June 2025 Bento Plus
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa, AnimeFanatiks! In our June 2025 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!!
This month we focus on Children and Childhood Pastimes. Some of us remember anime from our childhood, Heidi for the young at heart and Dragon Ball, Naruto and One Piece for others. Those childhood anime series were our friends and made our childhood great.
Next time you watch an anime you have watched as a child, wave at that kid in your heart. He or she opened the door to anime to you. What a great kid!
Nippon Events and Festivals
Here’s a list of notable events and festivals (matsuri) that take place in Japan during June, a month known for its lush greenery, hydrangea blossoms, and the start of the rainy season (tsuyu)
Early to mid-June
Festival : Chagu Chagu Umakko
Location : Iwate Prefecture
Highlights : A colourful horse parade where elaborately decorated horses march through the countryside, celebrated for children’s safety.
Early June
Festival : Yosakoi Soran Festival
Location : Sapporo, Hokkaido
Highlights : A dynamic and energetic dance festival inspired by Yosakoi and Soran Bushi folk songs. Features colourful costumes and team dances.
June 14
Festival : Otaue Rice Planting Festival
Location : Osaka (Sumiyoshi Taisha)
Highlights : A rice-planting ceremony with ritual dances, showcasing traditional Shinto prayers for a good harvest.
Throughout June
Festival : Toji Temple Hydrangea Festival
Location : Kyoto
Highlights : Famous temple grounds transformed by thousands of hydrangeas in bloom.
Mid-June
Festival : Fussa Firefly Festival
Location : Tokyo
Highlights : Family-friendly night event with firefly releases, stalls, and games.
SA Events
Ye Magical Medieval Fayre 2025
Date: 7 June
Venue:
Greensleeves Medieval Kingdom Johannesburg
AnimeFanatika Events
Anime Day
15 June - Discord
Starts: 09:00– Ends 18:00
Theme: Children and Childhood Pastimes
Join the WhatsApp Group to receive link
Anime Meetup
21 June @ Dragon Town
Starts: 14:00– Ends 18:00
Theme: Children and Childhood Pastimes
Game of the month
DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS: A Wholesome Blend of Farming and Friendship
Introduction
DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS is a charming crossover between the Story of Seasons farming sim series and the beloved Doraemon franchise. Developed by Marvelous and published by Bandai Namco, this cosy title brings together traditional farming gameplay with the heartfelt spirit of Nobita, Doraemon, and friends.
The story begins when the gang is whisked away to a strange world, where they decide to help a struggling village while searching for a way home.
Overview
Pros:
Beautiful visuals: The hand-drawn art style is soft and inviting, perfectly capturing the Doraemon aesthetic.
Relaxing gameplay: Tending crops, fishing, and building relationships offer a soothing experience.
Emotional storytelling: The narrative touches on friendship, growth, and community in a gentle, nostalgic way.
Familiar faces: Doraemon fans will love seeing the classic characters interact in a rural setting.
Cons:
Slow pacing: The game moves at a leisurely pace, which may not appeal to everyone.
Limited gadgets: Doraemon’s famous gadgets are mostly absent early on, making it feel more like a traditional farming sim.
Repetitive tasks: Some may find the daily routines monotonous over time.
Conclusion:
DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS is a lovely and heartfelt game best suited for fans of slow-paced Sims and those who grew up with Doraemon. While it may lack challenge or gadget-heavy fun at first, its storytelling and wholesome atmosphere make it a delightful escape. It’s a perfect choice for players seeking peace, nostalgia, and a touch of magic in their gaming experience.
Itadakimasu Eats
We All Scream for Ice Cream: Anime Edition
We love ice cream!
From the lactose-intolerant to milk connoisseurs, we’ve all found ways to enjoy this sweet, creamy treat. As children, we’d run into the streets with our pocket money the moment we heard that eerie, repetitive jingle echo from the neighbourhood ice cream truck, hoping to snag a cone before it rolled on.
There are so many amazing flavours these days: Chocolate, Vanilla, Mocha, Potato…. and my personal favourite strawberry Cheesecake.
Japan loves ice cream too, and that love often shows up in anime. In Ranma ½, the main character is a teenage martial artist with a strange curse: warm water turns him into a girl. As a boy, he won’t touch desserts. But in his girl form? He indulges, especially, in his favourite: ice cream parfaits. He might think it’s embarrassing for a guy to enjoy sweets, but that doesn’t stop him.
In The Apothecary Diaries season 2, episode 15, Maomao’s friend gets into trouble after accidentally bumping into a eunuch delivering ice to a concubine. The ice is ruined, until Maomao saves the day by creating a dish she’s never made before: ice cream.
Today, we’re diving into the coolest anime moments featuring ice cream. Grab your dessert spoons, let’s dig in! Itadakimasu!
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.
Wotagei is a unique Japanese performance art where enthusiastic fans use rhythmic, synchronised 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 a song called What’s Up people with scenes from various anime. His second choice is a untitled song by Tokyo Amvs with scenes from the anime From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman.
Ookami’s first choice is This is Your Calling by Zahna with scenes from One Piece. His second choice is AERROW’s Let Go with scenes from Various Anime
Shiro’s first AMV choice is SABATON – Templars with scenes from GATE. His second choice is Project Vela – Scared to Ask with scenes from Fire Force Season 3,
Retara, 0ur correspondence from Japan shares with us two impressive Wotagei videos.
Please 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 Tunes
Retara's Tunes
Birthday of the Month
Mitsuri Kanroji - Demon Slayer
Born on June 1st, Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, is known for her vibrant personality, unmatched speed, and extraordinary strength. Despite her gentle, affectionate nature, Mitsuri wields her whip-like Nichirin Sword with deadly precision, striking down demons with grace and power.
Her unique breathing style, Love Breathing, reflects her emotional depth and passion for protecting others. Often underestimated due to her bubbly demeanour and pink-green hair, Mitsuri proves time and again that kindness and strength can coexist.
Her loyalty to her comrades and courageous heart make her one of Demon Slayer’s most beloved and inspiring characters. Fans adore her charm.
She shares her birth month with:
9th Itachi Uchiha Naruto
26 Spike Spiegel [Cowboy Bebop]
30 Dondochakka Birstanne [Bleach]
Anime Challenge June 2025
Medarot (or Medabots)
Medarot, known internationally as Medabots, is a nostalgic anime series that first aired in 1999, based on the RPG video game by Imagineer.
Set in a futuristic world where children own customisable robots called Medarots, the story follows Ikki Tenryou, a young boy who dreams of becoming a champion in Robattles, high-stakes robot duels governed by strategy, wit, and friendship. His Medabot, Metabee, is a stubborn, headstrong bot with a unique personality and rare medal, making their partnership as chaotic as it is endearing.
The series gained popularity for its engaging blend of action, comedy, and heartfelt moments, as well as for exploring themes like teamwork, identity, and self-worth. Its English adaptation aired during the early 2000s and quickly became a cult favourite alongside other series like Pokémon and Digimon.
What made Medabots stand out was its deeper story arcs and moral complexities, often presenting philosophical questions about AI, independence, and human-robot relationships. While it never reached the same global success as its contemporaries, Medarot remains a hidden gem worth revisiting, especially for fans of character-driven mecha anime with heart, humour, and high-energy battles that still hold up today.
Light novel of the Month
By the Grace of the Gods
By the Grace of the Gods follows Ryoma Takebayashi, a kind-hearted man who dies and is reincarnated in a fantasy world by three gods. Gifted with magical abilities and a peaceful life, Ryoma chooses to live simply, raising slimes and helping others.
Unlike typical isekai power fantasies, this light novel emphasises healing, kindness, and slice-of-life charm. Ryoma’s journey is less about battle and more about community, self-discovery, and enjoying a second chance. With its relaxed pacing and wholesome tone, the series offers a heartwarming escape for readers seeking comfort, magic, and a protagonist who finds strength in gentleness and compassion.
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.
VTuber Spotlight
Chaos in a Cute Package: Spotlight on Chibidoki
Chibidoki, affectionately known as Chibi, is a rising star in the VTuber world whose brand of chaotic energy wrapped in an adorable avatar has captured the hearts of thousands. Debuting as an independent VTuber in 2021, Chibi quickly stood out thanks to her high-octane streams, hyperactive voice, and unmatched comedic timing. Her gremlin-like persona, a blend of chaos gremlin energy and anime chibi cuteness, sets her apart in a sea of digital personalities.
She primarily creates content on Twitch and YouTube, streaming games, reacting to memes, and engaging her community with spontaneous antics. Her streams are an unpredictable mix of squeals, sass, and surprisingly sharp wit, keeping fans constantly entertained.
Despite the chaos, Chibidoki is also deeply endearing. Her community, known as the Chibiverse, embraces the madness, celebrating the balance between comedy and wholesomeness that she brings to the table. Even amid screaming matches with inanimate objects or cursed karaoke sessions, there’s a sense of authenticity that resonates.
Chibi’s growing popularity highlights the appeal of unscripted fun in the VTuber space. In a realm where polish often reigns supreme, Chibidoki reminds us that being a little unhinged is sometimes exactly what makes you unforgettable.
Cosplay
Do you Want to know how to make a demon slayer corps uniform using things you already own as a base? Satsuki Cosplay shows us with a simple and quick tutorial on how you can do it, then from here you can make a Tanjiro Cosplay, a Zenitsu Cosplay, a Shinobu Cosplay, a Rengoku cosplay, a Mitsuri Cosplay or even Other Hashiras with some adjustments, since it’s the same base Uniform.
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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