Ben-To - Review

It comes as no surprise when Japan comes up with another one of their crazy concoctions. Their creation this time is Ben-To - the anime where half-priced bento are serious business and risking one's life for one is the norm. With an idea as crazy as that, it's no wonder there are so many skeptics out there questioning the entertainment value of Ben-To and its ability to compete with the other shows airing in the same season. While a new idea does have its advantages (e.g. viewers are likely to be more curious), there are also disadvantages that follow (e.g. not applying the logic of safety). Now, let's see how Ben-To fared.

Art (8/10)
While the typical mecha fight boasts giant lasers and flashy machine guns, the brawls in Ben-To only involve human beings and their two weapons: their hands and feet. Thus, it may seem hard for an entertaining fight to make its way into the show. However, I was surprised at how wrong I was after seeing the first few fights in Ben-To. Not only were they exciting to watch, they were also animated well. The movements of the characters may have been a bit choppy but I considered that to be acceptable since humans are not like well-oiled machines - our movements are not perfectly smooth. The other artwork, including the characters, was also decent and easy to watch.

Characters (8/10)
The entire show essentially focuses on the main protagonist, Satou Yō, and how he grows from being a grovelling loser (a Dog) to an elite fighter (a Wolf), when it came to bento battles. Throughout the series, you see him slowly grasp the ideas of these battles and learn about the honor and respect that comes with being a Wolf. In the beginning he is depicted as an ignorant and stubborn high school boy who is running low on money for food. But as time goes on, his transformation is evident and, in the end, he becomes arguably the strongest and most respected fighter in the town. The visible growth and excellent development of this one boy already makes the entire series worth watching, though I would've liked to see more development for the other characters as well.

Sound (9/10)
Firstly, I found the OP to be very fitting as it was upbeat and full of energy, easily helping one to get into the spirit of watching some bento battles. The ED, on the other hand, was softer and more mellow, which I found was a nice way to end each episode. The BGM was very good and quite memorable, especially the music played at each of the supermarkets. Voice acting, like the other aspects of this category, was also great.

Story (8/10)
When I first read the synopsis for this anime, I asked myself, "Will this kind of story even be interesting?" After completing Ben-To, I can definitely answer myself and say that "Yes, it was definitely interesting." I went into the show not knowing what to expect and I think that's best way to go. Ridding yourself of doubts and expectations, and becoming open to this new and crazy idea will definitely maximize your enjoyment. To be honest, the whole story is unrealistic. But, think about it, this is the world of anime - not everything has to be believable. When you forget about everything and just watch the show by itself, chances are, you'll enjoy it.

Overall (8/10)
Ben-To has gone where no other anime has gone before - and it has paid off. Overall, I felt it was a successful series. I, for one, would like a season two as I thought the ending was open-ended. I recommend Ben-To to anyone looking for a action-packed comedy series with a touch of fanservice; you definitely won't be disappointed. So what are you waiting for? Grab some bento to eat while you watch Ben-To!