Haruki Shiga is a plain-looking high school student, often described as having a listless expression by his classmates. His jet-black hair is unstyled, growing naturally, which complements his overall simple and unremarkable appearance. This understated look reflects his introverted and reserved personality, making him blend easily into the background.

Haruki typically wears his school uniform, consisting of a pale beige blazer with brown accents, a white shirt, a blue necktie, black dress pants, and dark brown loafers. Outside of school, his casual attire is equally simple, often consisting of plain-colored t-shirts and unadorned outfits that allow him to remain inconspicuous.

At the beginning of the story, Haruki Shiga is portrayed as anti-social, withdrawn, and emotionally detached. He avoids forming close relationships with others, driven by a deep-seated fear of emotional vulnerability and the possibility of hurting or being hurt by others. His stoic demeanor and lack of outward emotion make him appear indifferent, but this stems from his internal struggles rather than a lack of empathy.

As the story unfolds, Haruki’s character begins to change, largely due to his interactions with Sakura Yamauchi. Through their unique and transformative relationship, Haruki gradually learns to express his emotions and connect with others. Sakura helps him confront his fears, teaching him how to care for others, express gratitude, and embrace love. He evolves from a cowardly and emotionally reserved individual into someone more open and honest about his feelings.

By the end of the story, Haruki demonstrates significant personal growth, becoming more compassionate, kind, and appreciative of the people around him. His journey with Sakura not only helps him understand the value of human connection but also allows him to reveal and embrace his true feelings for her, marking a profound shift in his outlook on life and relationships.

Haruki Shiga, a reserved high school student, stumbles upon a journal titledLiving With Dyingwhile visiting the hospital. The journal belongs to his classmate Sakura Yamauchi, who reveals her terminal pancreatic illness. This discovery marks the start of an unlikely friendship that transforms Haruki’s life. Despite his initial reluctance, Sakura’s vibrant personality pulls Haruki out of his shell, challenging his emotional barriers and encouraging him to embrace the value of human connection.

The pair spends significant time together, from sharing meals to a spontaneous trip, where they play games and deepen their understanding of one another. Sakura’s candidness and humor often clash with Haruki’s reserved nature, but this dynamic helps him grow emotionally. Over time, Haruki learns to express his feelings, including his budding affection for Sakura.

Their bond grows stronger, culminating in a heartfelt moment during a hospital rooftop fireworks show, where Haruki promises to spend more time with Sakura once she’s discharged. They plan to meet at a café, but tragedy strikes. On the day of their meeting, Haruki learns from the news that Sakura has been fatally stabbed in a random act of violence. Devastated, he isolates himself, unable to attend her funeral.

Later, Haruki visits Sakura’s mother, who gives him her journal. Through its entries, Haruki learns more about Sakura’s thoughts and feelings, including how much she valued their time together. He breaks down upon realizing the impact he had on her life. In her memory, Haruki reconnects with her best friend, Kyouko, offering her the journal to understand Sakura’s condition and their friendship. The story ends with Haruki beginning to mend his relationships and honor Sakura’s legacy by opening himself to others.

The story concludes with Haruki and Kyouko visiting Sakura’s grave together, symbolizing their newfound friendship and shared grief. They leave flowers at her grave, paying their respects to the friend who changed their lives. As they walk away, Kyouko offers Haruki some gum—a subtle nod to the small, everyday connections Sakura cherished.

Before they leave to visit Sakura’s family, Haruki smiles for the first time in a long while, a sign of his emotional healing. A sakura leaf gently falls from a nearby tree, landing on Sakura’s tombstone. This poetic moment represents Sakura’s continued presence in their lives, watching over them as they move forward, honoring her memory.

Years after the events of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, Haruki Shiga has built a quiet life with his wife and daughter, Fuyu. Despite moving forward, Haruki continues to visit Sakura’s grave regularly, honoring her memory and the profound impact she had on his life.

One day, Fuyu overhears her father on a phone call and grows suspicious, believing he might be having an affair. Along with her friend Anzu, Fuyu decides to follow Haruki to uncover what he is hiding. After a series of misunderstandings, Haruki reveals the truth about his relationship with Sakura and the events that shaped him during his youth.

Hearing her father’s story deeply moves Fuyu. Having previously dismissed her life as boring and unremarkable, she begins to view it through a different lens, realizing the value of the connections and experiences she might have been taking for granted. Sakura’s story inspires her to appreciate the beauty in ordinary moments and embrace the unpredictability of life, much like her father learned to do years before.

Love Interest

Sakura Yamauchi: Initially, Haruki Shiga and Sakura Yamauchi had a distant and awkward relationship. Haruki’s reserved nature clashed with Sakura’s vibrant and outgoing personality, leading to a somewhat reluctant connection at first. However, as they spent more time together, Haruki began to appreciate Sakura’s unique charm and unwavering optimism, slowly developing feelings for her.

Their bond deepened over shared experiences and heartfelt moments, culminating in Haruki’s realization of his love for her. Shortly before her untimely death, Haruki sent Sakura a text message reading,“I want to eat your pancreas.”This phrase, referencing a superstition that consuming a part of someone allows their soul to live on within you, symbolized his feelings for her and his desire to keep her memory alive.

Sakura, aware of Haruki’s growing emotions, understood why he refrained from calling her by name. She knew that deepening their relationship would make her inevitable passing even more painful for him. Despite this, Haruki came to understand his true feelings, realizing that he had loved her all along and treasured the time they shared, even if it was fleeting.

Classmates

Kyouko Takimoto:Initially, Kyouko harbored intense dislike toward Haruki, viewing him as undeserving of Sakura’s attention and friendship. She frequently confronted him, often in aggressive and confrontational ways. However, after Sakura’s death, Kyouko gains a deeper understanding of their relationship and the impact it had on both of them. Over time, Kyouko and Haruki reconcile and become friends. Together, they visit Sakura’s grave and later her family, symbolizing their mutual respect and shared grief.

Issei Miyata:Miyata is one of Haruki’s more casual classmates, often seen chatting and sharing friendly conversations with him. He occasionally teases Haruki, particularly about his relationship with Sakura, and is shown to be curious about their dynamic. Miyata even offers Haruki gum during one of their interactions, showcasing his laid-back and amicable personality.

Takahiro:Takahiro is deeply jealous of Haruki’s growing bond with Sakura, a sentiment fueled by his own feelings for her. His jealousy eventually drives him to physically attack Haruki after a misunderstanding about their relationship. Despite this conflict, Haruki and Sakura’s connection remains steadfast, while Takahiro is left to come to terms with his unrequited feelings.

Family

Fuyu:Fuyu is Haruki’s daughter, and their relationship resembles that of a typical father and daughter. Haruki cares for her deeply, though their bond becomes strained after Fuyu suspects him of having an affair due to his secretive visits to Sakura’s grave. Their relationship is further tested during an argument about the value of life, as Fuyu often sees her own life as boring and unremarkable.
However, after Haruki shares Sakura’s story and the profound impact she had on his life, their relationship transforms. Through their heartfelt conversation, Fuyu gains a deeper appreciation for her father’s experiences and begins to see life from a new perspective. This understanding brings them closer, strengthening their bond and allowing them to connect on a more meaningful level.