August 2026 Bento Plus
Konnichiwa, AnimeFanatiks! In our August 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. Use the menu on the right to easily jump between sections.
We are your monthly source of anime and Japanese news.
Just for you. Itadakimasu!
Upcoming events
Events in Nippon
August is one of the liveliest months in Japan. It combines traditional festivals (matsuri), ancestral observances, spectacular fireworks, and one national holiday.
August 2–7
Nebuta Matsuri
Location: Aomori
Highlight: Giant illuminated paper floats depicting gods, demons, and mythical warriors parading through Aomori City.
Features: Accompanied by musicians and dancers called haneto, it’s a visual feast with a dramatic flair. Fireworks on the last day add a sparkly finale.
August 11
Mountain Day (山の日 / Yama no Hi)
National public holiday
Celebrates Japan’s mountains and nature
Many Japanese begin their summer vacations around this date
Popular time for hiking and visiting national parks
August 12–15
Awa Odori
Location: Tokushima
Highlight: Japan’s most famous traditional dance festival, held in Tokushima on Shikoku Island.
What to Expect: Thousands of dancers, rhythmic taiko drumming, flutes, shamisen, and a carnival-like atmosphere.
Tip: The chant “Yatto sa, yatto yatto!” will be stuck in your head all week.
August 13–16
Festival: Obon
Location: Nation-wide
Significance: Obon is a Buddhist event honouring the spirits of ancestors. It’s believed that during this time, ancestral spirits return to visit their living relatives.
Traditions: Families clean graves, light lanterns, and perform Bon Odori (folk dances) at local festivals. It’s a deeply spiritual time, and many people return to their hometowns, making it one of Japan’s busiest travel seasons.
August 16
Festival: Daimonji Gozan Okuribi
Location : Kyoto
Event: Gigantic bonfires in the shape of kanji characters are lit on five mountains around Kyoto.
Purpose: To guide the spirits of the dead back to the spirit world, marking the end of Obon. It’s a moving sight, best viewed from a rooftop or hillside.
SA Events
UPCon
DATE: 1 August 2026
Venue: UP main campus Piazza
Game of the month
Formula Legends: A Stylish Arcade Racing Experience Inspired by Motorsport History
Introduction
Formula Legends is an indie racing game that celebrates the golden eras of open-wheel motorsport with a refreshing blend of arcade gameplay and strategic racing. Rather than aiming for ultra-realistic simulation, the game captures the excitement of legendary Formula racing through accessible controls, colourful visuals, and circuits inspired by iconic tracks from around the world. Whether you’re a lifelong racing enthusiast or simply looking for a fun motorsport experience, Formula Legends delivers fast-paced action with a nostalgic twist.
Overview
Formula Legends features a career mode where players progress through multiple decades of fictional Formula racing, unlocking new cars and championships along the way. Each vehicle reflects the changing technology and design philosophies of different eras, giving races a unique feel without overwhelming newcomers.
Pros:
Accessible gameplay that is easy to learn but rewarding to master.
Distinctive low-poly art style with vibrant visuals.
Multiple generations of Formula-inspired cars and circuits.
Engaging career progression that encourages replayability.
Balanced arcade handling suitable for both casual and experienced players.
Cons:
Players seeking a hardcore racing simulator may find the handling too forgiving.
Limited official licensing means teams, drivers, and circuits are fictional.
AI can occasionally feel predictable during longer championship events.
Conclusion:
Formula Legends successfully combines nostalgic motorsport inspiration with modern arcade racing mechanics. Its charming presentation, enjoyable handling, and satisfying progression make it an excellent choice for players who want thrilling Formula-style racing without the steep learning curve of simulation titles. While the lack of official licences and realistic physics may disappoint simulation purists, the game’s accessible design and entertaining gameplay more than compensate. For anyone searching for an enjoyable indie racing game that captures the spirit of Formula racing, Formula Legends is well worth adding to your collection.
Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?!: A Hilarious Isekai-Inspired Adventure
Introduction
Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?! is a quirky indie game that playfully embraces one of anime’s most famous running jokes… the legendary “Truck-kun.” Instead of serving as the vehicle that sends heroes to another world, this time Truck-kun becomes an unlikely ally, supporting players throughout a humorous adventure inspired by the isekai genre. Packed with colourful visuals, light-hearted storytelling, and entertaining gameplay, the title offers a fresh twist on familiar anime tropes while delivering plenty of laughs for genre fans.
The game blends action, exploration, and comedic moments as players navigate a fantasy world filled with eccentric characters, challenging encounters, and unexpected surprises. Its tongue-in-cheek humour celebrates the conventions of isekai anime without taking itself too seriously, making it enjoyable for both longtime anime enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Charming artwork and accessible gameplay further enhance the experience, creating an adventure that is easy to pick up and difficult to put down.
Conclusion:
Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?! stands out by transforming one of anime’s most iconic memes into the star of its own adventure. With its witty writing, engaging gameplay, and affectionate parody of the isekai genre, it delivers an entertaining experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. Fans of anime-inspired games, comedy, and light-hearted fantasy adventures will find plenty to enjoy in this unique indie title, making it a memorable addition to any isekai fan’s gaming library.
Itadakimasu Eats
Ekiben: Japan’s Delicious Railway Tradition
So you are hungry but have to board the bullet train, sounds like a good time to get yourself an ekiben, An ekiben (駅弁) is a special type of bento lunch box sold at railway stations and aboard long-distance trains throughout Japan. The name combines eki (station) and ben from bento (packed meal). First appearing in the late 19th century during Japan’s railway expansion, ekiben quickly became a beloved travel tradition, allowing passengers to enjoy regional cuisine while watching the countryside pass by.
Unlike ordinary convenience store lunches, ekiben are carefully designed to showcase local flavours and ingredients. A station in Hokkaido might offer fresh seafood, while one in Kobe features premium wagyu beef, and stations in Kyushu often highlight local chicken or pork dishes. Many ekiben are beautifully arranged in lacquer-style boxes, ceramic containers, or decorative packaging that reflects the region’s culture and landmarks, making them popular souvenirs as well as meals.
Seasonal ingredients also play an important role, with limited-edition ekiben celebrating cherry blossom season, autumn harvests, or regional festivals. Their presentation follows the Japanese philosophy that food should be appreciated with both the eyes and the palate.
For many travellers, buying an ekiben before boarding a Shinkansen is an essential part of the journey. More than just a convenient meal, an ekiben offers a delicious snapshot of Japan’s diverse culinary traditions, turning every train ride into a memorable gastronomic adventure.
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.
Takeshi's Tunes
First choice is Powerwolf – Call Of The Wild with scenes from BOFURI I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense. His second choice is bbno$ & Rich Brian – edamame with scenes from various anime and his third choice is ABOKAI – Stand on This Edge with scenes from Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 4th Season.
Ookami's Tunes
His choice is SABATON – Screaming Eagles with scenes from Girls’ Frontline
Daisuke Tunes
First AMV choice is NEFFEX – ALL GAS NO BRAKES with scenes from various anime. His second choice is John Michael Howell – Queen And Poet with scenes from various anime. His last choice is My Light _ Tokyo AMV with scenes from Tsuihou sareta Tensei Juukishi wa Game Chishiki de Musou suru
Kuroyuki Tunes
Her AMV choice is A NEFFEX – ASHES with scenes from Cornegra.
Retara's Tunes
Our correspondence from Japan shares with us this impressive Wotagei video.
Please support the original music artists by looking them up on YouTube, Spotify and other media and give them your appreciation and support!
Birthday of the Month
Buggy the Clown: One Piece's Luckiest Pirate
Buggy the Clown, who’se birthday is August 8th, is one of the most entertaining and unpredictable characters in One Piece. Introduced as one of Monkey D. Luffy’s earliest enemies, Buggy possesses the powers of the Bara Bara no Mi (Chop-Chop Fruit), allowing him to split his body into floating pieces while remaining immune to slashing attacks.
Despite often being portrayed as cowardly, greedy, and comically incompetent, Buggy has an extraordinary knack for surviving impossible situations. Through a combination of incredible luck, misunderstandings, and exaggerated reputation, he rises from a minor pirate captain to become one of the world’s most influential figures. His career eventually leads him to become a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and later one of the Four Emperors (Yonko).
Buggy’s larger-than-life personality, theatrical flair, and accidental success have made him a fan favourite, proving that in One Piece, fortune can be just as powerful as strength.
He share their birth month with:
August Anime Challenge
Overtake!
Overtake! is a sports anime that combines the excitement of motorsport with an emotional story about ambition, friendship, and personal growth. Set in the world of Formula 4 racing, the series follows freelance photographer Kouya Madoka, whose passion for photography has faded after a traumatic experience. His life changes when he meets Haruka Asahina, a determined young driver with dreams of reaching the top despite limited financial resources.
As Kouya begins documenting Haruka’s racing journey, he gradually rediscovers his own purpose while supporting the underdog Komaki Motors team. Together, they face fierce rivals, technical challenges, and the relentless pressure of competitive motorsport, learning valuable lessons about perseverance and teamwork along the way.
Unlike many racing anime that focus solely on speed and spectacle, Overtake! places equal emphasis on its characters, exploring themes of grief, healing, and finding the courage to move forward. The beautifully animated race sequences capture the intensity of Formula racing, while the quieter moments give the cast emotional depth and authenticity.
Whether you’re a motorsport enthusiast (aka a Petrolhead) or simply enjoy heartfelt character-driven stories, Overtake! delivers an inspiring blend of adrenaline, emotion, and determination that crosses the finish line with style.
Light novel of the Month
Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World is a mystery and psychological fantasy based on the light novel series by Keiichi Sigsawa. In Kino no Tabi -the Beautiful World- we meet Kino, a traveller with a talking motorcycle named Hermes.
Together they travel from country to country, never staying longer than three days. Kino believes that is enough time to discover everything truly important about a place. Rather than searching for adventure, Kino observes. Every country presents a different philosophy, moral dilemma, or way of life, leaving viewers to decide for themselves whether its people have found happiness, or merely another way to survive.
And because a lone traveller needs to protect herself, Kino carries several weapon, she carries several weapons for protection: a .44 revolver called “The Cannon,” a .22 automatic pistol named “The Woodsman,” and a collection of knives, one of which can even fire .22 bullets from its hilt.
Prepare for a whimsical, humorous, and occasionally dark adventure through a beautifully crafted world where appearances can be deceiving, and each episode may leave you with a lesson as profound as those found in a Studio Ghibli move. So put on your biking hat and your driving goggles. Strap in your weapons, check the bike’s oil and let’s go exploring.
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 its 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.
Cosplay
Kleiner Pixel shares cosplay makeup tips that may just level you up! If you lke The Seven Deadly Sins anime and are looking for ideas to cosplay to that theme, we have a stunnig cosplay video just for you.
Japanese Art Forms
Kamisuki (紙漉き): The Timeless Japanese Art of Handmade Washi Paper
Kamisuki (紙漉き) is the traditional Japanese art of handmade papermaking, a craft that has been practiced for over 1,300 years. Using natural fibres from plants such as kōzo (paper mulberry), mitsumata, and gampi, artisans create washi, a durable, lightweight paper renowned for its strength, beauty, and versatility. The process involves harvesting the fibres, boiling and cleaning them, then carefully suspending them in water before skilfully lifting and shaking a bamboo screen to form thin, even sheets.
Unlike mass-produced paper, each sheet of washi is unique, reflecting the artisan’s precision and years of experience. Washi is used in calligraphy, origami, traditional paintings, books, sliding shoji doors, lanterns, and even modern fashion and interior design.
Today, kamisuki remains an important part of Japan’s cultural heritage. Regions such as Mino, Echizen, and Tosa are especially famous for producing exceptional washi, with techniques passed down through generations. In 2014, traditional Japanese handmade washi production was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its cultural significance.
More than just a craft, kamisuki embodies patience, harmony with nature, and a deep respect for tradition, ensuring this remarkable art continues to inspire artisans and admirers around the world.
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!
Sugoi Shorts
We share fun YouTube shorts about anime, cosplay, music and everything inbetween!
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