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Episode 8 is a deeply memorable one, and it also highlights the appeal of Ayame, a character who debuts during the training camp arc. In this review, I’ll revisit Episode 8 from a Japanese perspective, including what makes Ayame so compelling. Be sure not to miss the special ending sequence featured in this episode.
This Monster Wants to Eat Me Episode 8 review
In the previous episode, Shiori pulled Hinako out of the room by saying she still had manager duties, protecting her from having to bathe with others because of her burn scars. Miko asks Shiori whether she acted that way because she already knew about Hinako’s injuries. Shiori avoids the question, but Miko sees through her. Miko also reveals that Hinako’s injuries from the accident were so severe that it was miraculous she survived at all.
Meanwhile, Ayame asks Hinako to help her in the storage shed, claiming she forgot to prepare breakfast for the next morning. Once they are inside, Ayame transforms into her yokai form. Sensing the sudden appearance of a yokai aura, Miko and Shiori rush to find Hinako. Ayame was originally human but has since turned into a yokai. As long as she keeps the mouth on her head closed, she can hide her true nature. Because of this, she normally refrains from eating humans—but Hinako is irresistibly delicious to any yokai, and Ayame can no longer fight the urge to hunt her.
Hinako runs outside to escape but is soon caught by Ayame. When Ayame swings an axe at her, Hinako—despite wishing for death for so long—briefly thinks of Shiori and instinctively dodges the blow. Ayame licks the blood dripping from Hinako’s wounded arm and asks if Hinako received blood from a mermaid. At that moment, Shiori arrives. Seeing Hinako injured, Shiori loses her composure, transforms into her mermaid yokai form, and devours Ayame. Hinako stands witness to Shiori’s true appearance.
Thoughts & Analysis
A yokai with a second mouth on the back of the head is based on Futakuchi-onna, the “two-mouthed woman,” a real figure in Japanese folklore. Episode 8 features a special ending sequence centered around Ayame.
Here is one of the well-known legends associated with this yokai:
A man remarried a woman who treated his daughter from his first marriage cruelly, giving her barely any food. The girl eventually died of starvation. Forty-nine days later, while the husband was chopping wood, he accidentally swung his axe into the back of his new wife’s head. The wound slowly transformed—splitting open into a mouth-like shape, the exposed bone forming teeth, and bits of flesh moving like a tongue. This “second mouth” throbbed painfully at certain times of day, and the pain eased only when fed. One day, a faint voice came from the mouth, confessing regret: “I killed the first wife’s daughter out of selfish misunderstanding. It was an unforgivable mistake.”
This tale originates from a story collection written in the Edo period, roughly 180 years ago.
The flower meaning of ayame (iris) includes “good news,” “hope,” and “wisdom.” Episode 8’s storyline is adapted from Volume 5 of the manga, which also features an extra chapter about Ayame’s past. Reading manga Vol. 5 gives even deeper insight into her character.
One of the strengths of This Monster Wants to Eat Me is how the anime uses its ending sequences. Not only do we get special endings like Ayame’s in Episode 8, but some episodes weave the ending song directly into the final scene. The ED is used brilliantly throughout the series. Personally, I’m hoping that in the final episode, Shiori might even sing the ending theme alongside someone.
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