Konnichiwa fellow fanatiks. We bring you a fresh new Bento News filled with yummy content. We have a lot of Studio Ghibli news, a sneak peek in the newest horror manga from the pen of Junji Ito, we look at Japan’s rebuilding plan after the New Year’s Day earthquake disaster, chat about retro arcades and much more content to bite into. Itadakimasu!!
We dedicate this edition to Akira Toriyama who sadly went to the Anime Gods on 08 March 2024. He will be greatly missed.
Studio Ghibli Dream Team Produces Anime Ad for Ghibli Park
A new Studio Ghibli animated commercial was unveiled in February to commemorate the March 16th opening of its ‘Valley of Witches’ area at Ghibli Park. It features the epic moving castle from the legendary movie Howl’s Moving Castle. The movie had a great ‘Dream Team’ trio working in its production team, including Hayao Miyazaki (storyboard), Akihiko Yamashita (animation and animation direction), and Noboru Yoshida (art direction). These three reprised their roles to create this wonderful commercial. It is said that Miyazaki’s son Goro requested that his father work on the commercial.
The Ghibli Park opened in November 2023. Its Dondoko Forest, Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, and the Hill of Youth are all open to the public. The park covers about 7.1 hectares of the 194-hectare Aichi Memorial Park, which was the site of the World Expo 2005. The Mononoke Forest area of the park also opened in November 2023. Studio Ghibli also has The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, west Tokyo. The museum is known for its interactive exhibits, replicas of memorable Ghibli creations, and even features an impressive rotating screen of different Ghibli animated shorts.
Yubaba Conquers Sapporo Snow Festival
Every year, the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido Prefecture lures its guests to a beautiful wonderland of ice sculptures. Except for the dark years during the lockdown due to a virus we shall not name, when an online-only event happened in 2021 and 2022. Luckily, after four years, this event is back. Imagine artful snow and ice sculptures displayed in the open air in downtown Hokkaido, many of which are created by local businesses and citizens’ groups.
Visitors are asked to vote on the best works of art, and this year there were 78 different sculptures to choose from. The top sculpture that blew everyone away came from a character created from Studio Ghibli’s much-loved movie, Spirited Away. That winning character was Yubaba, the main antagonist and owner of the popular Aburaya bathhouse in the fairy realm of the movie. Some of the other sculptures on display include Sugimoto and Asirpa from Golden Kamuy, a mecha from Gundam Seed Freedom, and even characters from Jujutsu Kaisen.
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is returning.
Do you remember Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online which appeared in 2018 as a offshoot of the Sword Art Online franchise? If you enjoyed the series then you’ll be happy to know that there is finally a new season in the works – Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II. To those who never saw the series it follows the six-foot tall Karen Kohiruimaki, who is very insecure because of her height and bad at dealing with people in the real world. She finds happiness in the world of Gun Gale Online with her avatar Llenn, who is only 5 feet tall and wears pink, as in everything pink. She becomes a legend in the game and the anime is fun to watch, especially how she find balance in her real-world and game-world self.
Tomori Kusunoki is returning in her role as the voice of Llenn, and other returning cast members include Yōko Hikasa as Pitohui, Chinatsu Akasaki as Fukaziroh, and Kazuyuki Okitsu as M. Masayuki Sakoi (Princess Resurrection) is once again directing the anime at Studio 3Hz. Yōsuke Kuroda (Gundam Build Fighters, Mobile Suit Gundam 00) is also back to oversee the series scripts, and Yoshio Kosakai (Needless) is returning as the character designer and chief animation director, so the new season is in good hands. The anime is set to return to our screens later this year. If you start getting withdrawal symptoms after reading this there is always the light novels to wet your appetite.
New movie by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto in the works
Studio Dorian is producing an anime movie based on the ‘Look Back’ one-shot by Tatsuki Fujimoto, author of Chainsaw Man, which continues to generate excitement in the anime and manga community. This coming-of-age drama film will be directed by the well-known filmmaker, Kiyotaka Oshiyama. The Look Back anime film is scheduled to release on June 28, 2024, in Japan. The manga debuted on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ in July 2021 and garnered over 2.5 million views on its first day of release.
Here is the story according to Viz Media:
The overly confident Fujino and the shut-in Kyomoto couldn’t be more different, but a love of drawing manga brings these two small-town girls together. A poignant story of growing up and moving forward that only Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man, could have crafted.
Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' wins a BAFTA prize
Japanese animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” clinched the Animated Film category at the prestigious British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). The 77th edition’s winners were unveiled during a ceremony held on Sunday. According to reports by the BBC, this marks the inaugural triumph for a Japanese entry in this category. Additionally, “Oppenheimer” emerged as the night’s most decorated film, securing seven awards, including Best Film and Director. The biographical feature delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the key figure behind the development of the atomic bombs deployed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Notably, “The Boy and the Heron” has previously garnered accolades such as the Golden Globe and Annie Awards in the United States.
Akira Toriyama Passes Away
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Akira Toriyama, the visionary creator behind the beloved Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Super franchises. Toriyama, revered as the father of Dragon Ball, also left an indelible mark as a character designer for iconic game series like Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Jump Force.
His influence extended far beyond his own works, inspiring generations of artists, including Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail), Tite Kubo (Bleach), and many more.
On March 1, 2024, Toriyama succumbed to acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68. His passing was officially announced by Bird Studio on March 8. A small funeral will be held with his family.
As we bid farewell, we remember Toriyama for the joy and wonder he brought into our lives. From thrilling battles to heartwarming moments, his creations will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
A New One-Shot Manga of Junji Ito's Tomie
A new one-shot manga of Junji Ito’s Tomie series will debut in Asahi Shimbun’s Nemuki+ magazine in the next issue on April 12. Titled ‘Tomie: Control,’ the one-shot manga will continue the chilling narrative of the Tomie series. The Tomie horror manga has already inspired eight live action movies, and ComicsOne published a two-volume series in English in 2005, while Viz Media published the manga in an omnibus volume in 2016.
Tomie” centered around a beautiful and malevolent high school girl named Tomie. She possesses a supernatural ability to manipulate those around her, leading to obsession, madness, and grisly acts of violence. The series explores themes of obsession, desire, and the dark side of human nature.
Yuu Tanaka's Reincarnated as a Sword Web novel Ends
September 2015 an epic light novel series was launched on Shōsetsuka ni Narō website Yuu Tanaka’s Reincarnated as a Sword. The next year Gentosha began publishing the series with illustrations by LLO. After 17 volumes this series will end, when its final volume is to be released on March 29. Reincarnated as a Sword can also boast with its own manga which launched on Gentosha’s Denshi Birz website in December 2016 and a 12-episode anime adaptation which premiered in Japan, October 2022 and it seems there will be a second season.
What makes this franchise so epic? Well here is Seven Seas Entertainment’s description of the manga:
Reincarnated as a sentient weapon with memories of his past life, but not his name, a magical sword saves a young beastgirl from a life of slavery. Fran, the cat-eared girl, becomes his wielder, and wants only to grow stronger, while the sword wants to know why he is here. Together, the strange duo’s journey has only just begun!
Births rates in Japan and South Korea's alarming lows
The number of babies born in Japan last year hit a record low of 758,631, marking a 5.1 percent decline from 2022. Japan witnessed a postwar baby boom in 1947-1949, with births peaking at over 2.69 million in 1949. However, the birthrate declined over time, resurging briefly from 1971-1974 before steadily decreasing. In 2016, births fell below one million for the first time. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research predicts births to dip below 760,000 by 2035, a decade earlier than anticipated. Japan faces a looming demographic crisis, prompting the government to take action. Cabinet approved a bill to enhance childrearing support, offering increased allowances and childcare accessibility. Tokyo Metropolitan Government also introduced measures to alleviate the declining birthrate, including tuition subsidies for private high schools.
Meanwhile, South Korea grapples with a similar issue, with fertility rates dropping to 0.72 in 2023. President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasizes the need to address the underlying causes and implement effective solutions. Both ruling and opposition parties in South Korea propose measures to combat declining birthrates ahead of the general election. In Japan, marriage rates are also declining, with 489,281 marriages registered in 2023, down 5.9 percent from the previous year. Contributing factors include delayed marriages and increasing singlehood. Some companies, like a Tokyo office furniture maker, offer matchmaking services to employees, reflecting evolving trends in finding partners. As more people turn to social media and matchmaking apps to find love, there’s a growing emphasis on efficiency and rationality in marriage choices. The expansion of marriage matchmaking services is seen as crucial in fulfilling people’s desires for meaningful relationships and fostering suitable marriage arrangements.
Funds pledged to help rebuild after the New Year's Day Earthquake disaster
Japan will allocate an additional $660 million to rebuild areas devastated by a New Year’s Day earthquake, announced Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, bringing the total relief funds to $1.7 billion. Kishida made the announcement while visiting the affected areas, expressing concerns over the living conditions in temporary shelters. The government plans to approve the additional spending from the current fiscal year’s reserve funds in the coming days. The earthquake, measuring magnitude-7.5, struck the Ishikawa region, causing widespread destruction and claiming 241 lives. Efforts to recover include subsidies for rebuilding destroyed homes and construction of prefabricated temporary housing. Damage estimates range from $7.4 billion to $17.6 billion, considerably lower than the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, which caused $16.9 trillion in damage and resulted in about 18,500 deaths.
Attack on Titan voice star's stalker arrested
Yui Ishikawa, renowned voice actress known for her roles in anime such as Attack on Titan and Violet Evergarden received death threats and fearing for her life, she reported him to the police. The 25-year old, Fukuta Kishimoto was arrested and charged with intimidation. It is known that he posted a message “I’ll s*ab her with a knife and k*ll her” last November, which Ishikawa’s agency discoverd online, and he was arrested in December. It was also discovered that Kishimoto had a prior history of online harassment. In 2020, he threatened to murder TATSUKI, the creator of the first Kemono Friends anime, for which he was fined 500,000 yen (US$3,500) For his stalking of Ishikawa, he was sentenced to 12 months.
Ishikawa is well-loved for her role as Mikasa in Attack on Titan. She concluded that role after a ten-year run as Mikasa in November 2023. Her recent roles in anime include Mui in Undead Unluck and Lihua in The Apothecary Diaries.
Japanese Archaeologists finds relic in Turkey
Japanese archaeologists in Turkey unearthed a near-intact clay tablet from the Hittite Empire era, thriving over 3,000 years ago, at the Buklukale ruins. Led by Matsumura Kimiyoshi of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology, the team discovered the palm-sized tablet engraved with 70 lines of cuneiform characters last May. Dating back 3,300 years, the tablet features both Hittite and Hurrian languages, typically used for religious rituals. This significant find suggests Buklukale’s importance, possibly linked to the Hittite royal family. Matsumura anticipates further discoveries at the site, shedding light on the empire’s enigmatic history.
Trio of Chinese anime pirates busted
A Chinese website offering pirated Japanese anime faced legal action resulting in the first overseas operator conviction for copyright infringement, confirmed by a local court in Jiangsu Province. The trio behind “B9GOOD” were found guilty after charges were filed by the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA). Approximately 46,000 videos, including anime, were illegally uploaded, predominantly accessed from Japan. The main operator received a suspended three-year prison term and a $250,000 fine, while two women involved in video uploads received suspended one-year and eight-month prison sentences. The website generated illicit ad revenue of about 1.78 million yuan. CODA anticipates a significant impact in curbing piracy.
Gundam Breaker 4 announced
Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed Gundam Breaker 4 during Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, slated for 2024 release on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam. The trailer showcased customization, battles, and “ReBreak” by BACK-ON x Anna Suzuki. A Collector’s Edition features Gunbarrel Strike Gundam model, 45-song digital soundtrack, and steelbook. The series, starting in 2013, lets players build personalized mobile suits from real-life Gundam model kits and engage in battles. With a legacy spanning consoles and mobile, Gundam Breaker remains a beloved franchise, offering gamers the thrill of creating their unique mechs and joining epic battles against friends or AI.
Retro Arcade Games on the decline
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the decline of retro arcade games is felt keenly, particularly in Japan. Once bustling hubs of gaming culture, arcades are now facing dwindling patronage, with many establishments shuttering their doors. This decline is attributed to various factors, including the rise of home gaming consoles, mobile gaming, and changing consumer preferences. For gamers, the loss of retro arcades represents more than just a shift in entertainment venues—it’s a nostalgic farewell to a cherished era of gaming history. Moreover, the decline of retro arcades has significant implications for the Japanese gaming industry, which has long been synonymous with arcade culture. With fewer opportunities for budding developers to showcase their talents and for gamers to immerse themselves in arcade classics, the industry faces a challenge in preserving its rich heritage while adapting to modern gaming trends.
A paper diorama of the Ghibli museum.
Attention all Ghibli enthusiasts! Dive into whimsical creativity with the Ghibli Museum’s latest masterpiece: a vibrant 1/250 paper-craft model kit of its iconic main building! Crafted with love and meticulous detail, this kit captures the essence of the beloved museum. Get ready to immerse yourself in a miniature world filled with tiny trees, bustling walkways, and adorable characters. But wait, there’s more! Explore companion model kits like Totoro’s Fake Reception Area and the Cat Bathroom, each brimming with charm and nostalgia. Individually crafted and priced for fun at 2,860 yen! Don’t miss your chance to pre-order and embark on a magical journey into the heart of Ghibli. Get yours today and let the adventure begin! Click here to have a look on the Ghibli Museum Shop.
The Ghibli museum is enchanting, here is a video to showcase just how magical it is.
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