Watashi o Tabetai, Hitodenashi Collaborates with Ehime's Largest Firework Festival
One of the most anticipated anime adaptations of this summer, Watashi o Tabetai, Hitodenashi (This Monster Wants to Eat Me), has officially partnered with Iyo Sai Matsuri, the largest firework festival held in Japan's Ehime Prefecture. As part of the event, a special collaboration illustration drawn by anime character designer Sou Ikuyama has been released to the public. The illustration shows the series' main characters Shiori and Hinako in a festival atmosphere with fireworks in the background.
Iyo Sai Matsuri will take place on July 25-26 in the Iyo region of Ehime. The festival hosts the largest firework show in the area and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. This collaboration is particularly meaningful because the story of Watashi o Tabetai, Hitodenashi is also set in Ehime Prefecture. The manga and anime use this coastal town, where supernatural creatures and humans coexist, as its main setting. The festival is expected to give fans of the series a sense of stepping into the places where the story unfolds.
The series is based on the manga of the same name written and illustrated by author Nayuki (苗川采). The manga follows the dark and emotional relationship between Shiori, a man-eating monster, and the young girl Hinako, who agrees to become her prey. With 7 volumes released so far, the series has gained a large fanbase both in Japan and internationally. The anime adaptation is scheduled to air this summer, and the production team has stated that they will stay faithful to the original manga. Character designs are done by Sou Ikuyama, while the music is composed by renowned composer Yuki Kajiura.
Such collaborations are becoming increasingly common in the anime world. Partnerships with local festivals and events contribute to the promotion of the series and revitalize regional tourism. For works set in a specific area, these events offer fans an unforgettable experience. Fans of Watashi o Tabetai, Hitodenashi can also expect surprises during the festival, such as booths selling series-exclusive merchandise and autograph sessions. The anime's release date and festival details will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
