I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, also known as Let Me Eat Your Pancreas, is a novel by the Japanese writer Yoru Sumino. Initially serialized as a web novel in the user-generated site Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2014, the book was published in print in 2015 by Futabasha. A manga adaptation ran from 2016 to 2017. A live-action film titled Let Me Eat Your Pancreas premiered in 2017, and an anime film adaptation premiered on September 1, 2018.
Plot
The story revolves around an unnamed male protagonist, a high school student who prefers to spend his time reading, and his relationship with his classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, a cheerful and popular girl who is secretly suffering from a terminal illness affecting her pancreas. Their unlikely connection begins when the protagonist discovers Sakura's handwritten journal, titled Living with Dying, in a hospital lobby. The journal details Sakura's thoughts and feelings about her impending death and her desire to live life to the fullest.Despite his initial reluctance, the protagonist is drawn into Sakura's world, and they begin spending time together. They embark on a series of adventures, including a trip to Fukuoka, where they explore local specialties, visit shrines, and share meals. Throughout their time together, Sakura encourages the protagonist to open himself up to others, while they both grapple with the reality of her mortality. As their bond deepens, they share personal secrets and challenge each other's perspectives, with Sakura determined to make the most of her remaining time. Eventually, the protagonist finds himself needing Sakura just as she needs him.
The story takes a tragic turn when Sakura is murdered in an alleyway, becoming a victim of a random killer, leaving the protagonist to deal with his grief and the unanswered questions about their relationship. He is deeply saddened by her death and the abrupt end to their connection. He never attends Sakura's funeral, but eventually musters the courage to visit her parents at her house, where he receives her book, Living with Dying, as per her wishes.
He finds a way to make sense of what he is feeling by seeking out Sakura's best friend, Kyoko, to whom he reveals the truth about Sakura's illness and her journal. In a heartfelt conversation, he shares the contents of Living with Dying, including Sakura's final message to Kyoko and to him, finally telling Kyoko that he too had grown to care for Sakura. The protagonist, Haruki Shiga, ultimately learns that Sakura had come to love him, despite her stated reluctance to form a romantic bond, and that she had also come to recognize his need for connection. He promises to keep her memory alive and to live his life more fully, carrying the lessons he learned from Sakura and their brief but impactful time together.
Characters
The character names listed here are in western order of family name last. The official English language light novel and manga volumes use the Japanese naming order of family name first, while the English subtitles of the anime use the western order.; "Me" / Haruki Shiga
; Sakura Yamauchi
; Kyoko Takimoto
; Takahiro
; "Gum Boy" / Issei Miyata
; Sakura's mother