WHITE FOX Unveils "How I Became King by Eating Monsters" Anime
Fans of dark fantasy and unique protagonists, rejoice! Renowned anime studio WHITE FOX, known for critically acclaimed titles like Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World- and Steins;Gate, has officially announced a television anime adaptation for Daken's popular light novel series, How I Became King by Eating Monsters (also known by its original Japanese title, Monster no Niku wo Kutteitara Ōi ni Tsuita Ken). Set to debut in 2027, this highly anticipated series promises a thrilling journey into a world where survival means devouring the very creatures others fear.
A Prince's Desperate Hunt for Survival and Power
The story centers on Mars, the twelve-year-old first prince of the kingdom of Farune, who lives under constant threat of assassination. To evade the deadly poisons frequently laced into his royal meals, Mars secretly ventures into the monster-infested forest surrounding the castle. There, battling both ferocious beasts and his own gnawing hunger, he learns to hunt and eat monsters, a desperate act of survival that unexpectedly bestows upon him incredible strength. His clandestine hunting grounds become a training ground, leading to a fateful encounter with a mysterious red-haired woman wielding a greatsword. She sees his potential and takes him on as her apprentice, revealing the secret truth that eating monsters can make one stronger. With newfound power and guidance, Prince Mars begins to overcome the relentless assassination attempts, but this is merely the beginning. His path soon embroils him in a complex web of nationwide and even continent-spanning wars and intricate plots.
From Web Novel Sensation to Anime Screen
Daken originally launched the compelling narrative of How I Became King by Eating Monsters on the popular Japanese web novel platform "Shōsetsuka ni Narō" in January 2022. The series quickly gained traction, leading to its publication in compiled volume format by Micro Magazine's GCN Bunko label in September 2023, featuring striking illustrations by Shiba. Cross Infinite World has been instrumental in bringing the original light novel series to English-speaking audiences, digitally releasing the sixth volume recently and providing fans worldwide access to Prince Mars's unique saga. The seventh volume in Japan is also on the horizon for October.
Expanding the Monster-Eating Universe
The world of How I Became King by Eating Monsters extends beyond light novels, with a manga adaptation illustrated by Karin Suzuragi having launched in Hakusensha's Young Animal Zero magazine in January 2024. Suzuragi, known for works like Danganronpa 2: Chiaki Nanami's Goodbye Despair Quest, has brought Mars's adventures to vivid life in sequential art, with the third compiled manga volume slated for release in October. Both original novel illustrator Shiba and manga artist Karin Suzuragi shared celebratory illustrations to mark the exciting anime announcement, further building anticipation among fans.
Daken's Growing Presence in Anime and English Publishing
Author Daken is a prolific writer with a growing presence in the anime and English publishing spheres. Beyond How I Became King by Eating Monsters, Daken's light novel series Tsuihо̄ Sareta Shо̄nin wa Kin no Chikara de Sekai wo Sukū is also slated for an upcoming television anime adaptation. English readers are familiar with Daken's other works through various publishers, including Seven Seas Entertainment releasing The Suspects of Necromancy and The Wicked Princess and Her Twelve Eyes light novel series, and Yen Press publishing Who Killed the Hero? light novel series. The increasing number of adaptations and English releases speaks to Daken's storytelling prowess and the broad appeal of their fantasy worlds. The upcoming Monster no Niku wo Kutteitara Ōi ni Tsuita Ken anime by WHITE FOX is undoubtedly a major event for fans of the genre and a testament to the captivating story of a prince who eats monsters to become king.
