The anime adaptation of “This Monster Wants to Eat Me” (私を喰べたい、ひとでなし, Watashi o Tabetai, Hito de Nashi) has captivated audiences with its unique blend of supernatural mystery, psychological drama, and tender yuri romance. Episode 12, which premiered on December 18, 2025, marked a pivotal turning point in the series, delivering long-awaited revelations and setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. This installment delved deep into the complex relationship between Hinako and Shiori, forcing both characters to confront painful truths and redefine their intertwined destinies.
The Long-Awaited Confession: Shiori’s True Intentions Revealed
At the heart of Episode 12 is Shiori’s momentous confession to Hinako. The mermaid, who initially promised to devour Hinako once she reached her “most delicious” state, finally unveils the true nature of her decade-long secret. Through a powerful act of yokai magic, Shiori restores Hinako’s fragmented memories of their very first encounter, allowing Hinako to fully grasp the profound origins of their bond.
Shiori reveals that her initial promise to eat Hinako was not born of malice, but rather a desperate attempt to ensure Hinako’s survival. After witnessing Hinako’s kindness and the tragedy that befell her family, Shiori’s core desire became to keep Hinako alive. The ominous vow was a calculated deception, a way to provide Hinako with a reason to live—a future, however grim it sounded—when she herself wished for death. This revelation fundamentally shifts the audience’s understanding of Shiori’s character, portraying her not as a predatory monster, but as a deeply conflicted guardian burdened by a painful secret.
Hinako’s Emotional Turmoil and the Pain of Betrayal
Hinako’s reaction to Shiori’s confession is understandably intense and heartbreaking. After years of clinging to the mermaid’s promise as a pathway to an eventual release from her suffering, the truth shatters her carefully constructed coping mechanism. She cries out to Shiori, pleading with her to leave her alone, feeling the sting of betrayal despite Shiori’s well-intentioned motives.
The episode meticulously explores Hinako’s deep-seated desire to die, a wish that stemmed from the loss of her family. Shiori’s revelation, while meant to protect, inadvertently highlights the profound internal struggle Hinako faces. The mermaid’s desperate plea for Hinako to rediscover her former happiness and smile again is met with Hinako’s raw admission that such a return to her past self feels impossible. Their conversation becomes a poignant exchange of conflicting desires, with Shiori striving for Hinako’s happiness and Hinako grappling with her inability to envision a joyful future.
A Renewed (and More Complex) Promise
In a moment charged with emotional intensity, Shiori attempts to reforge their pact. She makes a new, more profound promise: she will truly eat Hinako, but only when Hinako genuinely wishes to live. This twist transforms the original morbid promise into a powerful symbol of hope and a commitment to Hinako’s recovery. As a sealing of this renewed, albeit still unconventional, vow, Shiori bites Hinako’s lip, leaving a mark that serves as a constant, alluring reminder of their agreement. This act, described as akin to a betrothal in the yokai world, adds a layer of “toxic yuri quotient” to their already complicated dynamic, emphasizing that pain and profound connection are intertwined in their romance.
Miko’s Intervention and Shiori’s Hidden Pain
The episode also features the observant and caring Miko, Hinako’s best friend. Concerned by Hinako’s absence from school, Miko visits her house and quickly discerns the emotional weight of the situation. Noticing the injury on Hinako’s lip and learning of the renewed promise, Miko pulls Shiori aside.
Miko, despite not having intended for her advice to lead to such a dramatic renewal of the eating promise, displays a deep understanding of Shiori’s true motivations. She keenly observes that Shiori, too, is deeply hurt by the situation—a being who desperately wants Hinako to live, yet finds herself bound by a promise to consume her. Miko’s wisdom highlights the shared pain and the profound emotional toll this relationship takes on both Shiori and Hinako, recognizing that Shiori wears her pain “like a badge of honor because it’s something Hinako gave her.”
Setting the Stage for the Finale
Episode 12 effectively serves as the penultimate episode of the first season, building immense anticipation for the finale. The revelations regarding Shiori’s true feelings, Hinako’s struggle with betrayal and her desire to die, and the renewed, complex promise between them have reset the status quo. With only one episode remaining in the 13-episode season, viewers are left to wonder how this intricate narrative will find its resolution, particularly given that the source manga is still ongoing. The focus will undoubtedly be on the continuing journey of Hinako and Shiori, and whether Hinako can truly find a genuine wish to live under Shiori’s unique protection.
