May 2026 Bento Plus
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa, AnimeFanatiks! In our May Bento Plus we have our monthly anime and manga challenges, we talk about delicious Japanese food, have great AMVs and a variety of yummy content for you to sink your teeth in. We are your monthly source of anime and Japanese news. Itadakimasu!!
Upcoming events
Events in Nippon
April in Japan is honestly one of the best months culturally, you’ve got cherry blossoms, traditional festivals, and the start of major holiday periods.Here’s a list of notable events and festivals (matsuri) that take place in Japan during April.
April 29 - May 5
Golden Week
Golden Week is a cluster of national holidays that turns late April into one of Japan’s biggest travel seasons.
Think of it as a chain of celebratory dominoes:
Showa Day (April 29) – Honors Emperor Showa and reflects on Japan’s history.
Constitution Memorial Day (May 3) – Celebrates Japan’s postwar constitution.
Greenery Day (May 4) – A nature appreciation day
Children’s Day (May 5) – Families celebrate children with carp streamers
May 3–4
Hakata Dontaku Festival
Fukuoka
Significance:
One of Japan’s largest festivals with over 2 million visitors, featuring parades, music, and traditional performances.
May 3–5
Hiroshima Flower Festival
A vibrant celebration of peace with floral displays, parades, and performances.
3rd weekend of May
Sanja Matsuri
One of Tokyo’s biggest festivals, featuring mikoshi (portable shrines) carried through the streets.
May 15
Aoi Matsuri
Kyoto: A historic imperial procession dating back over a thousand years.
Game of the month
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Review – A Stylish Noir Shooter with Classic Cartoon Flair
Introduction
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a visually striking indie first-person shooter that blends 1930s noir aesthetics with rubber-hose cartoon animation. From the moment you step into its monochrome world, the game captures attention with its unique art style inspired by early animation, reminiscent of vintage cartoons and detective films. This creative direction instantly sets it apart in a crowded FPS market.
Overview
Pros:
Immersive: The game’s biggest strength lies in its bold visual identity and immersive atmosphere.
All that jazz: Its jazzy soundtrack, smooth animation, and expressive characters create a living cartoon world.
Way of the gun: Gunplay feels responsive, and the detective narrative adds intrigue, giving players more than just action.
Design: The level design encourages exploration, rewarding curiosity with hidden details and secrets.
Cons:
Going for a loop?: However, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is not without flaws. Some players may find the gameplay loop repetitive over time, and the story, while stylish, can feel underdeveloped in parts.
Performance anxiety: Performance optimisation may also vary depending on hardware, which could impact the experience.
Conclusion:
Overall, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire delivers a fresh take on the FPS genre through its artistic ambition and noir-inspired storytelling. While it has minor shortcomings, its originality and charm make it a must-play for fans of indie games and retro aesthetics.
Itadakimasu Eats
Spacefoods and Sweet Potato
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) has created certified Japanese space food to help astronauts on the International Space Station enjoy familiar meals like curry and yakisoba. Designed to reduce stress and improve morale during long missions, the programme brings home-style Japanese cuisine into space.
Developed with food manufacturers, these meals meet strict certification standards and are currently provided to Japanese astronauts, with plans for future international expansion. The initiative supports comfort, performance, and cultural connection during space travel. One ingredient playing a quiet but important role in this research is the humble sweet potato.
Sweet potato is a comfort food, and in Japan, it is a seasonal autumn food. They love it so much that there is even a Sweet Potato Kit Kat flavour! It is perfect for colder weather since it is a great source of vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, potassium, dietary fibre, niacin, vitamins B1 and B2 as well as phosphorus. In short, it is very good for you!
New AMV's & Wotagei
Every month, the AnimeFanatika team dives headfirst into the YouTube universe, hunting for the hottest, most rocking AMVs to blow your mind, as well as Wotagei videos.
Takeshi's Tunes
First choice is SABATON – Steel Commanders with scenes from GATE. His second choice is Abokai – The Story You Built with scenes from Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria Season 2 and his third choice is Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine with scenes from Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash – The Witch of Circe.
Ookami's Tunes
First choice is Rammstein – Links 2 3 4 with scenes from 86 EIGHTY-SIX. His second choice is FEUERSCHWANZ – Untot Im Drachenboot with scenes from Jujutsu Kaisen 3rd Season and his third choice is AMBERIAN DAWN – The Vision of Dreaming with scenes from Azur Lane.
Daisuke Tunes
First AMV choice is Page One Last Stand with scenes from Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria Season 2. His second choice is Monster In My Skin with scenes from Marriagetoxin. His last choice is We Row As One – Tokyo AMV with scenes from One Piece
Kuroyuki Tunes
First AMV choice is A Thousand Years – John Michael Howell, JVKE & Zac Lawson with scenes from various anime. Her second choice is Lazora Origin – Villain with scenes from various anime. Her last choice is THE FIRE BENEATH (Original Song) with scenes from Hellsing Ultimate / Hellsing.
Retara's Tunes
Our correspondence from Japan shares with us this impressive Wotagei video.
Please support the original music artists by looking them up on YouTube, Spotify and other media and give them your appreciation and support!
Birthday of the Month
Shinji Hirako
Shinji Hirako is one of the most intriguing captains in Bleach, known for his laid-back attitude masking a sharp, tactical mind.
As the former captain of the 5th Division and later leader of the Visored, Shinji occupies a unique space between Soul Reapers and Hollowfied beings. His personality is playful, often teasing allies and enemies alike, yet he remains highly perceptive, particularly when it comes to reading deception, something that defines his long-standing conflict with Sosuke Aizen.
Shinji’s Zanpakutō, Sakanade, reflects his unconventional nature. Its ability reverses an opponent’s sense of direction, turning combat into psychological warfare. This disorienting power highlights Shinji’s preference for strategy over brute force. As a Visored, he can also don a Hollow mask, amplifying his speed and strength dramatically.
Despite his easygoing demeanour, Shinji carries the weight of betrayal and exile, which adds depth to his character. His return to the Gotei 13 symbolises both redemption and resilience. Shinji Hirako stands out as a clever, unpredictable fighter whose blend of intellect and power makes him a fan-favourite. Sinji celebrates his birthday on May 10th
Shinji Hirako shares his birth month with:
May Anime Challenge
Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA: A Timeless Sci-Fi Anime Masterpiece
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a landmark anime OVA that redefined the space opera genre with its deep political storytelling and complex characters. Spanning multiple episodes, this epic series explores the interstellar conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, presenting war not just as action, but as ideology and consequence.
At the heart of the narrative are two brilliant tacticians: Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-li. Their rivalry reflects contrasting philosophies, authoritarian ambition versus democratic idealism, giving the series intellectual weight rarely seen in anime.
Known for its mature tone, detailed dialogue, and realistic depiction of politics, the OVA avoids typical anime tropes in favour of grounded storytelling. Its orchestral score and strategic battles further elevate the experience.
Even decades after release, Legend of the Galactic Heroes remains essential viewing for fans seeking a thoughtful, character-driven sci-fi anime.
Light novel of the Month
I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! Light Novel Review: A Dark Comedy Sci-Fi Hit
I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! is a standout sci-fi light novel that blends satire, isekai elements, and space opera action into a highly entertaining narrative. The story follows Liam, a man reborn into a futuristic empire after a miserable past life, determined to live selfishly as an “evil lord.” Ironically, his ruthless decisions often benefit his people, earning him admiration instead of fear.
This clever reversal of expectations drives much of the humour, as Liam’s attempts at tyranny result in prosperity and loyalty. The series explores themes of morality, leadership, and perception, all wrapped in a comedic tone.
With sprawling intergalactic settings, advanced technology, and political intrigue, the novel delivers both action and world-building. Its engaging protagonist and ironic storytelling have made it popular among fans of unconventional isekai.
It is a refreshing isekai that makes one forget that it is an isekai, breaking through what most people epect an isekai should be. Combining that with the sharp wit and with epic sci-fi elements, I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! offers a refreshing twist on the genre and remains a must-read for light novel enthusiasts.
Manga Challenge May 2026
Space Cheon-Ma 3077 Manga: A Futuristic Martial Arts Sci-Fi Epic
All about Japan
All About Japan shows you interesting journeys, interviews or just trivia that teach us more about the Land of The Rising Sun and its people. Enjoy the videos as we take a deeper dive into what makes Japan such a beloved country for many from some of our favourite YouTubers.
Cosplay
We share a great cosplay tutorial that might resonate with beginners that would like to know more about the craft. Want to know more about sewing for cosplay? Then this video might be just for you!
Japanese Art Forms
Yoshoku Explained: History and Modern Takes on Japan’s Western-Inspired Cuisine
Yoshoku refers to a unique category of Japanese dishes influenced by Western cooking, developed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its origins trace back to the Meiji Restoration, when Japan opened to foreign trade and began adopting Western customs, including food. Chefs adapted European recipes to suit Japanese tastes and available ingredients, giving rise to iconic dishes like Tonkatsu, Omurice, and Hambāgu.
Historically, yoshoku symbolised modernity and sophistication, often served in urban restaurants catering to a growing middle class. Unlike traditional washoku, these dishes embraced rich sauces, meat-heavy meals, and Western plating styles, yet retained a distinctly Japanese flavour profile.
In modern Japan, yoshoku continues to evolve. Contemporary chefs reinterpret classics with premium ingredients, fusion techniques, and creative presentation. Trendy cafés and restaurants experiment with gourmet omurice, wagyu hamburg steaks, and hybrid dishes that blend global influences. Yoshoku also remains a comfort food staple, widely available in casual diners and family restaurants.
Balancing nostalgia with innovation, yoshoku represents Japan’s ability to absorb and transform foreign influences into something uniquely its own, ensuring its lasting appeal.
Japanese Commercials
Japanese commercials are out of this world sometimes, strange and fun. We share with you a highly entertaining Japanese commercial video and we hope you enjoy it!
Sugoi Shorts
We share fun YouTube shorts about anime, cosplay, music and everything inbetween!
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