Close Menu
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • โค๏ธ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERSโœ๏ธ
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • ๐Ÿ“ฐ PRESS ๐Ÿ“บ
    • THE SOBEES ๐Ÿ
    • CONTACT ๐Ÿ“ง
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS ๐Ÿบ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES ๐Ÿพ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS ๐Ÿธ
    • READY TO DRINK ๐Ÿฅค
    • BEHIND THE BAR ๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉ
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ
    • MENTAL HEALTH ๐Ÿง 
    • RELATIONSHIPS ๐ŸคŸ๐Ÿฝ
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT โ‰๏ธ
    • COMING OUT SOBER ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ
    • ๐Ÿ† CONTENT
    • โœ‚๏ธCURATED CRAFTS๐ŸŽจ
    • FASHION ๐Ÿ‘ 
    • SHOP ๐Ÿ›’
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT ๐Ÿ”ฆ
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION ๐Ÿ’ป
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT ๐Ÿ“š
    • MOVIE REVIEWS ๐Ÿฟ
    • MUSIC ๐ŸŽถ
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST ๐ŸŽง
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS ๐Ÿ“บ
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! ๐Ÿงณ
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO ๐Ÿ”ฎ
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW ๐Ÿง˜๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • โค๏ธ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERSโœ๏ธ
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • ๐Ÿ“ฐ PRESS ๐Ÿ“บ
    • THE SOBEES ๐Ÿ
    • CONTACT ๐Ÿ“ง
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS ๐Ÿบ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES ๐Ÿพ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS ๐Ÿธ
    • READY TO DRINK ๐Ÿฅค
    • BEHIND THE BAR ๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉ
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ
    • MENTAL HEALTH ๐Ÿง 
    • RELATIONSHIPS ๐ŸคŸ๐Ÿฝ
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT โ‰๏ธ
    • COMING OUT SOBER ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ
    • ๐Ÿ† CONTENT
    • โœ‚๏ธCURATED CRAFTS๐ŸŽจ
    • FASHION ๐Ÿ‘ 
    • SHOP ๐Ÿ›’
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT ๐Ÿ”ฆ
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION ๐Ÿ’ป
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT ๐Ÿ“š
    • MOVIE REVIEWS ๐Ÿฟ
    • MUSIC ๐ŸŽถ
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST ๐ŸŽง
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS ๐Ÿ“บ
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! ๐Ÿงณ
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO ๐Ÿ”ฎ
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW ๐Ÿง˜๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
Home - I Want to Eat Your Pancreas: A Reflection on Life, Death, and the Beauty of Change
MOVIE NIGHT

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas: A Reflection on Life, Death, and the Beauty of Change

Alexandra NymanBy Alexandra NymanMarch 2, 20255 Mins Read
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas movie review The Sober Curator
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

At first glance, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is an odd title for a film, and it might give the wrong impression to those unfamiliar with Japanese culture. Yet, beneath the quirky title lies a profoundly moving meditation on life, death, and the relationships that leave a lasting impact on our hearts. Based on Yoru Suminoโ€™s novel of the same name, the film follows a reserved, emotionally distant high school boy who discovers the diary of his terminally ill classmate, Sakura. As she faces the reality that she is dying of pancreatic disease, Sakura pushes against the protagonist’s efforts to live a life of seclusion, pulling him into a friendship that will transform them both.

Sakura radiates joy despite knowing her days are numbered. She refuses to let her illness define her, instead choosing to live in the present and cherish every moment. Her perspective is a stark contrast to the protagonist’s, a withdrawn bookworm who keeps the world at an armโ€™s length. As their friendship deepens, the boyโ€”who never cared much for human connectionโ€”begins to understand what it means to truly live.

Grief and Its Impact on Mental Health

Grief is an ever-present undercurrent in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. From the opening scene, the film makes it clear that Sakura will die before the end of the movie. But instead of focusing on the immediate tragedy of her illness, the story asks a deeper question: How do we live?

The protagonist undergoes an emotional transformation that mirrors the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually, acceptance. But whatโ€™s unique here is that he begins grieving before Sakura is gone. He resists his emotions, afraid of the pain that love inevitably brings.

This is an emotion I understand quite well. The fear of losing the person puts you in this paralyzed state of being. Where you love the person, and yet, they will die. So, to protect yourself, you try to isolate and build a wall around yourself. I thought that if I kept them in my life but didn’t let them in too much, their death wouldn’t hurt me as much, right? Right..? But when they pass, you are filled with regret for all the time wasted trying to keep that person away while you desperately tried to protect your heart.

This is especially relevant in the context of mental health and recovery. Many people living with substance use or trauma have built their emotional walls, distancing themselves from love and vulnerability as a way to avoid pain. Sobriety often forces people to confront the emotions we often spent years trying not to face because feeling those feelings full-on is terrifying. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas offers a lesson in surrenderโ€”allowing oneself to feel deeply, even when it hurts. Because even feeling and holding onto that pain can provide you with growth and healing.

Dying to Find Life: A Metaphor for Sobriety

Sakuraโ€™s journey is a poignant metaphor for the rebirth that often comes with recovery. She knows she is dying, yet she refuses to exist merelyโ€”she wants to experience everything, from friendship to adventure to heartbreak. Her illness, though tragic, becomes a catalyst for transformation.

For those in recovery, this theme resonates deeply. Addiction can feel like a slow death, a numbing of existence. But choosing sobriety is choosing to live. Itโ€™s about rediscovering joy in the everyday, just as Sakura does.

The protagonistโ€™s transformation reflects the path many take in recovery. He begins the film detached from the world, unwilling to engage. But through his relationship with Sakura, he learns that life is not meant to be observed from the sidelinesโ€”it is meant to be lived, fully and unapologetically.

Resilience in the Face of Illness and Loss

Sakuraโ€™s greatest gift is not her strength in facing death but her ability to live without fear. She doesn’t waste time dwelling on what she can’t change and the life she cannot live. Instead, she finds meaning in small momentsโ€”eating sweets, watching fireworks, having deep conversations.

This perspective is essential for anyone facing adversity, whether itโ€™s illness, loss, or the challenges of addiction. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas teaches us that life is fleeting, but it is also incredibly precious. The past cannot be changed, and the future is uncertain, but the present is ours to shape.

Final Thoughts: A Film That Stays With You

Much like Your Name or A Silent Voice, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is an emotional powerhouse that lingers long after the credits roll. Its animation, music, and voice performances bring an extra layer of beauty to an already compelling story.

But beyond its technical merits, what makes this film unforgettable is its message:

  • Life is meant to be lived, not just survived.
  • Grief and love are intertwined, and both are necessary for growth.
  • Sobriety and recovery are not just about avoiding deathโ€”they are about embracing life.

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a rare film that reminds us why we fight for connection, endure heartbreak, and keep moving forward, no matter how painful the journey. Itโ€™s a story for anyone who has ever felt lost, struggled to open up, or chosen to live even in the face of darkness.

It will break your heart (trust me, I cried three or four times during this movie), but it will also remind you why your heart beats in the first place. I give the film 5/5 Sobees.

Movie Night with The Sober Curator Sobees Score: 5 out of 5

The Sober Curator Sobees Movie Night 5

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas – Trailer


sober entertainment with the sober curator

Welcome to The Sober Curatorโ€™s ultimate hub for SOBER ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS โ€”a vibrant space where living alcohol-free is anything but boring.

In the TSC Library, explore book reviews across three standout genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and even NA Recipe Book reviews.

On-screen? The Mindful Binge TV series reviews, Movie Night movie reviews, and Recovery Podcastland + Network podcast roundups all use our signature Sobees Scoring System, so you know exactly whatโ€™s worth your time.

More ways to get inspired:

  • ๐ŸŽต Music: Discover tunes to motivate your sober lifestyle
  • ๐Ÿ… Sober Sports: Stay in the loop on active, exciting events
  • ๐Ÿ“… Sober Events: Find alcohol-free happenings in your community
  • ๐ŸŒŸ Sober Pop Culture & Celebrities: Get the latest buzz on sober stars and trends

From binge-worthy shows to canโ€™t-miss events, this is your go-to destination for entertainment that fits your alcohol-free life.


recovery resources

Sometimes life gets really shitty. Resources are available. Please use them if you need them.

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

If your life or someone else’s is in imminent danger, please call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call:ย 988.

follow the sober curator on pinterest

Follow The Sober Curator on Pinterest

i want to eat your pancreas
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Alexandra Nyman
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Alexandra Nyman is a fashion designer, marketing professional, and the founder of the Break Free Foundation. When she is not screaming at the top of her lungs, advocating for change, she can be found taking a million pictures of her cat and playing way too much Animal Crossing.

Related Posts

Finding Humanity in the Opioid Crisis: Do No Harm and Brother on Independent Lens

Finding Humanity in the Opioid Crisis: Do No Harm and Brother on Independent Lens

October 23, 2025
The Tiger by Gucci Demi Moore

The Substance โ€” But Make It Gucci

October 19, 2025
aka Charlie Sheen Documentary

Charlie Sheenโ€™s Documentary Exposes a Man Still Chasing His Addictionsย 

October 15, 2025
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top AF Sober Travel Companies USA Today
Sober City Mobile App
SOBERSCRIBE AND GET ON THE LIST!
7 events found.
  • Week of October 27
  • Previous week
  • Next week
Notice
No events scheduled for October 27, 2025.
7:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Elliott Bay Books Seattle
$28.00
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision 309 Social Club 309 East 49th Street @ 2nd Ave, New York
$15.00
Notice
No events scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Notice
No events scheduled for October 30, 2025.
7:00 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents:  HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

The Manhattan Mirage 265 W. 37th Street at 8th Avenueย , New York City
See website
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

1009 West 13th Street Vancouver, WA 98660 1009 West 13th Street, Vancouver
Free
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 โ€“ $4995
7:00 am
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)

Falcon Stadium 4900 Stadium Boulevard, Air Force Academy
See website
All Day
Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures
November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

$1999
Capetown, South Africa
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

$4700
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 โ€“ $4995

Week of Events

Mon 27
Tue 28
Wed 29
Thu 30
Fri 31
Sat 1
Sun 2
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats If youโ€™re in recoveryโ€”whether newly sober or years into your journeyโ€”and ready to reconnect with your purpose, build meaningful connections,

$3445 โ€“ $4995
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai Join us for a rejuvenating week-long yoga retreat near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area

$1999
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa

November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa Luxury reset, sightseeing, sobriety and safari in South Africa.

$4700
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson Wellness writer Suzanne Warye discussesย The Sober Shift: A Modern-Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life, alongside life and sobriety coach Casey McGuire Davidson.

$28.00
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision Halloween Fright Night Get ready for a spooktacular evening at 309 Social Club! Join us for Halloween Fright Night, a special movie night guaranteed to bring the chills and

$15.00
October 31, 2025 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N. TICKETS:ย  OCTOBER: $30 DAY OF/AT THE DOOR: $40ย  โ€‹ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, 2025 Mark your calendars for aย night

See website
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe Get ready to rock your favorite costume and sing your heart out at our Soberoke Costume Party - a night

Free
November 1, 2025 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)

See website
View Calendar
The Sober Curator
Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok YouTube Pinterest
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • LINKS DISCLAIMER
  • EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • REFUND POLICY
  • DON’T SELL MY INFO
  • DATA SUBJECT REQUEST FORM
  • CONTACT US
© 2025 The Sober Curator - Benefits of a Alcohol Free Lifestyle

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.