Ben-To!

One day, a poor high school student, Yō Satō walked into a supermarket and saw some half-priced bentos on sale. When he was reaching innocently for his desired bento, he was instantly knocked down. When he regained consciousness, he noticed that he was beaten up on the floor. When he looked up, he was stunned by the scene in front of him. It was a heated battlefield for the half-priced bentos. Being attracted by this unimaginable scene, Yō formed an alliance with his classmate, Hana Oshiroi, who was coincidentally in the supermarket, to obtain the half-priced bentos. However, out of nowhere, a beautiful girl, known to others as “The Ice Witch”, beat him down in an instant. After grabbing a bento for herself, she walked up to Yō and said… The 5th Annual Super Dash Newbie Light Novel Writer Award Winner, Asaura, brings you his newest work, an actioned packed high school comedy, Ben-To!

Original Publisher

shueisha

Original Language

japanese

Type

Light Novel

## My Thoughts on Ben-To! Alright, let's talk about *Ben-To!* I dove into this one knowing it was a completed series, which is always a plus for me. I appreciate a story that knows when to wrap things up. The premise itself is pretty straightforward, but also undeniably unique: high schoolers battling it out for half-priced bento boxes at the local supermarket. It's a concept that's ripe for comedy and action, and I was curious to see how well it delivered. ### First Impressions Honestly, the idea of students fighting for discounted food had me chuckling from the start. It felt like a parody of battle shounen tropes, which immediately piqued my interest. It's the kind of story that doesn't take itself too seriously, and sometimes that's exactly what I'm looking for. The fact that it has an anime adaptation also gave me a good feeling, because usually that means the source material has something special. ### What Works Well The blend of action and comedy is definitely a strong point. The fights, while over-the-top considering the stakes, are entertaining and creatively choreographed. The humor comes from the absurdity of the situation and the quirky characters involved. It seems like the author understands how to balance these elements effectively, creating a fun and engaging read. The fact that it's an award-winning work also suggests the author has a good writing and storytelling style. I can definitely see the appeal, especially if you're a fan of otaku culture and enjoy a good parody. I also appreciate the tags of strong love interests, cooking, and harem, as it promises a well-rounded experience. ### Areas of Concern While the premise is fun, I can see how it might wear thin after a while if not handled carefully. The story needs to keep things fresh and introduce new elements to prevent the bento battles from becoming repetitive. Also, the harem tag makes me a bit wary. I hope the romance aspect is well-developed and doesn't rely on tired tropes or shallow characterization. ### Final Verdict Overall, *Ben-To!* sounds like a fun and engaging read, especially if you're looking for something lighthearted and action-packed. The unique premise and blend of genres make it stand out from the crowd. While there are potential pitfalls, the strengths of the story seem to outweigh the weaknesses. I'd say it's worth checking out if you're in the mood for a comedic battle shounen with a dash of romance and a whole lot of discounted bento.