Kyaraben

Kyaraben or charaben (キャラ弁) is a shortened form of character bento (キャラクター弁当, kyarakutā bentō). Derived from the traditional bento box of Japan, kyaraben became a fun way to make meals for children beginning in the 1990s. It is a style of elaborately arranged bento (Japanese boxed lunch), which features food decorated to look like animals, plants, traditions, characters from popular media, and more.^[1][2] Pandas and bears are two popular animals people make into kyaraben. Characters from children's’ media, such as Pikachu from the anime Pokémon^[3] and Totoro from the Studio Ghibli animated movie My Neighbor Totoro, are often arranged in kyaraben. Even western cartoon characters are depicted, and kyaraben is enjoyed by westerners as well as Japanese. Japanese homemakers often spend time devising their families' meals,^[4] including their boxed lunches. Kyaraben is especially popular among mothers.

Originally, a decorated bento was intended to interest children in their food and to encourage a wider range of eating habits. It has now evolved into a cultural symbol, to the point where national contests are held.^[5]