There is currently no confirmation of a sequel to the popular 2018 anime film “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.” The movie was based on a novel of the same name written by Yoru Sumino and published in 2014. While the story was very popular and well-received, the original novel was a standalone work with a definitive ending. There has been no announcement from the publisher or rights holders regarding a follow-up novel or plans to continue the story.
About I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a coming-of-age drama anime film based on the award-winning novel by Yoru Sumino. It was released in Japan in September 2018 and became a major commercial and critical success.
The story follows a high school student who discovers a diary belonging to one of his classmates, Sakura Yamauchi. He learns from the diary that Sakura is suffering from a fatal pancreatic illness and only has a short time left to live. Sakura nicknames her illness “Pancreas” and personifies it as a separate being that she wants to confront.
Over the course of the story, the two students develop a close bond as the boy tries to support Sakura in the time she has remaining. The film explores themes of mortality, relationships, bullying, and living life to the fullest.
Plot
The story begins with the male protagonist finding Sakura’s diary by chance. He reads an entry where she details her terminal illness “Pancreas” and her wish to spend her last days freely doing what she wants.
Initially frustrated by Sakura’s upbeat attitude about her condition, the protagonist eventually agrees to join her quest to “defeat Pancreas.” They share poignant and humorous adventures ranging from skipping school and trying new foods to visiting haunted locales.
As the pair continue to bond, it becomes clear that Sakura sees the protagonist as someone who can accept her impending death without pity. Their bittersweet relationship develops into love but is ultimately cut short as Sakura’s illness progresses.
In the final scenes, Sakura passes away, leaving the protagonist struggling with grief but forever changed by their time together. The film concludes with him tearfully reading the last pages of her diary.
Characters
**Sakura Yamauchi** – The female lead diagnosed with pancreatic illness. She is determined to live her remaining days to the fullest. Her outgoing personality helps her connect with the male protagonist.
**The Protagonist** – Sakura’s classmate who finds her diary. His name is never revealed. He has a logical personality but grows emotionally through his relationship with Sakura.
**Kyoko** – Sakura’s best friend who tries to support her through her illness. She has a protective, motherly nature toward Sakura.
**The Sensei** – Sakura and Protagonist’s cheerful homeroom teacher. She temporarily suspends Sakura for skipping, not knowing her circumstances.
**Sakura’s Mother** – Struggles to accept her daughter’s approaching death. She later resolves to respect Sakura’s independence.
Themes
– **Mortality** – Sakura’s limited time and prognosis is central. Her process of acceptance contrasts with her loved ones’ denial.
– **Individuality** – Sakura defines herself through her choices and outlook, not her illness. She maintains agency over her life.
– **Relationships** – Sakura and Protagonist form a profound bond. Their ability to communicate openly helps them overcome fear and isolation.
– **Bullying** – References made to Sakura being bullied due to hospitalizations. Her illness leaves her vulnerable to mistreatment.
– **Living Boldly** – Sakura is determined to live fully and purposefully, facing her mortality head-on and without regrets. Her lust for life inspires others.
Explanation of the Ending
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas has a poignant and emotional ending that provides closure to the main characters’ relationship. In the final scenes, Sakura’s condition deteriorates rapidly and she eventually dies from her illness, seemingly at peace.
The protagonist processes this devastating loss on his own at first. In the final moments, he reads the last page of her diary where she tells him not to be sad and to remember their time together fondly. She also admits that she fell in love with him over the course of their friendship.
The ending illustrates Sakura’s self-awareness and maturity in facing her mortality. The tone is bittersweet – she dies, but does so fearlessly after sharing an meaningful bond with the protagonist. He gains strength and perspective from her zest for life that will carry with him.
Many viewers found the conclusion moving and resonant while still being realistic about the tragedy of Sakura’s fate. It provides an emotional gut-punch but also a thoughtful exploration of life, death, and human connection.
Analysis of Key Scenes
Several pivotal scenes stand out as highlighting the core themes and relationship in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.
Sakura’s Classroom Collapse
Early on, Sakura suddenly collapses in class and must be taken to the hospital. This alarming scene establishes her precarious health condition. It also begins sowing tension as her illness remains a secret from most classmates.
Pancreas Personification
Sakura whimsically personifies her illness as “Pancreas-kun.” This anthropomorphizing of her disease into its own character injects dark humor and conveys her determination to face mortality head-on.
Sakura’s School Suspension
When punished for skipping, Sakura accepts it gracefully, not revealing her diagnosis. This reveals her selflessness and desire for normalcy, not special treatment.
Star-Gazing Festival Date
The protagonist agrees to secretly meet Sakura on a class trip to watch stars. This romantic moment shows their blossoming connection and willingness to break rules for each other.
Sakura’s Final Hospitalization
In these sorrowful scenes, Sakura says goodbye to family and friends before dying. The protagonist’s raw grief over losing her conveys the depth of their bond.
Audience Reception & Legacy
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas received very positive reviews and feedback after its anime film release. Critics praised its animation and emotional resonance while audiences reacted strongly to the bittersweet story.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 93% critic score and an 82% audience score. Many describe being deeply moved by the thoughtful approach to mortality and grief.
In Japan, the film was a major commercial hit, earning over $20 million at the box office. It won several domestic awards including the Japan Movie Critics Award and Tokyo Anime Award for best film.
The success led to manga and novel sales increasing sharply. An live-action film adaptation was also released in 2019 to positive reviews, indicating the lasting appeal of the story.
While divisive for some, most acknowledge the film’s sensitivity and genuine portrayal of terminal illness. It is considered one of the standout anime works examining loss and emotional bonds.
Possibility of a Sequel
Despite its popularity, a sequel to I Want to Eat Your Pancreas seems very unlikely at this time for several reasons:
– The original novel was a standalone story with a clear ending that provided resolution and closure. There is no existing source material to adapt into a sequel.
– The death of the main character Sakura and the definitive conclusion limit opportunities for logical continuation without compromising the themes.
– The award-winning creative team and studio that made the anime have not indicated plans for or interest in a follow-up film.
– No announcements about a potential sequel have come from the film companies, publishers, or rights holders in over 5 years since its release.
While not impossible, the above factors make it highly improbable that we will see a direct sequel or continuation of the story. The themes and drama seem deliberately suited to a single meaningful narrative.
However, the themes and impact of the story could inspire future spiritual successors or coming-of-age anime films exploring similar ideas. But a precise sequel picking up after the original appears very unlikely.
What Fans Want in a Theoretical Sequel
Though improbable, many passionate fans have expressed hopes of what they would want from a theoretical sequel or continuation:
– More screen time showing Sakura and the protagonist falling in love. Their relationship develops mostly off-screen.
– Exploring the protagonist dealing with grief and the emotional aftermath of Sakura’s death.
– Cameos and updates on beloved side characters like Kyoko and the Sensei.
– Additional history on Sakura’s childhood and hospital experiences that shaped her.
– Meeting Sakura’s father who is referenced but not seen.
– Learning more about the daily struggles and strength of those living with terminal illness.
– Focus on themes like finding meaning after tragedy and celebrating life in the face of mortality.
– Maintaining the heartfelt tone and realism while expanding the story. Avoiding cheesy plot twists.
– Getting official closure on the protagonist’s feelings about if he also fell in love with Sakura.
WhilePure hypothetically compelling, a sequel would risk tainting the self-contained nature that makes the original so powerful. But it reflects fans’ connection to the characters and themes.
Other Media Related to I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
While a film sequel is unlikely, there are other related media titles that expand on the story and themes:
– **Novel** – The original 2014 novel by Yoru Sumino that started it all. Goes into more internal thoughts.
– **Manga** – A multi-volume manga adaptation released from 2015-2017 with expanded story.
– **Live-Action Film** – A 2019 Japanese live-action movie version directed by Shinichiro Ueda.
– **Anime Compilation Film** – A condensed film edit combining footage from the series released in 2019.
– **Spin-Off Novel** – “I Want to Make You Eat My Pancreas” focused on the protagonist’s perspective.
– **Video Game** – A visual novel adaptation game with multiple endings.
So while an anime sequel film probably won’t happen, fans still have plenty of options to revisit the characters and themes through the various spin-off novels, manga, live-action and game versions available.
Conclusion
In summary, a sequel to the acclaimed anime film I Want to Eat Your Pancreas seems highly improbable. The self-contained story, definitive ending, and lack of existing source material present major obstacles. However, the immense popularity of its themes and characters leaves open the possibility for spiritual successors or spin-off titles in other formats which continue to expand on its ideas. For now, fans will likely have to remain satisfied with rewatching the existing anime which so powerfully and touchingly explores life, death, and human bonds in a singular work of art. We may never get to see the characters’ stories continue, but they will live on in the hearts of the many moved by this poignant film.
