Episode 8 of the recently premiered anime series “This Monster Wants to Eat Me” (Japanese: Watashi o Tabetai, Hito de Nashi) delivers a pivotal turning point, intensifying the complex relationship between protagonist Hinako and the mermaid Shiori, while unearthing dark secrets about the enigmatic Ayame. The episode, which aired in November 2025, sees Hinako confront her own desires for life and death amidst a shocking revelation about her connection to Shiori.
Hinako’s Shifting Desires and Ayame’s True Nature
The episode begins with Hinako following Ayame to a storage area, a seemingly innocuous act that quickly escalates into a life-threatening encounter. As Hinako assists Ayame, she experiences a sense of familiarity, noting Ayame’s resemblance to her own mother. Ayame, in turn, shares a poignant story about losing her own child. However, this tender moment shatters when Hinako discovers a terrifying truth: Ayame is a yokai, revealing a hidden mouth on the back of her head and brandishing an axe.
During this intense confrontation, Hinako’s long-held desire for death is challenged. Faced with immediate peril, she finds herself instinctively running from the axe, demonstrating a surprising will to live despite her previous suicidal ideations. This internal conflict highlights a significant shift in her character, suggesting a growing attachment to life, possibly influenced by her burgeoning relationship with Shiori.
Shiori’s Sacrifice and the Blood Pact
The climax of Episode 8 unfolds as Ayame attacks Hinako. While Hinako manages to avoid a fatal blow, her arm is scratched, leading to a crucial discovery by Ayame: Hinako’s blood contains traces of mermaid blood, specifically Shiori’s. This revelation prompts Shiori to intervene decisively, transforming into her true, monstrous mermaid form to protect Hinako.
The presence of Shiori’s blood in Hinako’s system is unveiled as a strategic, yet deeply personal, act by Shiori. It’s revealed that Shiori mixed her blood with Hinako’s as part of a pact. This act carries a significant consequence: a yokai who has shared blood with a human can no longer find that human appetizing. This twist recontextualizes Shiori’s earlier promise to eventually devour Hinako, suggesting a deeper, protective motive behind her actions and potentially complicating their predetermined “monster and prey” dynamic.
Ayame’s Tragic Backstory and Broader Implications
Beyond the immediate conflict, the episode delves into Ayame’s tragic past, painting her as a complex figure rather than a purely villainous entity. Flashbacks and narrative hints suggest that Ayame was once a human woman who felt suffocated by her family and harbored resentment, particularly towards a stepchild. Her transformation into a murderous yokai followed a fatal accident involving an axe, which, instead of granting her release, condemned her to an undying existence filled with regret. Ayame’s story serves as a cautionary tale, offering a grim parallel to Hinako’s own suicidal thoughts and hinting at the potential repercussions of her desires.
The events of Episode 8 are poised to profoundly impact the series’ future narrative. The discovery of the blood pact fundamentally alters the nature of Hinako and Shiori’s relationship, moving beyond a simple predator-prey dynamic towards something more intertwined and emotionally charged. Hinako must now grapple with the knowledge that Shiori saved her not just to “ripen” her for consumption, but through a binding act that changes Shiori’s ability to eat her. This deepens the mystery surrounding Shiori’s true intentions and sets the stage for a critical confrontation between the two as Hinako seeks answers about Shiori’s actions and her own altered state.
