April 2025 Bento Plus
Itadakimasu
Konnich Minna, It is April and the start of spring in Japan and in our April 2025 Bento Plus a new anime season started. There are great anime series and movies waiting for us to discover and to explore. If you are wondering what to watch this season, we recommend our Top Spring 2025 Anime Picks.
In this Bento Plus we have our monthly anime and manga challenges, we talk about Instant Ramen, 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!!
Nippon Events and Festivals April 2025
April in Japan is a vibrant month filled with cherry blossoms, festivals, and cultural events. Here’s a list of notable events and festivals happening throughout the month
April
Cherry Blossom Festivals (Sakura Matsuri) – Nationwide 🌸
Various locations across Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms with picnics, illuminations, and performances.
Famous spots: Ueno Park (Tokyo), Maruyama Park (Kyoto), Osaka Castle Park (Osaka).
First weekend of April
Inuyama Festival (犬山祭) – Aichi 🏮
Location: Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture
Features elaborate floats with mechanical puppets (karakuri) parading through the streets, illuminated at night with lanterns.
All of April
Miyako Odori (都をどり) – Kyoto 💃
Location: Gion, Kyoto
A mesmerizing annual performance by Kyoto’s geisha (maiko and geiko) showcasing traditional dance and music.
April 14–15
Takayama Spring Festival (高山祭) – Gifu 🎎
Location: Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Famous for its beautifully crafted floats and night-time processions in the historic Takayama district.
Mid-to-late April
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (弘前さくらまつり) – Aomori 🌸
Location: Hirosaki Castle, Aomori
One of Japan’s most spectacular cherry blossom events, with thousands of trees surrounding the castle.
South African Events
Anime Meetup
26 April @ Dragon Town
Starts: 14:00– Ends 18:00
Theme: Spring Season Releases 2025
Game of the month
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? ~Fullland of Water and Light~
Introduction
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Fullland of Water and Light is a 2D side-scrolling action RPG developed by Racjin Co., Ltd. and published by Bushiroad Inc. Released on March 12, 2025, the game is set in the universe of the popular anime and light novel series DanMachi. Players control protagonists Bell Cranel and Ais Wallenstein as they navigate the submerged city of Orario, uncovering the mysteries behind its transformation.
Overview
In this original storyline crafted by series author Fujino Omori, Orario has unexpectedly become a “World of Water.” Bell encounters a mysterious girl who refers to him as the “Hero” before disappearing, leaving behind a glowing blue sword. Players embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of the “Fullland of Water and Light” while battling monsters and exploring the submerged city.
Gameplay Features
Playable Characters: Switch between Bell Cranel and Ais Wallenstein, utilizing their unique combat styles involving magic and swordplay.
Combat System: Engage in real-time battles, building up the “Super Special Move Gauge” to unleash powerful attacks like “Argo Vesta” and “Lil Rafaga.”
Counter Mechanic: Time your parries to execute explosive counterattacks, significantly increasing damage output.
Assist System: Team up with familiar characters from the series who provide support during battles, enhancing strategic depth.
Original Characters: Meet new characters designed by illustrator Kakage, including Spirit Dine, Saint Belinda Altanetta, and Knight Fullland Howls, who contribute to the unfolding narrative.
Pros:
Authentic Storyline: An original narrative penned by the series’ author adds depth to the DanMachi universe.
Engaging Combat: The combination of swordplay, magic, and special moves offers dynamic and satisfying gameplay.
Visuals and Art: High-quality 2D graphics and character designs stay true to the anime’s aesthetic.
Character Variety: The inclusion of both main and original characters enriches the storytelling experience.
Cons:
Repetitive Gameplay: Some players may find the side-scrolling action and enemy encounters become monotonous over time.
Limited Exploration: The game’s linear progression may not appeal to those seeking open-world exploration.
Niche Appeal: Primarily targeted at fans of the DanMachi series; newcomers might not fully appreciate the context and character relationships.
Conclusion:
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Fullland of Water and Light offers fans an opportunity to delve into a new adventure within the beloved universe. With its original story, engaging combat mechanics, and faithful art style, it provides an enjoyable experience for those familiar with the series. However, its linear gameplay and potential repetitiveness may not cater to all players.
Itadakimasu Eats
The Art of Japanese Ramen: A Bowl of Perfection
Last month, we explored the world of ramen. This month, we’re diving into its speedy sibling, instant ramen! A staple for college students worldwide, it’s also the ultimate companion for anime marathons.
Just add hot water, or take it up a notch with fridge-raided ingredients, and you’ve got a warm, comforting meal that soothes both belly and soul. Ready to slurp your way through this delicious deep dive?
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! This month we introduce you to Wotagei.
Wotagei is a unique Japanese performance art where enthusiastic fans use rhythmic, synchronized movements, often with glow sticks, to cheer for idols at concerts. It blends dance, chants, and acrobatics, creating a visually dynamic experience. Originating in otaku culture, wotagei fosters energetic fan engagement and a strong communal spirit.
Takeshi’s first choice is ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – APT. with scenes from various anime. His second choice is Life is Beautiful by Daichi Miura with scenes from the game Blue Archive .
Ookami’s first choice is Egzod & Maestro Chives – Royalty (ft. Neoni) with scenes from Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow. His second choice is YCK – Three Eyes with scenes from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Shiro’s AMV choice is オーバー / Over (Keep Paddling Mix) by Riya with scenes from Clannad: After Story – Another World, Kyou Chapter
Nekobara’s AMV choice is Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez with scenes from Bungo Stray Dogs
Our correspondence from Japan, Retara shares with us to two impressive Wotagei videos.
Please do support the original music artists by looking them up on YouTube, Spotify and other media and give them your appreciation and support!
Takeshi's Tunes
Ookami's Tunes
Shiro/ Nekobara Tunes
Retara's Tunes
Birthday of the Month
Natsuki Subaru – The Unlikely Hero of Re:Zero
Natsuki Subaru, the protagonist of Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World, celebrates his birthday on April first. He is an ordinary shut-in transported to a fantasy realm. Unlike typical isekai heroes, he has no special powers, except Return by Death, a curse that revives him at a past point upon dying.
This forces him to endure psychological torment, witnessing his own failures and loved ones’ suffering repeatedly. Despite his flaws -stubbornness, arrogance, and insecurity – Subaru’s resilience, growth, and unwavering love for Emilia define his journey.
His story is a gripping exploration of perseverance, trauma, and self-worth, making him one of anime’s most compelling and complex protagonists.
Natsuki celebrates his birth month with:
Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia) – April 20
Ritsuko Kunihiro (Shiki) – April 7
Sohma Kisa (Fruits Basket) – April 4
Anime Challenge April 2025
Haibane Renmei
Our anime challenge for April is Haibane Renmei, a Tale of Redemption and Mystery. Haibane Renmei is a thought-provoking anime about Rakka, a girl who awakens in a mysterious town called Glie with small wings and a halo. She is one of the Haibane, beings with no memory of their past lives, living under strict, unexplained rules.
As Rakka searches for meaning, the series explores themes of guilt, redemption, and acceptance. Its melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere, beautiful hand-drawn art, and Yasuhiro Nightow’s storytelling create a deeply emotional experience.
With its introspective narrative and quiet beauty, Haibane Renmei is a hidden gem that resonates with viewers on a personal and philosophical level.
Light novel of the Month
Clione no Akari
Clione no Akari by Natural-Rain is a touching light novel about Minori, a sickly girl who faces relentless bullying at school. Despite her struggles, her classmates Takashi and Kyōko show her kindness, but they fail to stop her suffering. One day, Minori disappears, leaving them with a lingering sense of guilt. Months later, they receive an anonymous email inviting them to a summer festival, sparking a mysterious and emotional journey.
This heartfelt story explores themes of friendship, regret, and the impact of small acts of kindness, making it a poignant and reflective read for fans of emotional narratives.
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 it’s 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.
From exploring the under-tourism in Japan to being autistic in Japan, All about Japan explore all.
Vtuber Spotlight: Yukinoshita Peo – The Shy Fairy Bringing Magic to VTubing
In the ever-expanding world of VTubing, Yukinoshita Peo stands out as a soft-spoken yet charming presence. Debuting in 2022, this flower fairy VTuber captivates fans with her cozy streams, whether she’s gaming, chatting, or sharing her art.
While naturally shy, Peo is learning English to connect with a global audience, making her streams a mix of soothing vibes and occasional adorable awkwardness.
Her fanbase, the Peonista, supports her not just in entertainment but also in charity. Peo has impressively raised over $13,000 for good causes. A quiet but impactful figure, she’s proof that even the smallest fairies can make a difference.
Cosplay
Our first video is a cosplay video of the Malaysia Anime Convention Nijigen Expo 8 in 2025. Watch with us as cosplayers show off their stunning costumes!
Our second video showcases しょこらcosplay adventuring and cosplaying in her kawaii McDonald’s outfit.
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!
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