May 2025 Bento Plus
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa, AnimeFanatiks! In our May 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!!
May is the time for Golden Week, a series of national holidays from late April to early May, making it one of Japan’s busiest travel seasons. Golden Week is one of Japan’s busiest and most celebrated holiday periods which includes four national holidays: Shōwa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children’s Day (May 5).
Many businesses close, and families take this opportunity to travel, relax, and enjoy spring festivals. Popular destinations become crowded, transportation is often fully booked, and prices rise. Despite the rush, Golden Week offers a rare chance for extended rest in Japan’s work-focused culture, making it a cherished time for celebration, reflection, and reconnecting with nature and loved ones.
Nippon Events and Festivals May 2025
May in Japan is a festive month filled with festivals, and cultural events. Here’s a list of notable events and festivals happening throughout the month
May 3–5
Hamamatsu Kite Festival Location: Shizuoka
A spectacular event where massive kites are flown and battled over the Nakatajima Sand Dunes, accompanied by nighttime float parades.
May 3–5
Hiroshima Flower Festival
Location: Hiroshima
Featuring yosakoi dance competitions, parades, and evening illuminations, this festival celebrates peace and community spirit.
May 3–4
Hakata Dontaku Festival
Location: Fukuoka
Dating back over 840 years, this festival features parades with over 33,000 performers and attracts more than 2 million visitors.
May 15
Aoi Matsuri
Location: Kyoto
One of Kyoto’s three major festivals, it showcases a grand procession of participants in Heian-period attire, traveling from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo Shrines.
May 16–18
Sanja Matsuri
Location: Tokyo
Held in Asakusa, this energetic festival honors the three founders of Sensō-ji Temple with lively parades, traditional music, and street food.
South African Events
Anime Meetup
24 May @ Dragon Town
Starts: 14:00– Ends 18:00
Theme: Medieval
Japanese Festival
The Japanese Embassy and Menlyn Maine Central Square present the Japanese Festival from 16–18 May. Enjoy tea ceremonies, bonsai, ikebana, martial arts demos, cosplay, Gunpla, koi fish, samurai armour, and more. Former Miss International contestants will also speak. Entry is free, come celebrate Japan’s rich traditions and vibrant pop culture!
Magicon Wizarding Experience 2025
Magicon Wizarding Experience 2025 conjures up a magical day on 10 May at Castle da Angelo! Explore Hogsmeade Village, wizarding classes, escape games, live actors, a Forbidden Forest, carnival fun, and more. Dress up, join the magic, and immerse yourself in a full day of spellbinding adventures and enchanted surprises!
Game of the month
WARRIORS: Abyss
Introduction
WARRIORS: Abyss is a roguelike spin-off from Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors series, blending hack-and-slash action with procedurally generated runs. Set in a demon-infested underworld, players assemble a team from over 100 iconic characters, each with unique abilities, to battle waves of enemies and formidable bosses.
The game introduces a “Summoning Heroes” mechanic, allowing players to call upon allies for powerful combo attacks. While the combat is engaging and offers high replayability, critics have noted issues with repetitive level design and underwhelming boss encounters. Despite these shortcomings, WARRIORS: Abyss provides a fresh take on the franchise, appealing to fans seeking a challenging, fast-paced experience.
Overview
Koei Tecmo’s WARRIORS: Abyss takes the long-running Dynasty Warriors formula into uncharted territory by embracing roguelike mechanics. Set in a dark, demon-infested realm, players battle through procedurally generated levels, facing hordes of enemies and brutal bosses while collecting upgrades and summoning heroes from a massive roster of over 100 characters.
The game’s strength lies in its fast-paced, chaotic combat, a signature of the Warriors franchise, now layered with strategic elements like randomised power-ups and team composition. Players can summon allies for devastating combo attacks, adding depth to encounters. Each run is different, offering high replay value and encouraging experimentation with builds and character synergies.
Pros:
Vast character roster with unique abilities
Addictive roguelike gameplay loop
Visually striking, with intense combat effects
High replayability due to procedural generation
Strategic team-building adds tactical depth
Cons:
Repetitive environments and level layouts
Boss fights can feel unbalanced or underwhelming
Some performance issues on lower-end systems
Lack of narrative depth compared to mainline titles
Conclusion:
Overall, WARRIORS: Abyss is a bold spin-off that reimagines the hack-and-slash gameplay fans love with a more strategic and replayable structure. While it may not appeal to every traditionalist, it’s a satisfying experience for those seeking a more challenging and varied Warriors game and a welcome experiment in expanding the franchise’s reach.
Itadakimasu Eats
Bamboo shoots
Bamboo shoots, or takenoko in Japanese, are a beloved seasonal ingredient in Japanese cuisine, especially in spring. Harvested while still tender, these young shoots are prized for their crisp texture and delicate, slightly nutty flavour.
They are often simmered in dashi-based broths, used in stir-fries, miso soup, or served as tempura. Fresh bamboo shoots require careful preparation, including boiling to remove bitterness.
Their short harvest season adds to their allure, symbolising renewal and the arrival of spring. In traditional cooking, takenoko reflects the Japanese appreciation for seasonal foods, and their inclusion often brings a sense of freshness and subtle elegance to any meal
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, 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 Wake Up by NEFFEX with scenes from various anime. His second choice is Lady Gaga – Judas with scenes from the anime Dandadan.
Ookami’s first choice is THREE DAYS GRACE – Time Of Dying (cover by YouthNeverDies & Halocene prod. ONLAP) with scenes from The Star Seekers. His second choice is Everrest – Tear It Down with scenes from Devil May Cry
Shiro’s first AMV choice is CADMIUM X Electric Range X Tara Louise – The Call with scenes from various anime. His second choice is ALESTI – The Devil in You (feat. The Broken View) with scenes from Overlord Movie 3: Sei Oukoku-hen
Our correspondence from Japan, Retara shares with us 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 Tunes
Retara's Tunes
Birthday of the Month
Saki Nikaido - Zombieland Saga
With a heart as fiery as her handlebars, Saki Nikaido stands out as Zombieland Saga’s baddest and boldest idol. Born on May 15, the legendary former biker gang leader brings grit, loyalty, and explosive charisma to Franchouchou. As fans celebrate her birthday, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what makes her the soul of the undead squad.
Saki Nikaido is a fiery and fearless character from Zombieland Saga, known for her tough biker persona and unshakeable confidence. Before her untimely death, she was the legendary leader of the all-female biker gang Dorami, feared and respected across Saga Prefecture. Revived as a zombie idol in the group Franchouchou, Saki brings her bold attitude, loyalty, and street smarts to the team.
Despite her rough exterior, she deeply cares for her fellow idols and often acts as their big sister. Her loud voice, wild spirit, and unwavering resolve make her a fan favourite and the heart of the group.
She celebrates her birth month with:
Ash Ketchum May 22, 1987
Deidara May 5
Gon Freecss May 5
Anime Challenge May 2025
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
Our anime challenge for May is How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, an anime that flips the typical isekai script. Instead of slaying monsters, protagonist Kazuya Souma uses economics, politics, and reform to save a crumbling fantasy realm.
Summoned as a “hero,” he surprises everyone by proposing policy changes and strategic governance. Based on Dojyomaru’s light novels, the anime blends nation-building with clever dialogue, detailed world mechanics, and a refreshing lack of overpowered magic.
With a pragmatic approach to fantasy crisis management and a growing cast of allies, it’s a must-watch for fans who prefer brains over brawn in their adventure anime.
Light novel of the Month
Spice and Wolf
Spice and Wolf is a thought-provoking light novel series by Isuna Hasekura, following Kraft Lawrence, a travelling merchant, and Holo, a wise wolf deity of harvest. Blending economics with medieval adventure, the series explores trade, currency, and negotiation, all wrapped in a slow-burning relationship between its clever leads.
Holo’s wit and charm contrast beautifully with Lawrence’s pragmatism, creating rich dialogue and emotional tension. It’s not a typical fantasy, Spice and Wolf trades action for intellect, making it a standout for readers who enjoy clever banter, strategy, and nuanced storytelling. The series is both charming and mature, with a unique, immersive atmosphere.
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: BananaJuju
BananaJuju, affectionately known as Juju, is a vibrant VTuber who embodies a cheeky monkey persona. Streaming from her whimsical “treehouse” in the fictional tropics of Scuffland, she brings a blend of humour, chaos, and energy to her content. Juju is active on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where she engages audiences with gaming sessions, lively discussions, and comedic skits.
Her distinctive style and bold personality have cultivated a dedicated fanbase, often referred to as the BananArmy. With a strong presence on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, Juju continues to expand her reach, offering a unique and entertaining experience in the VTuber community.
Cosplay
This month, we bring you a blend of ‘How To’ cosplay videos to inspire you for your next cosplay costume design and also some cosplay music videos.
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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