Hello, this is Izumitani from Ehime Film Commission.
Around this time last year, the conversation in Ehime was all about the anime adaptation of Ganbatte Ikimasshoi (Give It All). Anime is one of Japan’s most globally resonant forms of creative content, and Ehime FC actively supports works in this space.
A year on, a new anime series has arrived — and we’re proud to help tell its story.
” This Monster Wants to Eat Me ” (Watashi wo Tabetai, Hitodenashi, known by fans as “Watatabe”) began broadcasting on October 2. In Ehime, it airs on Ehime Asahi Broadcasting starting October 3 at 25:50.
The series is based on the manga by Sai Naekawa, an artist based right here in Ehime. The manga has been serialized in Dengeki Maoh (KADOKAWA) since October 2020 and currently spans ten volumes.
The premise: A mermaid girl named Shiori appears suddenly and takes the hand of Hinako, a young woman living alone in a seaside town. Hinako possesses blood and flesh of rare and extraordinary quality — so alluring that countless supernatural beings are drawn to her. Shiori vows to protect Hinako until she reaches the peak of her potential… at which point Shiori intends to eat her. But in Hinako’s heart stirs a quietly desperate hope: that perhaps this creature is the one who might finally grant her deepest wish.
Yes — the synopsis stopped us in our tracks too.
We first connected with the production team around May, when the series was already complete. The setting is Ehime Prefecture, centered on Iyo City, and we recognized the scenery immediately. That familiarity felt like an opportunity: here was a work that could carry Ehime’s landscapes to audiences who had never heard of the prefecture. We’ve been supporting the production’s promotion since then. Iyo City itself has also been actively involved in local promotional efforts.
Ahead of broadcast, we sat down with creator Sai Naekawa for an exclusive interview. Here’s what she shared:
Q: What inspired you to set the story in Iyo City?
A: I wanted a quiet seaside town on the Seto Inland Sea — somewhere with that calm, gentle atmosphere that felt right for a story about a mermaid. Iyo City fit perfectly.
Q: What themes are at the heart of the work?
A: “Dialogue” and “change.” I hope readers and viewers feel those running through everything.
Q: Do you have a favorite spot in Iyo City — or in Ehime more broadly?
A: Goshikihama Beach in Iyo City, without question. I love going there in the late afternoon, watching the sea as the light changes. It’s my reset button. And for food — the Baby Castella, which appears in the story too! I used to eat them at local summer festivals. And a fun fact: in Ehime, they’re sometimes called “Tokyo Cake” — which is apparently unique to the prefecture!
Q: What’s your daily creative process like?
A: I’m working from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep. I’m currently serializing two manga simultaneously, so my average workday is about 15 hours. As for inspiration — nothing just “comes to me.” I take ordinary experiences — a trip with friends, a karaoke session — and slowly expand on them.
Q: What would you say to young people who want to become manga artists?
A: Start by drawing what you love. I grew up reading shojo manga — especially Ribbon — and practiced by studying the art of Arina Tanemura. Today, with social media, you can share your work with the world immediately. Put it out there and see what comes back.
Q: And finally, a message for fans looking forward to the anime?
A: I honestly never imagined this would become an anime. But the production team brought so much passion to it that I’m genuinely proud of what we’ve created together. I hope everyone enjoys it.
Official website: https://wata-tabe.com/ ©2024 Sai Naekawa / KADOKAWA / Watatabe Production Committee