How to Eat Life
Japanese novel series by Ao Jūmonji
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How to Eat Life (いのちの食べ方, Inochi no Tabekata) is a Japanese light novel series written by Ao Jūmonji and illustrated by lack. It is based on the song of the same name by the singer Eve included in his fifth studio album, Smile. It began publication under Media Factory's MF Bunko J imprint in September 2022. A manga adaptation illustrated by Yutoto began serialization in Media Factory's shōjo manga magazine Monthly Comic Gene in October 2023.
| How to Eat Life | |
First light novel volume cover | |
| いのちの食べ方 (Inochi no Tabekata) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Adventure, fantasy[1] |
| Created by | Eve |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Ao Jūmonji |
| Illustrated by | lack |
| Published by | Media Factory |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | MF Bunko J |
| Original run | September 22, 2022 – present |
| Volumes | 7 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Ao Jūmonji |
| Illustrated by | Yutoto |
| Published by | Media Factory |
| Imprint | MF Comics Gene Series |
| Magazine | Monthly Comic Gene |
| Original run | October 14, 2023 – present |
| Volumes | 3 |
Plot
Tobi Otogiri, a withdrawn second-year middle school student, spends his days searching for his missing older brother. Isolated from his classmates, Tobi's only constant companion is Baku, a mysterious talking backpack he received on the day his brother disappeared. Despite not being human, Baku provides Tobi with companionship and guidance as he navigates his bleak routine.
Tobi's solitary life changes when his classmate Ryuko Shiratama approaches him and reveals that she can also hear Baku. She also reveals she can see strange inhuman entities clinging to people around them, just as Tobi can. As unsettling incidents begin occurring at their school, the two realize these invisible beings may be responsible. Together with Baku, Tobi and Ryūko are drawn into a hidden world where human and inhuman forces intersect.
Media
Light novel
Written by Ao Jūmonji and illustrated by lack, How to Eat Life began publication under Media Factory's MF Bunko J light novel imprint on September 22, 2022. Seven volumes have been released as of December 25, 2025.[2]
On February 7, 2025, Yen Press announced that they had licensed the novels for English publication beginning in July of that year.[3]
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | North American release date | North American ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 22, 2022[4] | 978-4-04-681751-8 | July 8, 2025[1] | 979-8-8554-1313-7 |
| 2 | December 23, 2022[5] | 978-4-04-682037-2 | March 10, 2026[6] | 979-8-8554-1315-1 |
| 3 | May 25, 2023[7] | 978-4-04-682443-1 | — | — |
| 4 | October 25, 2023[8] | 978-4-04-682988-7 | — | — |
| 5 | June 25, 2024[9] | 978-4-04-683541-3 | — | — |
| 6 | May 23, 2025[10] | 978-4-04-684808-6 | — | — |
| 7 | December 25, 2025[2] | 978-4-04-685442-1 | — | — |
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Yutoto began serialization in Media Factory's shōjo manga magazine Monthly Comic Gene on October 14, 2023.[11] The manga's chapters have been compiled into three tankōbon volumes as of December 2025.[12]
| No. | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 26, 2024[13] | 978-4-04-683422-5 |
| 2 | December 25, 2024[14] | 978-4-04-684084-4 |
| 3 | December 25, 2025[12] | 978-4-04-685432-2 |
Reception
The series won the 2022 Next Light Novel Award in the bunkōbon category.[15]