March 2026 Bento Plus
Itadakimasu
Konnichiwa, AnimeFanatiks! In our March 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. We are your monthly source of anime and Japanese news. Itadakimasu!!
Upcoming events
Events in Nippon
Here’s a list of notable events and festivals (matsuri) that take place in Japan during March.
March 3
Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day)
Significance:
Celebrate girls’ health and happiness with ornamental doll displays nationwide.
March 1–14
Omizutori Festival
Significance:
Ancient Buddhist ritual marking spring.
Around March 9
Hiwatari‑sai Fire‑Walking Festival
Mt. Takao: Yamabushi monks walk through fire.
March 16,
Kinryu‑no‑Mai (Golden Dragon Dance)
Tokyo’s Senso‑ji Temple: Traditional dragon dance.
Early March
Jindaiji Temple Daruma Doll Fair
Tokyo: Daruma dolls and temple festivities.
Game of the month
Mewgenics: A Cult Classic Reimagined — Overview, Pros & Cons
Introduction
Mewgenics is one of gaming’s most interesting lost projects, brought to life. It was being made by Tama Arts, led by Ed Magnuson, the creator behind EarthBound. The game was going to mix cat breeding, simulation, and RPG elements with a fun, quirky style. It was first announced in the late 1990s for the Super Nintendo, then later shown for the Nintendo 64 and GameCube. It has bee resurrected and is finally here
Overview
Pros:
The biggest draw is its unique idea. Players would raise and breed cats, each with their own traits that affected their personality, skills, and survival. This kind of deep simulation was rare for console games at the time.
The art style is also a highlight. Early screenshots and footage show charming designs, funny animations, and a strange, colourful world that helped the game build a cult following.
The game also had real emotional depth. Cat breeds and behaviours were not just for show, they shaped the story, battles, and choices, meaning each playthrough could feel different.
Cons:
Only for a niche fanbase
The mechanics can feel complex and hard to pick up, which may put off casual players.
Conclusion:
Its mix of cat breeding, RPG depth, and quirky charm hinted at something truly special. It continues to inspire indie developers and fascinate fans to this day.
Itadakimasu Eats: Sakura Mochi Donuts & Diafuku
As winter loosens its grip and the first blush of cherry blossoms appears, Japan welcomes a season of renewal with delicate, sakura-inspired sweets. Sakura mochi donuts and sakura daifuku perfectly capture this fleeting transition, bridging the cool hush of late winter with the gentle warmth of early spring.
Sakura mochi donuts combine the soft chew of traditional mochi with the light crispness of a fried or baked doughnut, often glazed in pale pink icing and infused with salted cherry blossom. The subtle saltiness enhances the sweetness, echoing the balance found in nature as cold days give way to brighter skies. Their comforting texture still feels hearty enough for chilly afternoons, yet their floral aroma hints at the coming bloom.
Sakura daifuku, meanwhile, wraps sweet red bean paste inside tender mochi, sometimes incorporating pickled cherry blossom petals or sakura-flavoured cream. The pastel hues and fragrant notes evoke hanami season, when families gather beneath blossoming trees. Light yet satisfying, daifuku feels like a gentle farewell to winter’s heavier desserts.
Together, these treats embody Japan’s deep appreciation for seasonality. They are not merely desserts but edible celebrations of change, a sweet reminder that every ending carries the promise of a new beginning under drifting petals.
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 Fire That Will Not Break – ITADORI AMV’s Barricades with scenes from Sentenced to Be a Hero . His second choice is Gravities We Choose with scenes from Jigokuraku 2nd Season and his third choice is The Emptiness Machine with scenes from Jujutsu Kaisen
Ookami's Tunes
First choice is Royal Tracks – Unwired with scenes fromJigokuraku 2nd Season. His second choice is Royal Tracks – Thunder with scenes from Jujutsu Kaisen: Shimetsu Kaiyuu – Zenpen . As for his third choice, Ookami chose ABOKAI – Combat Physics with scenes from Baki-dou.
Daisuke Tunes
First AMV choice is Carnivore with scenes from Fate/strange Fake. His second choice is ABOKAI – Fracture of the Hour with scenes from Fate/strange Fake. His last choice is ABOKAI – Fracture Line with scenes from Terror Man.
Kuroyuki Tunes
First AMV choice has scenes from Hunter X Hunter. Her second choice is The Score – In My Blood with scenes from The Darwin Incident . Kuroyuki’s last choice is Dragon in My Teeth – ITADORI AMV’s with scenes from Yuusha Party wo Oidasareta Kiyoubinbou
Retara's Tunes
Our correspondence from Japan shares with us two impressive Wotagei videos.
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
Sung Jinwoo: The Rebirth of the Weakest Hunter in Solo Leveling
Sung Jinwoo is the central hero of Solo Leveling, one of the most popular action-fantasy series in the world. Introduced as the “World’s Weakest Hunter,” Jinwoo begins his journey as a low-ranked E-class fighter struggling to survive in dangerous monster-filled dungeons. Constantly injured and barely earning enough to support his hospitalised mother and younger sister, he had little hope of ever moving up. In a world built on power, he was at the very bottom.
Everything changes after a deadly Double Dungeon incident grants him access to a mysterious System. Unlike other hunters, Jinwoo can level up without limits. What follows is not just a rise in power, but a symbolic rebirth. Each quest, battle, and shadow he commands marks the shedding of his former self. The timid, overlooked hunter gradually transforms into the Shadow Monarch, commanding an army and standing at the peak of global power.
Yet Jinwoo’s evolution is more than physical strength. His rebirth is tied to responsibility, sacrifice, and identity. As he grows stronger, he also becomes more isolated, carrying burdens others cannot understand. The series explores what it means to start over, not by erasing the past, but by building upon it.
Sung Jinwoo’s journey resonates because it reflects personal renewal. He shows that suffering and struggle can be the foundation of strength. He is an inspiration as we see his rebirth from nothingness into greatness.
Sadaharu shares his birth month with:
Anime ChallengeMarch 2026
Is This a Zombie? Supernatural Comedy, Magic and Chaos
Is This a Zombie? is a comedy anime that throws zombies, magical girls, and wild humor together into one crazy show. Based on a light novel by Shinichi Kimura, it first aired in 2011 and stood out straight away for its strange and funny storyline.
The show follows Ayumu Aikawa, a normal high school boy who gets killed by a serial killer. He is then brought back to life as a zombie by a quiet necromancer named Eucliwood Hellscythe. Things get even weirder when he accidentally takes the powers of a magical girl called Haruna. Now he has to fight evil monsters called Megalo while dressed in a frilly outfit and wielding a chainsaw.
Beneath all the silly humor, the show touches on themes like loneliness and wanting to connect with others. With two seasons and bonus episodes, Is This a Zombie? is a fun and unique watch for anime fans who enjoy something a little different.
Light novel of the Month
Making Magic: The Sweet Life of a Witch Who Knows an Infinite MP Loophole Light Novel
Making Magic: The Sweet Life of a Witch Who Knows an Infinite MP Loophole is a cozy fantasy light novel that mixes isekai adventure with a calm, laid-back story. It is perfect for fans of powerful main characters and slow, peaceful fantasy worlds.
The story follows a young woman who is reborn as a witch with a special trick, she has access to unlimited magical energy. But instead of using her power to fight or conquer, she chooses a quiet life. She builds a cozy home, crafts magical tools, and helps the people in her village.
The focus here is not on big battles. It is about creativity, community, and living well. Her endless magic lets her try out new spells and inventions freely, which keeps the story fun and fresh. With a warm tone and charming world, Making Magic is a lovely read for anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy and feel-good storytelling.
Manga Challenge March 2026
The Max Level Hero Strikes Back Manga: Plot, Characters and Fantasy Action Explained
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 from some of our favourite YouTubers.
Cosplay
We share super sugoi videos from the world of cosplay.
Japanese Art Forms
Ikebana
Ikebana is more than simple flower arranging, it is an artistic expression where nature and humanity meet through art. It is flower arrangement, but taken to the next level as it has spiritual roots in its meaning. Ikebana transforms branches, leaves, and blossoms into symbolic compositions that reflect balance, space, and mindfulness.
The origins of Ikebana are deeply connected to Japanese spirituality. Some historians trace its beginnings to ancient Shinto rituals, where priests offered sacred branches to spirits. A more widely accepted theory links its development to the arrival of Buddhism in 6th-century Japan. Buddhist monks began creating structured floral offerings for temple altars, gradually elevating them into a sophisticated art form.
Unlike Western flower arrangements that emphasize abundance and symmetry, Ikebana highlights minimalism, asymmetry, and the beauty of empty space. Every stem placement carries meaning, often representing heaven, earth, and humanity.
Ikebana is an international practice now. Schools, like Ikenobo, the oldest and most well known, and masters, continue to teach its philosophy, blending tradition with modern creativity. Through simplicity and intention, Ikebana remains a timeless art that encourages reflection, balance, and a deeper connection to nature.
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!
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