Bento Plus September 2024
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa, Fanatiks! Bento Plus is your one-stop entertainment hub! We bring you the coolest Japan-related events from both Japan and South Africa, mouthwatering Japanese food content, and fun monthly anime and manga challenges. Plus, we’ve got rocking AMVs, exciting contests, and so much more to keep your otaku heart happy. Dive into the world of anime with us and let’s geek out together!
Nippon Events and Festivals September2024
September 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 September.
The third Monday of September
Respect for the Aged Day (Keirō no Hi): A national holiday dedicated to honoring elderly citizens, showing respect, and celebrating their contributions to society.
Around September 23
Autumnal Equinox (Shūbun no Hi):A national holiday marking the changing of seasons, it is a time to pay respects to ancestors and visit family graves.
Late September to early October
Fukuro Matsuri: A large traditional festival in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, involving taiko drumming, portable shrines (mikoshi), and parades.
Mid-September
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri: Held in Kishiwada, Osaka, this thrilling festival features large wooden floats (danjiri) pulled through the streets at high speeds.
Late September
Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri: Also known as the “Daimonji” festival, A festival in Gifu City celebrating the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga with parades, historical reenactments, and performances.
These festivals combine cultural traditions, historical significance, and the celebration of nature’s transition to autumn.
South African Events
Anime Meetup
21 September @ Dragon Town
Starts: 14:00 – Ends 20:00
Theme: Super Sentai and Mecha
Japanese Festival at Central Square
20 - 22 September at 14:00
Event by Central Square Menlyn Maine and Embassy of Japan in South Africa
Central Square, Menlyn Maine, Corner Aramist and Corobay Ave, Waterkloof Glen Ext, 2, 0181 Pretoria, South Africa
Duration: 3 days
Immerse yourself in the beauty and traditions of Japan at the Japanese Festival!
Central Square Menlyn Maine and the Embassy of Japan are proud to present a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture from 20-22 September 2024.
Experience the wonders of Japan, including:
Ikebana:
The art of flower arrangement
Bonsai:
Miniature trees cultivated with precision and artistry
Samurai Armour:
Witness the awe-inspiring armour of Japan’s legendary warriors
Japanese Wedding Gowns (Uchikake):
Admire the exquisite beauty of traditional wedding attire
Karate:
Dynamic demonstrations of this martial art
And much more!
Game of the month
Gundam Breaker 4: A Comprehensive Review
Gundam Breaker 4 is the latest installment in the popular mecha franchise, offering fans an exhilarating experience of building, customizing, and battling their own Gundam units. The game continues the series’ tradition of providing an in-depth customization system, allowing players to mix and match parts from various Gundam models to create unique and powerful machines.
The game has garnered attention for its extensive customization options, enhanced graphics, and new gameplay mechanics, but it also has its share of drawbacks.
Pros:
Customization Depth: Gundam Breaker 4 offers an unmatched level of customization. Players can choose from a vast array of parts, weapons, and abilities to create a truly unique Gundam. The customization system is deep and intuitive, allowing for endless combinations and strategies.
Visuals and Graphics: The game’s graphics are a significant step up from its predecessors. The detailed mecha designs, vibrant colors, and impressive battle animations bring the Gundam universe to life. The environments are also well-crafted, adding to the overall immersion.
New Gameplay Mechanics: Gundam Breaker 4 introduces new mechanics, including an improved combat system with more fluid controls and combo possibilities. The addition of team-based missions and co-op modes enhances the multiplayer experience, making it more engaging for players to collaborate and compete.
Fan Service: The game is packed with references and content from across the Gundam franchise, making it a treat for long-time fans. The inclusion of iconic mobile suits, characters, and music from various Gundam series adds to the nostalgic appeal.
Cons:
Repetitive Gameplay: Despite the new mechanics, the core gameplay can become repetitive over time. Missions often follow similar patterns, which may lead to a sense of monotony, especially during longer play sessions.
Storyline: The game’s narrative is considered one of its weaker aspects. While it serves as a backdrop for the action, it lacks depth and may not captivate players looking for a strong story-driven experience.
Difficulty Balance: Some players have noted that the difficulty can be uneven, with certain missions being overly challenging while others feel too easy. This inconsistency can lead to frustration, particularly for newcomers to the series.
Microtransactions: Gundam Breaker 4 includes microtransactions for cosmetic items and additional content. While not necessary to progress, they can feel intrusive and may detract from the overall experience for some players.
Conclusion:
Gundam Breaker 4 is a solid addition to the franchise, offering a rich and immersive experience for fans of Gundam and mecha games. Its deep customization options, improved graphics, and engaging gameplay make it a must-play for enthusiasts. However, the repetitive nature of the missions, a weak storyline, and microtransactions might diminish the appeal for some players. Overall, Gundam Breaker 4 stands as a strong entry in the series, delivering the thrill of building and battling custom Gundams.
Press the button below for more detail.
Itadakimasu Eats
Festival Foods
September is a month filled with festivals and we take a look at two iconic festival dishes from Japan; Okonomiyaki and Yakisoba.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese savory pancake made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, pork, or vegetables. The name “okonomiyaki” translates to “grilled as you like it,” reflecting its customizable nature. It’s often topped with savory sauces, mayonnaise, seaweed flakes, and bonito flakes.
There are two main styles of okonomiyaki:
Hiroshima-style:
In this version, ingredients are layered rather than mixed, and it typically includes a layer of noodles (soba or udon) and a fried egg. The pancake is built up on the grill, with each layer cooked separately.
Osaka-style (Kansai-style):
The more common style, where the batter and ingredients are mixed together before being grilled. It’s simpler and quicker to prepare compared to Hiroshima-style.
There are also regional variations throughout Japan, making okonomiyaki a dish that changes with location, reflecting local ingredients and tastes.
Yakisoba
Yakisoba is a popular Japanese stir-fried noodle dish made from wheat-based noodles, similar to ramen. It is typically cooked with sliced vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and onions, along with meat (often pork or chicken) and flavored with a tangy, savory yakisoba sauce, similar to Worcestershire sauce. Toppings often include pickled ginger (beni shoga), seaweed flakes (aonori), and bonito flakes (katsuobushi).
There are several types of yakisoba:
Classic Yakisoba:
The most common version, with noodles stir-fried with pork and vegetables, flavored with yakisoba sauce.
Seafood Yakisoba:
Includes shrimp, squid, or other seafood, giving a different flavor profile.
Salt Yakisoba (Shio Yakisoba):
Instead of using a sauce, this version is seasoned with salt and pepper, offering a lighter taste.
Sauce Yakisoba:
Heavily flavored with a dark, sweet-savory yakisoba sauce.
Yakisoba is often served at festivals and street food stalls in Japan.
Find out more with these sugoi videos.
New AMV's
The AnimeFanatika crew chose some killer AMVs for you this month. First up is Shiro’s choices. The first video features the song CEO by Neffex, followed by the song Losing My Mind (feat. Cole Rolland) by ONLAP with scenes from the anime Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria.
Ookami’s choices start off with Society of Super Villains’s Evil is my Middle Name featuring scenes from Boku no Hero Academia The Movie 4: You’re Next, followed by the song I am still here by Orlost, UNDEFYND & Nina Sung featuring scenes from various anime.
Takeshi’s first choice is the song Build to last by Neffex with scenes from the anime Shinmai Ossan Boukensha, followed by This is why we Bleed by Leader with scenes from Black Myth Wukong.
Please do support the original music artists by looking them up on YouTube, Spotify and other media and give them your appreciation and support!
Shiro's Tunes
Ookami's Tunes
Takeshi's Tunes
Birthday of the Month
Emilia, Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World
Emilia, the half-elf heroine of Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World, is a kind and determined character who captures the hearts of many with her gentle nature and inner strength.
Despite facing prejudice due to her resemblance to the Witch of Envy, Emilia remains compassionate and selfless, always striving to help those in need. Her relationship with Subaru is central to the story, highlighting her growth as she learns to trust and rely on others.
Emilia’s resilience and desire to create a better world make her an inspiring figure in the series. Emilia celebrates her birthday on the 23rd of September.
She celebrates her birthday with Inuyasha from Inuyasha – September 7, Neji Hyuga from Naruto – September 3 and Chitoge Kirisaki from Nisekoi – September 1.
Anime Challenge September 2024
Sailor Moon
This month our challenge is the magical girl anime, Sailor Moon, the anime that started the Magical Girl Genre! Sailor Moon is a beloved anime that follows the adventures of Usagi Tsukino, an ordinary schoolgirl who transforms into Sailor Moon, a magical warrior destined to protect Earth from evil forces. Alongside her team of Sailor Guardians—Sailor Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus—Usagi battles villains, unravels cosmic mysteries, and searches for the lost Moon Princess.
The anime, based on Naoko Takeuchi’s manga, blends action, romance, and humor with themes of friendship and self-discovery. Known for its empowering message, it was a pioneer in popularizing “magical girl” anime worldwide.
At its heart, Sailor Moon emphasizes love, bravery, and loyalty. Its dynamic characters, emotional depth, and iconic transformation sequences made it a cultural phenomenon. Airing in the 1990s, it continues to inspire generations, celebrating themes of female empowerment and the strength of unity. With its captivating storyline, Sailor Moon remains a timeless classic in anime history.
Sailor Moon's influence from Super Sentai:
Sailor Moon does share some influence with the Super Sentai series, though their connection is more about mutual inspiration from the “team” concept found in Japanese superhero shows rather than direct influence. Super Sentai, which began in the 1970s, is a long-running tokusatsu (live-action) series where a team of color-coded heroes fights evil forces. This team-based format, with characters representing different colors and powers, greatly influenced later anime genres, including the magical girl genre.
Sailor Moon took inspiration from Super Sentai by assembling a group of Sailor Guardians, each with unique powers and a color motif, much like the Super Sentai teams. The concept of teamwork, transformation sequences, and fighting evil in a unified group is a common theme in both Sailor Moon and Super Sentai.
However, Sailor Moon itself played a role in shaping the magical girl genre, bringing the “magical team” aspect more in line with a female-centered narrative, while Super Sentai largely influenced team-based action in live-action shows. Both have become iconic in their respective genres and continue to inspire modern anime and tokusatsu series.
Light novel of the Month
Knight’s & Magic
Knight’s & Magic is a Japanese light novel series written by Hisago Amazake-no, with illustrations by Kurogin. The story follows Ernesti “Eru” Echevarria, a mecha otaku who dies in a car accident and is reincarnated into a medieval fantasy world where giant robots, known as Silhouette Knights, are used to fight demonic beasts.
In this new world, Eru is determined to use his knowledge of mecha from his past life to become a Silhouette Knight pilot and create his own customized robot.
The series blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, and isekai (another world) themes, focusing heavily on mecha-building and action. Eru’s passion for technology, combined with his genius-level intellect, sets him apart as he revolutionizes the mecha industry in his world.
Knight’s & Magic has been praised for its detailed mecha designs and inventive approach to the genre. The light novel was adapted into a manga and anime, further expanding its popularity.
Manga Challenge September
Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin)
All About Super Sentai
Super Sentai, Power Rangers, Kamen Rider and the Japanese Spiderman!!!?? What do these have in common? We share a few videos to explore these Japanese superheroes and their origins.
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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