Shiori and Hinako’s relationship evolves and the changes that overcome the two because of it.
Please note, the series does have mentions of suicide, so please tune-in carefully.
This Monster Wants to Eat Me premieres Thursday, October 2 on Crunchyroll, with new episodes premiering every Thursday. STUDIO LINGS animates the Yusuke Suzuki-directed series, with chief director Naoyuki Kuzuya.
