AnimeFanatika – Anime Club in South Africa

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 July 2024

July 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 July.

July

Gion Matsuri (Kyoto): Runs the entire month of July, with major float processions on the 17th and 24th. This is one of Japan’s most famous and elaborate festivals.

July 5-6

Sake Fair 2024: The Sake Fair at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is a great place for sake Enthusiast featuring 1,700 alcoholic beverage makers from 45 different prefectures.

July 5-7

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival (Kanagawa): Celebrated from July 5-7, this festival is known for its colorful streamers and decorations celebrating the star festival.

July 13-16

Mitama Matsuri (Tokyo): From July 13-16 at Yasukuni Shrine, featuring over 30,000 lanterns and traditional performances.

July 24-25

Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka): Held on July 24-25, featuring a spectacular river procession and fireworks display.

South African Events

Starts: 14:00 – Ends 20:00
Theme: Summer Season Releases

Be THE VERY BEST at the ultimate BATTLE crossover event: Pokémon x Yu-Gi-Oh! x Digimon x Angelic Layer x Beyblade x Medabots! 🌟 Hosted by @ShazzWinchesterrrr & her super squad!

🗓 Date: Saturday, July 27th, 2024
📍 Location: Felo, Hatfield PTA
⏰ Time: 18:00 – 22:00

Get ready for:

🎉 QuizzNightz: Test your knowledge!
🌌 AfterDark Hangout: Mix, mingle, and nerd out with us!

Win epic prizes! More info on IG @NerdNightzz

Don’t miss out on the ultimate anime experience! 🚫 No U18s allowed. Standard T’s & C’s apply.

Tickets https://qkt.io/NNMONSTER
#NerdNightzz #Anime #Events

Game of the month

The God Eater Trilogy: A Dynamic Evolution in Action RPGs

The God Eater trilogy, developed by Shift and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, is a series of action role-playing games that has captivated gamers with its intense gameplay and rich storytelling. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players take on the role of God Eaters, warriors armed with the God Arc, a weapon capable of shifting between melee and ranged forms to combat the monstrous Aragami.

God Eater (2010) introduced players to this dystopian world where humanity’s survival hinges on defeating these god-like creatures. The game stood out for its fast-paced combat and ability to customize the God Arc, providing a blend of strategy and action. The narrative, centered on a group of diverse characters, delved into themes of sacrifice and survival, establishing a strong emotional connection with players.

God Eater 2 (2013) expanded on the original’s foundations with improved mechanics and a deeper storyline. Set three years after the first game, it introduced new Aragami and God Arc transformations. The sequel’s narrative complexity increased, exploring the consequences of wielding such power and the ethical dilemmas faced by the protagonists. The Blood Unit, a new team of God Eaters, added fresh dynamics to both the gameplay and the story, enhancing the overall experience.

God Eater 3 (2018) took the series to new heights with enhanced graphics and even more dynamic combat. Players faced off against powerful Ash Aragami in devastated landscapes, utilizing new Burst Arts and Engage System to turn the tide of battle. The game also introduced adaptive Aragami that evolved during fights, requiring players to constantly adapt their strategies. The narrative continued to explore the themes of human resilience and camaraderie amidst chaos.

Overall, the God Eater trilogy has evolved from a niche action RPG to a beloved series known for its compelling stories, innovative combat mechanics, and deep character development. Each installment has built upon its predecessor, offering players a consistently engaging and immersive experience. Whether for its intense battles or its thought-provoking narratives, the God Eater trilogy remains a standout in the action RPG genre.

At the time of publishing this article you are able to save 93% on The God Eater Trilogy on Steam. Press the button below for more detail.

Itadakimasu Eats​

The Raindrop Cake

The Raindrop Cake, also known as “Mizu Shingen Mochi,” is a unique Japanese dessert that resembles a large, clear raindrop. Made primarily from mineral water and agar, it has a delicate, jelly-like texture and is often served with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and kuromitsu (black sugar syrup). The cake is visually striking, resembling a droplet of water and has a subtly refreshing taste. It gained popularity for its minimal ingredients and ethereal appearance, making it a popular treat in Japan and among dessert enthusiasts worldwide.

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 anime Heion Sedai no Idaten-tachi, featuring the song Ticking Away ft. Grabbitz & bbno$ by Valorant. His second choice is the song Volcano (feat. Scarlett) by Jim Yosef featuring various anime. Ookami brings us the song DAMN by ENMY featuring scenes from Kaiju NO.8 followed by Ghosts by ONLAP & LANSDOWNE featuring scenes from Mushoku Tensei II: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2. Last but not least we have Shiro’s choices. First song is Everything I got by Shiah & Clarx featuring scenes from Wind Breaker (season 1), followed by Give it 100 by Saint Cross featuring scenes from various anime.

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

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (Bleach)

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez is a prominent antagonist in the anime and manga series Bleach, created by Tite Kubo. His first appearance was in Bleach Ep. 116 “The Evil Eye, Aizen Again” (2007).

He is the 6th Espada in Sosuke Aizen’s army of Arrancar. Grimmjow is characterized by his blue hair, cyan eyes, and a permanently fixed scowl. His Hollow mask fragment is a jawbone, and his number “6” tattoo is located on his back. Grimmjow is known for his fierce combat skills, unyielding ambition, and a deep-seated desire for battle, which often puts him at odds with the protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki. His backstory reveals a once-starving Hollow who rose to power through sheer determination and strength. Grimmjow’s birthday is on July 31st.

Notably, several other anime characters share this birthday: Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail), Lenalee Lee (D.Gray-man), Vegeta (Dragon Ball), Suguha Kirigaya/Leafa (Sword Art Online), and Hajime Hinata (Danganronpa). 

Anime Challenge July 2024

So I'm a Spider, So What? (Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?)

So I’m a Spider, So What? (Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?) is an isekai anime series based on the light novel by Okina Baba. The story follows a high school girl who is reincarnated as a spider monster in a fantasy world after a mysterious explosion kills her and her classmates. Waking up in a dangerous dungeon filled with deadly creatures, she must rely on her wits, survival instincts, and newly acquired spider abilities to navigate the perilous environment.

The anime uniquely splits its narrative between two timelines: the present, where the spider struggles to grow stronger and evolve, and the past, which reveals the fates of her reincarnated classmates. The protagonist’s journey from a weak spider to a formidable creature is filled with intense battles, humor, and clever strategies. Her inner monologues provide a comedic yet insightful commentary on her survival tactics and the challenges she faces.

The series is praised for its engaging storyline, character development, and unique take on the isekai genre. With a mix of action, adventure, and comedy, So I’m a Spider, So What? offers an entertaining and fresh perspective on life in a fantasy world, a perfect anime for our July anime challenge.

Light novel of the Month

Cooking with Wild Game

Cooking with Wild Game is a captivating light novel series written by EDA, with illustrations by Kochimo. The story follows Asuta Tsurumi, a passionate young chef who is suddenly transported to a fantasy world after a tragic fire. In this new and primitive land, Asuta encounters Ai Fa, a hunter from the Morihenna tribe, who saves his life.

Determined to survive and share his culinary skills, Asuta introduces the concept of cooking with wild game to the tribe. Using his knowledge of modern cooking techniques, he begins to prepare delicious dishes using the unfamiliar ingredients of this world. His innovative recipes not only tantalize the taste buds of the tribe members but also help to improve their overall quality of life.

As Asuta adapts to his new environment, he builds relationships with the tribespeople, particularly Ai Fa, who becomes both a friend and a formidable ally. Together, they navigate the challenges of this harsh world, including hunting dangerous beasts, dealing with rival tribes, and uncovering the mysteries of the land.

The light novel combines elements of fantasy, cooking, and slice-of-life, offering readers a unique and heartwarming narrative. With detailed descriptions of mouth-watering dishes and a focus on community and survival, Cooking with Wild Game provides an engaging and flavorful reading experience.

Manga Challenge July 2024

So I'm a Spider, So What? (Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?)

Yes, we’re going a little crazy as we have both the anime and manga as challenges in July. So I’m a Spider, So What? (Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?) is a manga adaptation of the popular light novel series by Okina Baba, illustrated by Asahiro Kakashi. 

With detailed artwork that brings the fantastical dungeon and its inhabitants to life, the manga captures the essence of the protagonist’s perilous journey and the evolving fantasy world. Fans of the isekai genre appreciate the unique premise, character development, and the blend of action, adventure, and humor in So I’m a Spider, So What?.

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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