Bento Box

In case you don't recognise her, the cartoon girl in the current site graphics is Kino Makoto, affectionately called Mako-chan, from the great 1990s Japanese animated superhero series Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon. Mako-chan is one of the reasons why I became interested in bento culture. Throughout the series (and the comic it's based on) she is presented as the best cook among her friends and can always be relied upon to provide a delicious and beautifully arranged bento. For Makoto, being a good cook is one of the ways she proves that she does have a traditionally feminine side, because she tends to be perceived as a big tough tomboy. I thought the food she made looked wonderful and was curious about it. The following pictures are all scans from my Japanese Sailor Jupiter fan book.

You already saw this picture on the main page - it's one of my favourite images of Makoto's generous nature! In this scene she's offering to share her school lunch with a boy she likes (unfortunately, he's an alien and doesn't appreciate human food - it's that kind of show).

The bento box is appropriately cute, with a pattern of flowers and a little yellow chick. Inside I can see light brown onigiri with furikake mixed in, a cherry tomato, julienned carrot and celery rolled up in fried beef, rolled up omelette slices, some kind of croquettes, hot-dog octopi, some, um, weird twirly white things and some weird pink things with faces. Appetising!

Mako-chan is determined to make a good impression on that guy! Note how beautifully wrapped her lunch is, in a drawstring bag decorated with bows.

I just wanted to include this photo of the woman who did Makoto's voice for the cartoon to show you that even the Mako-chan doll manufactured as a prize for crane games (called UFO catchers in Japan) has a little wrapped lunch-bundle! Also, I have this doll, so I feel special.

When Sailor Moon was reinvented for the 2000s as a live-action series, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, many details about the plot and characters were changed, but Makoto's personality remained mostly the same (although a new romance was written in for her with the sweet but occasionally bizarre Furuhata Motoki, and fans cheered). As these pictures demonstrate, Mako-chan is not only still an expert at making bento, she kind of goes overboard! Although this enormous bundle ended up being shared by her friends Ami and Rei, she apparently made it for Rei alone. The pictures came from Shingetsu, a site dedicated to the live-action series.

	'Isn't this a bit much?' Rei asks, taken aback at Mako-chan's gung-ho generosity. Mako-chan (the girl on the left, with the ponytail) doesn't appear to think so. I don't think she has enough to do. I also think these two actresses, Azama Mew and Kitagawa Keiko, were adorable.
	After Makoto leaves, Rei is joined by Ami and they open the bundle. Let's just pause to remember that Makoto made this for one person. She is clearly completely insane, but I want her to cater my next party. The box this time is the classy, tiered, lacquered kind with a traditional red and black design. In the top layer Mako has packed what appear to be three kinds of sushi. Mmm... sushi.
	In the next layer are all sorts of yummy things rolled up, including omelette slices. There are also what may be quail's eggs with colourful plastic toothpicks inserted, and a cupcake holder full of meat. Mmmm. Meat. I think I see sausages in there too, and mini sushi rolls.
	And in the bottom layer, we realise that Makoto is psychic and knew Ami would be coming, because she has packed dessert for two - fruit salad, mousse, strawberries and cream. Move over, Nigella Lawson: Kino Makoto is the true Domestic Goddess.
	The girls exclaim in delight over their feast - wouldn't you? - and we see that Makoto has also included a tall thermos of some hot drink, a smaller one, perhaps of milk, plastic cups and paper plates. YOU WANT TO GO ON A PICNIC WITH THIS WOMAN. In case you're wondering about the weird-looking room they're in, it's their secret superhero hideout, located under a karaoke club. Isn't Japan nifty?

Mako-chan: A Tribute