Bento Plus August 2024
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa fellow fanatiks. We bring you a fresh new Bento News filled with yummy content. We have a lot of Anime and Manga news, salivating game news as well as news from Japan as well as the world’s view on happenings in Japan. Itadakimasu!!
Nippon Events and Festivals August 2024
August is a lively month in Japan, filled with various events and festivals that celebrate the end of spring. Here are some notable Japanese events and festivals that typically take place in August.
August 12-15
Awa Odori (Tokushima): One of Japan’s most famous dance festivals, Awa Odori features thousands of dancers parading through the streets in traditional costumes, performing energetic and rhythmic dances. It’s part of the Obon celebrations, attracting spectators from all over the country.
August 13-15
Obon Festival (Nationwide): Obon is a traditional Buddhist event to honor the spirits of ancestors. It involves rituals, family gatherings, and Bon Odori dances. Lanterns are often lit to guide spirits back to the afterlife, with various local festivals and ceremonies taking place across Japan.
August 14
Tokushima Shinmachi River Fireworks ( Tokushima): As part of the Awa Odori festivities, this fireworks display lights up the night sky over the Shinmachi River, creating a stunning backdrop for the ongoing dances and celebrations.
August 15-16
Yamaga Toro Matsuri (Kumamoto): Held in Yamaga City, this festival is famous for the “Toro Odori,” where women in summer kimonos dance gracefully with glowing paper lanterns on their heads. The festival is a beautiful blend of light, dance, and tradition.
August 16
Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi (Kyoto): Also known as the “Daimonji” festival, this event marks the end of Obon. Giant bonfires in the shape of kanji characters are lit on five mountains surrounding Kyoto, symbolizing the spirits of the deceased returning to the afterlife.
South African Events
Anime Meetup
24 August @ Dragon Town
Starts: 14:00 – Ends 20:00
Theme: Gangs, Delinquents and Organised Crime
Gravel Road Distribution Group is proud to present South Africa’s first-ever dedicated Anime film festival, spotlighting the iconic Studio Ghibli. Launching this August, the festival will feature beloved masterpieces such as “My Neighbour Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and “Howl’s Moving Castle,” bringing these enchanting tales to cinemas nationwide.
Attendees can also enjoy immersive experiences and themed activities, celebrating the timeless legacy of Studio Ghibli.
Save The Anime Festival 2024 dates!
★ My Neighbor Totoro – From 8 August
★ Spirited Away – From 23 August
★ Howl’s Moving Castle – From 6 September
Enjoy these anime masterpieces, created in Japan, by Japanese!
Game of the month
Tokyo Mafia Simulator
Tokyo Mafia Simulator is an action-packed game that plunges players into the gritty underworld of Tokyo’s criminal organizations. As a rising gangster, you must navigate the treacherous streets, engage in high-stakes heists, and climb the ranks of the city’s most feared mafia syndicates. Players will build their criminal empire by recruiting allies, managing illicit businesses, and outmaneuvering rivals.
The game offers a dynamic open world where choices impact the storyline, with intense combat, strategic decision-making, and immersive missions. Tokyo Mafia Simulator delivers a thrilling experience of power, betrayal, and survival in Japan’s dark underbelly.
Press the button below for more detail.
Itadakimasu Eats
Eel
In Japan, eating eel, or unagi, is a cherished tradition, especially during the hot summer months. Rich in nutrients and believed to boost stamina, eel is commonly enjoyed on Doyo no Ushi no Hi, a midsummer day when energy levels are thought to dip. This custom dates back to the Edo period, where eel was promoted as a remedy for fatigue. Grilled eel, often served as unadon (eel over rice), is celebrated for its savory taste and health benefits. The practice symbolizes Japan’s deep connection to seasonal eating and the pursuit of balance and well-being through food.
A manga that talks a lot about eating eel is Gokudo Meshi. Gokudo Meshi is a unique culinary manga that delves into the lives of inmates in a Japanese prison, where Yakuza members gather to share their most memorable meals. The story revolves around a New Year’s Eve tradition where prisoners recount their best meal experiences, with the most mouthwatering tale winning a prize. Through these stories, readers explore the characters’ pasts and the importance of food in Japanese culture. Notably, Yakuza bosses often highlight eel (unagi) as their favorite dish, reflecting its status as a symbol of strength and endurance, deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.
We present a few extra videos to spice it up for our foodies!
New AMV's
We’re rocking some great amv’s this month. First up is Takeshi’s choices. His first AMV is based on the game Epic Seven, featuring the song Risk It All (ft. Rory Hope) by Jim Yosef. His second choice is the song (I Just) Died In Your Arms by Lift The Curse featuring the anime movie Spy x Family Movie: Code: White, SPY×FAMILY CODE: White. Ookami brings us the song Be Alright by Dean Lewis featuring scenes from various anime, followed by Believer by CLOWN featuring scenes from Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria. Last but not least we have Shiro’s choices. First song is Last Resort by Boris Harizanov, followed by a song by Jim Yosef featuring scenes from Tower of God Season 2.
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's Tunes
Birthday of the Month
Buggy the Clown (One Piece)
Buggy the Clown, a recurring character in One Piece, is a flamboyant pirate captain known for his red nose, blue hair, and penchant for theatrics. Once a crew member under the legendary Gol D. Roger, Buggy possesses the Chop-Chop Fruit, allowing him to disassemble and reassemble his body at will. Despite his bumbling nature and comical mishaps, Buggy’s cunning and survival instincts have earned him a notorious reputation. His charisma and knack for gathering followers lead to his eventual rise as one of the Shichibukai, showcasing his unexpected influence in the pirate world. Buggy the Clown celebrates his birthday on August the 8th.
Notably, several other anime characterscelebrate their birthdays this month:
Katsuki Bakugo (My Hero Academia) – August 16
Kiyoko Shimizu (Haikyuu!!) – August 11
Shikamaru Nara (Naruto) – August 22
Anime Challenge August 2024
Great Teacher Onizuka
Our challenge this month is a classic, GTO also known as Great Teacher Onizuka. Great Teacher Onizuka follows the story of Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old former gang leader and martial artist who decides to become the greatest high school teacher in Japan. With a brash personality and unconventional teaching methods, Onizuka lands a job at the prestigious Holy Forest Academy, where he is assigned to the most problematic class in the school. The students, notorious for driving teachers to quit, initially try to sabotage Onizuka, but they soon realize that he’s unlike any teacher they’ve ever encountered.
Onizuka’s unique approach involves using his street smarts, humor, and even physical strength to connect with his students and solve their personal issues. Beneath his tough exterior, Onizuka genuinely cares for his students and goes to great lengths to help them, often putting himself in dangerous situations. The series blends comedy, drama, and action as it explores themes of redemption, friendship, and the impact of a truly dedicated teacher.
Netflix viewers will be happy to know that the anime is currently available on Netflix.
Light novel of the Month
Durarara!!
Durarara!! is a light novel series set in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district, where urban legends and strange happenings collide with the lives of its diverse inhabitants. The story follows Mikado Ryūgamine, a high school student who moves to the city seeking excitement. He quickly gets entangled with the enigmatic and headless “Black Rider,” Celty Sturluson, an underground doctor, gang members, and various other eccentric characters. As secrets unravel and conflicts emerge, Mikado discovers that Ikebukuro is far from ordinary. The series weaves together multiple storylines of mystery, supernatural events, and the darker side of urban life in a chaotic, interconnected narrative.
Manga Challenge August 2024
Mafia's Daughter: Operation Makeover
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.
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!
All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the videos displayed on this page belong to their respective owners or channel. AnimeFanatika does not claim any right over them and please support the creators by subscribing and liking their content. Hero picture by Freepik (www.freepik.com).
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