Anime featuring yokai is far from uncommon, spanning from classics, including “Gegege no Kitarou” to even more modern works such as “Mononoke”. Studio Lings’ latest work joins this lineup by highlighting “Ningyo” or Japanese mermaids. Based on Sai Naekawa’s acclaimed manga, “This Monster Wants to Eat Me” is a GL horror series set in a seaside town.
Watch This Title on Crunchyroll
by clicking on the image below
The story centers around Hinako Yaotose, a high school girl who is living alone after a tragic accident killed her family. The trauma, loneliness, and depression from that event consume her to the point that she starts developing passive suicidal thoughts. While lost in thought one day, she gets attacked by a yokai from the sea. Suddenly, a mermaid named Shiori Oumi comes to the rescue. This mysterious figure then reveals her true intentions to eat Hinako’s flesh. However, not just yet. When Shiori promises to protect her for the time being, Hinako starts thinking that her new classmate might just be the answer to her desire to die.
Despite the heavy premise, this anime subtly discusses coping with depression through the characters’ actions. Hinako expresses her despair in most episodes. Even though she also says she is forced to live, her friends play a role in making her situation better. Miko Yashiro, her best friend since childhood, constantly accompanies her while teaching the protagonist life skills so that she can become independent. Meanwhile, even if Shiori has darker intentions, she encourages Hinako to go on small outings and have fun. As their friendship grows stronger through these experiences, the protagonist starts to move on.
Unfortunately, the GL aspect is overshadowed even though there is focus on bonds. None of the characters explicitly say anything about romance. Instead, they express twisted beliefs on their complex relationships. Viewers have to pick up on subtle hints from actions or dialogue to understand whether or not it’s a representation of love.
The slow progression doesn’t help present the romantic aspect either. Hinako, who is also the narrator, often circles back to the same problem and it can take a few episodes until she stumbles upon a new development. As a result, this can sometimes make the anime feel dull and repetitive.
Aside from the story, The animation by Studio Lings doesn’t particularly stand out, with character movements feeling stiff during some parts. Regardless, the team led by Yusuke Suzuki puts great detail in using visual effects. A notable example is whenever Hinako’s mind starts to spiral, she’s visually underwater, drowning or surrounded by deep-sea creatures. These motifs symbolize her trauma and psychological state.
The yokai in “This Monster Wants to Eat Me” are truly the highlight of this horror. Their disturbing appearances can be credited to Nozomi Ikuyama’s adaptation of Naekawa’s original design. The manga is already disturbing, but the anime takes it a step further by occasionally using 3D animation, which gives a stronger sense of eeriness since they look uncanny within a two-dimensional setting.
Beyond supernatural beings, the girls’ character design represents their personalities. Each of their costumes has a distinct feature reflecting their backgrounds. Hinako is usually quiet and reserved, so she wears long sleeves even in summer. Meanwhile, Shiori and Miko wear signature accessories, such as a hairpin and beaded bracelet, which tie into their true identities.
Overall, “This Monster Wants to Eat Me” is a story about moving on amid loss and survivor’s guilt. The horror is a chilling experience that suits horror fans. However, the GL barely stands out, so it may not be for viewers primarily looking for romance.
