Episodes 1-3 – This Monster Wants to Eat Me

I guess I’ve become ANN’s go-to critic for queer romances with a dash of cannibalism thrown in for good measure. It doesn’t matter. I’ll put on that cape. Of course, it’s easy to compare the two This monster wants to eat me and last season Xia Guang is dead Based on their superficial similarities. Both films tell the story of a depressed young man who befriends a homosexual monster who can’t stop himself from wanting a taste of his new companion. but where Light Plunging headlong into terror, Watanabe (Not to be confused with other yuri series such as Watanare, Wataoshi or Watayuri) unfolds like an underwater drama.

Slow and sad are adjectives for the first three episodes. If you want to enjoy them, you have to be willing to indulge in them. Personally, I agree with its gloominess, but I also understand that it can bore viewers quickly. There is an amateurish quality to the writing and a insistent return to the same themes and images. In the first episode alone, Hinako’s inner narration compares Shiori to the ocean no less than four times. While I appreciate the literary ambition of these descriptions, there’s something to be said about the power of subtlety.

Elsewhere, however, the writing displays more skill and confidence. For example, the show gives us enough background clues to piece together the accident that traumatized Hinako long before the full explanation in episode three. When the premiere juxtaposes the anniversaries of Nako’s hatred of summer and fascination with water, we can already guess when and where she lost her family. The relationship and symbolism are further complicated by the fact that Shiori also comes from the ocean. The sea becomes the embodiment of death and desire. This is what I appreciate about how quiet and patient the narrative can be, as it creates space for the audience to reflect on the unsaid.

Overall, the most attractive thing is that Watanabe For me, it’s the conflicting impulses that bring Hinako and Shiori together. Shiori needs to cure Hinako before he can eat her, and Hinako must first resolve her depression before she can sweetly release Oblivion. The dramatic irony is obvious. The more Shiori makes Ninako happy, the less Ninako wants to be killed by her. I like this feeling of authenticity. Hinako’s frustrating character traits accurately reflect the cyclical nature of depressive thought patterns. By the same token, Shiori’s simplistic approach is the result of her inability to fully understand Hinako’s trauma. This conflict complicates many relationships.

If we go a little deeper, I’m also interested in what the subtext brings. Sex and death are inseparable in the inner workings of the human psyche. Shiori’s desire to eat and Hinako’s desire to be eaten can be explained, at least in part, as sublimations of their colliding desires. We observe this most obviously when Shiori flirtatiously stalks Hinako’s body with her terrifying mermaid claws, as she describes how she peeled off her skin and swallowed her entrails. This is sex. I’m curious to see how vivid this series will become, both physically and viscerally.

An interesting and/or problematic aspect of this setup (depending on your point of view) is that Shiori is actually a predatory lesbian. However, while this isn’t a very good metaphor, I don’t think it’s accurate Watanabeambition. I think this kind of romance is more in line with twilightin which the heroine inexplicably finds herself the target of a supernatural creature who is both lustful and hungry for her, thereby protecting her from other external supernatural threats. This allure of “dangerous” lovers is as old as the concept of romance itself, and for good reason. It appeals to our thrill-seeking whims and puts us in the role of a protagonist who can tame the forces of nature into a suitable companion. To that end, I think Yuri’s version of the story actually avoids the deep-seated gender power dynamics inherent in patriarchal societies. Shiori is still more powerful and dangerous than Hinako, but she doesn’t have as much extra baggage.

Another sticking point I foresee is WatanabeWhat is popular is the anime itself. As an adaptation, all in all, it makes no sense. I don’t think it’s bad, but visually it’s not particularly striking or impactful either, in favor of flat compositions and straightforward imagery. While it still gets the job done, it feels lacking when compared to the slow narrative pace and lofty thematic ambitions. If you would allow me to call you back again. Xia Guang is deadthat’s an anime with limited resources that, through ingenuity and creativity, manages to stand alongside sakuga’s showcase for e.g. city ​​animation and my dress up honey. WatanabeOn the other hand, limited resources give people a sense of limitation. This material certainly doesn’t require or require superb animation, but I can’t help but imagine how much it would benefit from the same patient but more cinematic touch as Demonstrative Days with stepsister adapt.

Nonetheless, I think WatanabeThe anime does a great job of staying true to the melancholic tone of the source material, which is arguably the most important part. Miko is the only presence who can lighten the mood, and between her chronic illness and hidden jealousy, there are already signs that there’s more going on inside her. The sound design and soundtrack also make up for much of the lack of visuals. I’m not very familiar with Keiji Inouchiprevious compositional work, but his chamber music has been a lovely and often beautiful accompaniment to the first three episodes. And the power trio Queen Ueda, Ishikawa Yuiand Fairuz Ai Because our lead is self-evident.

In other words, I like Watanabe! It’s a moody lesbian love story with a sinister edge that shows a lot of promise. Now that we’ve got the broad outlines of its premise, I have a few wishes for it to come true. I would have liked to see Hinako have a proper character arc with lots of ups and downs as she faces her own depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. I wish Shiori had more interiority and dimensionality that was revealed through the friction she had with Hinako. I hope Miko has more going on behind her mask. 2025 is an exceptionally strong year for Yuri anime, Watanabeit has a chance to end with a bang. Or take a bite.

Episode 1 rating:

Episode 2 Rating:

Episode 3 Rating:

This monster wants to eat me Currently live broadcast
crunchy.

Steve is online blue sky For all your posting needs. They recommend a balanced diet. You can also see them talking about trash and treasure online Anime of the week.

Disclosure: Kadokawa World Entertainment (KWE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation and the majority shareholder of Anime News Network, LLC. One or more companies mentioned in this article are part of the Kadokawa Group of Companies.