Contrary to its title (no, it’s not some strange story about cannibalism), I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a beautiful and moving exploration of what it means to truly live, told through the perspective of an emotionally distant boy whose life is changed by a terminally ill girl. While director Shin’ichirō Ushijima’s film adaptation of Yoru Sumino’s web novel could have been a bit more subtle in its delivery, the strength of its heartwarming central relationship and the satisfying way in which it all concludes makes for a powerful coming-of-age story that celebrates life in the face of death.
Sakura, a teenage girl suffering from a pancreatic disease, befriends a boy from her school after he discovers she’s ill, which she has kept secret from her close friends. The boy, whose name is purposefully kept a mystery for the majority of the film, is withdrawn at school, avoiding relationships with anyone outside his family. While its “sick girl helps emotionally-distant boy see the beauty in life” premise isn’t the most original concept (see Your Lie in April), I Want to Eat Your Pancreas makes excellent use of it as a springboard for significant character growth. Additionally, the lifeless personality of the male lead serves as a fantastic foil to Sakura, who, despite her circumstances, is full of life.
Source: IGN.com I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Review