The appeal and reputation of "Ben-To": A youthful battle over super cheap lunch boxes

Ben-To: A youthful battle for half-price lunches

"Ben-To" is a TV anime series that aired in 2011, and is based on a light novel by Asaura and published by Super Dash Bunko (Shueisha). It has been published since February 2008, and currently has 7 volumes (8 volumes in total) on sale, and has received high praise, including being ranked 5th overall in the "This Light Novel is Amazing 2011" list. In addition, a manga supplement has been serialized in "Jump SQ." since April 2011, and the series is being developed in a wide range of media.

story

The protagonist, Sato Hiroshi, is about to grab a bento box with a half-price sticker on it at a supermarket near his dorm when he gets caught up in a fierce battle and loses consciousness. When he wakes up, the half-price bento box has already disappeared. After meeting Shirafune, a girl from the same school, and hearing about the battle for the half-price bento that is happening at the supermarket, Sato starts frequenting the supermarket the next day. He then hears more details from Spear Narcissus, also known as the "Frost Witch," and decides to join the battle for the half-price bento box himself. Competing with his friends in skills, and with his pride and livelihood on the line, Sato will be engaged in another fierce battle at the supermarket tonight.

character

Sato Hiroshi (voiced by Shimono Hiro) is a first-year student at Torita High School and lives in the dormitory. Because he is living on the edge of his means, he is caught up in a fight to get a half-price lunch box. He was forced to join the Half Pricer (HP) club, and although he is confident in his physical strength, he often engages in perverted behavior despite his own lack of desire. On the other hand, everyone in his family loves Sega games.

Yari Suisen (CV: Mariya Ise) is a second-year student at Torita High School and the president of the Homepage Club. Her nickname is "The Frost Witch" and she is a fair-skinned beauty, but she wears dark eyeshadow, black stockings, and hard boots, giving her an unapproachable air. However, she is also kind and has a dignified personality that hates excuses.

Ayame Toga (CV: Emiri Kato) is a first-year student at Marutomi University High School and is half Italian with an Italian mother. She is Sato Hiroshi's cousin and shares the same birthday. Since their families live close to each other, they have been raised like twins since childhood. Sato tends to do as Ayame Toga tells him to do, has unkempt blonde hair and wears glasses, but is beautiful. Her nickname is "The Beauty of the Lake."

Shirakoka (CV: Aoi Yuki) is a first-year student at Torita High School. Her hobby is writing novels, and she is a member of the Light Novel Research Club, but she also joins the Homepage Club. She has a shy and reserved personality, and contrary to her small and childish appearance, she likes muscular men, and is writing a novel called "Muscle Detective."

Shiraume Ume (voiced by Ai Kayano) is a first-year student at Karasuta High School and is the class representative. She has a mature and meticulous personality, is strong-willed, and has a tendency to get violent when she doesn't like something. She dotes on Shirako, and has a grudge against Sato Hiroshi, who is with Shirako, and gets violent at every opportunity.

Kinjo Yu (CV: Miyano Mamoru) is a third-year student at Karasuta High School, and was once known to everyone and was hailed as the strongest wolf. His nickname is "Wizard", and for him, fighting is not just about getting a half-price lunch, but rather, he sees the process of getting a lunch as a way to test himself and have fun. He rarely comes to school, and as a scholarship student, he is exempt from attendance requirements. He is the former captain of the Half-Pricer (HP) club.

Asebi Inoue (CV: Ayana Taketatsu) is a first-year student at Marutomi University High School, a member of the Family Club, and a friend of Ayame Toga. Although she doesn't realize it, bad luck happens to her frequently. Poor girl, she gets hit by a car, has a long-lasting cold, etc. Also, people who are with her or come into contact with her sometimes suffer misfortune. She usually wears a cat ear hat.

Hiroaki Uchimoto is a classmate of Sato and lives in the same men's dormitory. He is a born masochist, and upon seeing Sato being punished by Shiraume, he feels that they are in the same boat.

Nikaido Ren is a second-year student at Marutomi University, a member of the Common People's Economic Research Department, and the leader of an organization called Gabriel Ratchet. He is skilled at processing information and goes out to gather information himself. He follows Monarch.

The brown-haired girl, whose real name is unknown, is a third-year student at Karasuta High School. She competes with Sato and the others for a half-price lunch box. She has very voluptuous breasts and a cute face.

Beard, whose real name is unknown, is a second-year student at Karasuta High School. He competes with Sato and the others for a half-price lunch. As his nickname suggests, he has a beard and a somewhat frivolous appearance.

The monk's real name is unknown, and he is a second-year student at Karasuta High School. He competes with Sato and the others for a half-price lunch. As his nickname suggests, he has a shaved head and looks like ○○○○.

Sawakikyo (voiced by Yukari Tamura) and Sawakikyo Kyo (voiced by Yui Horie) are twin sisters and second-year students at Marutomi University High School. Kyo is the student council president, and has long hair that curls from the middle, giving her a flashy impression. She is expressive and easily shows her emotions, and is known for being at a loss for words when excited. Her twin sister, Kagami, always takes care of her in various ways. Kagami is the vice student council president, and has short hair, except for the sideburns. She always acts together with her twin sister, Kyo, and believes that her role is to support her sister. She acts as a brake, and her tone and expressions are calm, and she usually tries to be calm and collected. When Kyo and Kagami team up, they are called "Orthros."

staff

The original work is by Asaura, with illustrations by Kaito Shibano. The director, composition and design work is Shin Itagaki, the series composition is Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, the character design and chief animation director is Yuzo Hirata, the bento animation director is Takahito Katayama, the music is Taku Iwasaki, the animation production is david production, and the copyright is © Asaura, Kaito Shibano/Shueisha, HP Doukoukai.

Broadcast information

"Ben-To" aired from October 8 to December 24, 2011, and consisted of 12 episodes. It was broadcast on TV Aichi, Mainichi Broadcasting System, tvk, AT-X, TOKYO MX, Niconico Live Broadcast, Niconico Channel, and Animax, and each episode was 30 minutes long.

episode

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: "Sticky Natto and Okra Rice Bowl Topped with Cheese Toppings Bento 440kcal"
• Episode 2: "Mackerel miso bento 674kcal"
• Episode 3: "Large serving of cheese cutlet curry 1080kcal"
• Episode 4: "Pork and ginger bento 852kcal"
• Episode 5: "Hokkaido salmon soup (326kcal)"
• Episode 6: "Special Zangi Bento 795kcal"
• Episode 7: "Omupai bento 752kcal and Loco bulging bento 1100kcal"
• Episode 8: "Plenty of chive hamburger bento 765kcal"
• Episode 9: "Western-Japanese style bento box lunch 2910kcal and warm porridge bento 340kcal"
• Episode 10: "It's a warm and gentle taste that I used to eat at my grandmother's house. It's a Japanese dish that is good for both the body and the soul. A bento box of plum and dried small sardine rice and plenty of stewed seasonal vegetables. 480 kcal."
• Episode 11: "Pocari Sweat 125kcal"
• Episode 12: "Domestic eel bento 790kcal"

Theme song

The opening theme is "LIVE for LIFE ~The Night of the Wolves~" with lyrics by Ryuji Matsumura, music and arrangement by Yugo Sasakura, and singing by Manami. The ending theme is "The Law of Smiles" with lyrics by Satomi, music and arrangement by Satomi Kawasaki, and singing by Suisen Yari (CV: Mariya Ise).

Evaluation and Impressions

"Ben-To" is an appealing work with its unique premise of a youthful battle over half-price lunch boxes. The protagonist Sato Hiroshi's fight for the half-price lunch box resonates with viewers. In addition, each character has a strong personality, adding depth to the story. In particular, the charm of the characters stands out, such as Yari Suisen's contrast between her cold-heartedness and kindness as the "Frost Witch," and Shirafuka's shy personality and love for macho men.

The animation was produced by david production, and the quality is high, especially the depiction of the bento boxes, which look realistic and delicious. The music, composed by Taku Iwasaki, matches the story and enhances the emotions of the viewer. The opening theme, "LIVE for LIFE ~Night of the Wolves~", heightens the tension of the battle, and the ending theme, "The Law of Smiles", is a song that warmly embraces the characters' daily lives.

"Ben-To" is a work filled with youth, friendship, and a little humor, giving viewers laughter and emotion. Although the setting may seem unusual at first glance, a battle over half-price lunch boxes, the growth and bonds between the characters depicted in the story will surely capture the hearts of many people. This is a work that I would especially recommend to adults who miss their school days and young people who are enjoying their youth.

Recommended points

The reasons why we recommend "Ben-To" are as follows:

• Unique setting : The setting of a fight over half-price bento lunches has a unique charm that other anime doesn't have. It has the power to draw viewers in.
• Attractive characters : Each character has a strong personality that adds excitement to the story. In particular, the growth of Sato Hiroshi and the gap between Yari Suisen and the characters are very appealing.
• High-quality animation : David Production's animation is of high quality, especially the depiction of the bento boxes, which look realistic and delicious.
• An inspiring story : Filled with youth, friendship and a dash of humor, the story will leave viewers laughing and feeling touched.
• Matching music : The opening and ending songs match the story and enhance the emotions of the viewer.

"Ben-To" is a unique story of a youthful battle over half-price lunches, with charming characters and high-quality animation and music, making it a work well worth watching. Please give it a watch.