ANIME EXPO 2018: I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS Anime Adaptation Coming to Theaters by Aniplex

Aniplex of America revealed at their industry panel at Anime Expo 2018 that they will be bringing their anime film I Want to Eat Your Pancreas to theaters in the near future. Based on Yoru Sumino’s award-winning novel of the same name, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas will be produced by Studio VOLN (“Idol Incidents;” “Ushio & Tora”) and directed by Shinichiro Ushijima (“Hunter x Hunter;” “One Punch Man”) with Yuichi Oka (“Eromanga Sensei;” “To-Love Ru”) serving as both character designer and chief animation director. More info after the break.

The two title characters will be voiced by popular actor and 72nd Mainichi Film Awards Best New Actor winner, Mahiro Takasugi, who will voice the unnamed protagonist, “me,” while veteran voice actress, Lynn (“High School Fleet;” “A Place Further Than the Universe”), will lend her talents as the female lead, Sakura Yamauchi. The anime adaption features an impressive voice cast including super star veterans Atsuko Tanaka (“Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works];” “Ghost in the Shell”) and Shin-ichiro Miki (“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood;” “Initial D”), who play the parents of the male protagonist.

Theme song “Fanfare” is by popular rock band, sumika (“Love is Hard for an Otaku”), who will also handle the film’s opening song and insert song. Aniplex of America promised more details to follow soon on the official English website.

Yoru Sumino’s debut novel, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, generated massive popularity after being published by Futabasha Publishers Ltd. The story follows the relationship of two high schoolers, an apathetic and reserved unnamed protagonist and the popular girl in class, Sakura, who suffers from a terminal illness. The novel was later adapted into a live action film by the same name in 2017 starring Takumi Kitamura and Minami Hamabe. In addition to becoming a box office hit, the live action film garnered many Japan Academy Award nominations including Picture of the Year, Best Screenplay, Popularity Award, and Newcomer of the Year award for both lead actors.

Check out the official description of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, courtesy of Aniplex of America

With no interest in others, a high schooler spends all of his time reading books – this is “me.”
One day, I comes across a book, titled “Living With Dying.”

It turns out to be a secret journal kept by Sakura Yamauchi, who is a popular girl in class with a genuine personality. Diagnosed with a pancreatic illness, the diary notes about her limited time left.

Sakura, who lives with a secret illness, and “me,” who keeps her secret.

— Their relationship doesn’t have a name yet.