About
Me & Rabbit
I was born in Japan, came to the U.S. in 1994, and have been living/moving around the state of New York until 2012 when I moved to San Diego to work for my favorite video game developer ever, The Behemoth! I went to an art school in NYC majoring in sculpture, but ended up working a non-art related job just like 95% of all art students.
I love creating stuff with my hands in my free time and I enjoy sewing, cooking, and drawing. I’ve made tons of plushes, but I always had a problem finding a place to display them, so I usually I just gave them away. I guess I get more excited making and finishing them, but not so much after that.
Late 2008 I discovered a love for making bento! (lunchbox in Japanese)
In Japan, a lots of moms wake up early to make bento for their kids and their husbands. Usually they make cute animals or characters from anime shows out of food so that kids will enjoy eating healthy food. Those bento are called “Kyaraben” or “Charaben.” (character bento)
Making bento is so much more challenging than making a plush, but takes only a few of hours. The best part is, your work will be eaten and gone by the end of the day! I hope my creations make you go “ooh, neat!”
All anime & video game character trademarks are copyright of their respective owners.
If you’d like to contact me, please email me at annathered[at]gmail.com
AnnaTheRed
I was born in Japan, lived in New York for a while and now living in San Diego, California. I love creating things with my hands in my free time whether it’s making character bento or stuffing stuff! And now I'm working for 
{ 153 comments… read them below or add one }
‘Oh neat’ would be a mild version of the jaw-agape wonder of those bentos! You are an amazing artist!
it makes me go OMG!!!! seriously you should write a book or do something more than that.. you can maybe open a restaurant or something like Japanese fast food or something like that. Trust me its much much more than “ooh neat”!!!!!
These obento are just wonderful, and so inspiring! What an incredibly fun thing to do–your boyfriend is so, so lucky. My brother’s boyfriend sent me the link to the photos, and I sent them to a friend who posted the link on Facebook–they are just so excellent.
I especially love your Miyazaki ones ^_^
Oops–actually, I meant my brother’s girlfriend!
your creations are fantastic.. I am looking at your blog in secret. If my 4 and 2-yr old kids see this they will go nuts! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank You for showing me the next level of the Bento making world. Love your creations and “WOW… so neat”
I’m grateful you started the bento blog. Don’t get bored please – keep going! I say “Ooh…neat!” a lot.
All I can say is WOW. I’ve seen some good bento examples around, but I’m quite amazed by these. Don’t get bored of blogging; I’ll be following this blog as long as it exists!
I gotta say, you got some skills. You could charge an arm and a leg to cater for folks, ha.
My husband sent me the link to your boyfriends’ flickr website and your blog. I’m so amazed and impressed by your bento-creativity!
OMG! “Oh, neat!” is an understatement! I followed a link to your website from Lunch in a Box. I’m glad I did. Your bentos are out of this world. I look forward to seeing and reading about your new creations.
Truly amazing. Makes me happy for the rest of the day!
The Disney Blog http://thedisneyblog.com/ linked to your site, and am I glad I looked! Amazing works of art, the only drawback being that I’d never get to eat any of it because I’d hate to destroy a thing of beauty…
Your blog is really cool. I’m impressed!
Wowwie! Lucky boyfriend!!
You are amazing! And I can’t believe that someone dares to eat those bento’s. xD Greetings!
You are amazing.
I am sure your kids would be very happy to have you as a mom.
I am looking forward to copy some of your creations.
Thanks!
You must look into producing a book–it would be perfect for a coffee-table or for someone interested in reproducing your amazing designs. Great site!
Your boyfriend is lucky to have you. I can tell that the main ingredient in your dishes is LOVE. Thanks for sharing! P
Very Cool! Your boyfriend is a lucky man
I especialy like the katamari damacy Prince. Keep it up!
this website is amazing!!
My little sister is crazy about Sesame Street, do you have any bento version for little girls like her??
You are amazing! Thanks for taking the time to post. You should definitely consider converting these to a book at some point.
this is incredible
awesome. definitely publish a book!
Your art work is incredible! I love the direction you have taken with the food. And it really makes good sense to get children to eat healthy by turning the food into things they recognize. I would definitely buy a book if you ever published one. I think it’s great and cannot wait to see what you come up with next. I hope you keep having fun doing this.
Wow that’s amazing! I’m so impressed. I have seen some incredible “kazari makizushi” before. Your work is also an art.
You are a genius.
Please, be my girlfriend !
These are great!!! you should either put ads on here or get your own blog and stick google ads on there then you can do this full time!!
I’ve never felt the need to post anything on anyone’s blog before this. You’re cool.
I love this woman.
I would willingly go gay for you. But I know you have a bf. Can we be friends? You make wonderful bentos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just wanna say I’m a HUGE fan of bento-making people like you! I hope I can actually learn the tips you made! すごすぎです、がんばってください！お弁との作り方ありがとうございました！
It’s just great Anna ! Keep on the good work !
Art industry or not, you have a phenomenal artistic and culinary prowess. You have inspired me to try and create my own rudimentary Bento in the future.
Hey! I want to use one of your photos and link to your blog. Can you send me your email address?
These are amazing
You should make some out of Sculpey – I bet they would sell, for a lot, like hotcakes at places like Monkey King, myplasticheart and the like. Just wonderful stuff!
Hey Anne,
Your work is just amazing. Congratulations.
Also this is the ultimate art. You can see it, you can smell it and you can eat it.
Keep doing this great work.
You are great!
BOOK!
you totally rule anna the red!
and
much more that “oo neat”
“oo incredible & inspiring & wow what talent & a myriad of other compliments!”
Thank you for providing instructions and photos! I’ve always wanted to do this!
cool!
You should make characters like Charlie Brown!
These are beautiful and thoughtful. Your boyfriend should marry you based on the perfection of his lunches! (kidding, of course) but keep up the amazing work.
Make a book.
Make people happy.
Make money.
And all from just what you do everyday! ^_^
Or…. a television show… *gasp*
I’m already hooked.
Don’t underestimate your creativity and skill – I know you say moms in Japan do this, but no one is doing it here. Pleeeeeeease help spread the joy!
Your bf is awesome for putting up the pics on flickr!
i love you so much!
thank you for posting instructions on how to make egg sheets and everything else!
keep up the good work!
Oh man, please tell me you are single. I will marry you right now.
you should open up a store in NYC!
Open a bento store!!!
Open a store and publish a book!!!
This is amazing. I just discovered bento, and I am in awe. Thanks!
Thanks for all your post. I like all of them. I will love cooking after reading your post. Once again thank so much.
Hello. Hope you don’t mind, but I made a post about you on DannyChoo. These are really great. I hope my knife skills will eventually reach the level of accuracy that you have.
You are avery talented artist Anna!! amazing. thanks for sharing your art with us =)
I’m so glad you have a blog now! I’ve been following your bentos since your boyfriend started posting them on Flickr. It’s great to see your blog now and see more info about how you create them! I love the how-to section! Great work!
what you do is really great!! as japanese, im so glad to know that someone from japan are doing great outside japan.
my girlfriend is a huge fan of Studio Gibli, so i will tell her to check this site. she will love your art.
Hello, Anna! I read about your work in a spanish’s website and I’am very glad to see you work with the vegetables, rice and other meals.
I live in south america.
You are and artist! Congratulations.
P.S: Could you please write the process to prepare a “bento” into spanish? Thanks
Hi, I really hope I didn’t offend you in any way by posting your stuff on my blog, I just wanted to share it with everyone because you are so talented. I had quoted the source but completely understand your reasonings for me still wanting to take it down. I have however bookmarked your page because I can’t wait to see the other great stuff you create!
\o/ lol \o/
lol
very cool
lol \o/
Sinceramente, você é de mais!
Parabéns!
criatividade a mil!!!
muito lindooo
=]
my boyfriend showed me this site, and i love it!! you’re so good at this~ it makes me feel hungry looking at your bento.
the studio ghibli ones are my favorite!
Wow, your work is amazing! All of it is so Kawaii and gorgeous! I wouldn’t dare to eat it. XD You’re a genius! : )
I would not have the heart to eat any of your bentos.. I’d much prefer to hang them up. They’re beautiful! ^^
I’ve just gotten into japanese cooking as often it can be a lot healthier than British food and I want food I can carry with me to labs without it having to be a boring salad or sandwich, and I’ve been very lucky because your site is the first I’ve found! It’s given me things to learn about while I’ve been in hospital so thanks for that. I look forward to making bento myself as soon as I’m back home.
Best wishes,
Lizzie
P.s. seriously, you should make this into a book when you have a bigger amount of bento.
I love your site.. You have inspired me to try to make bento for MY boyfriend
I found your step by step guides helpful… Time to put them to use!
You should make a book, your bentos look fantastic!
You’re incredible! Love your bento and blog! Keep up the good work!
Very amazing! I don’t think I could eat any of those because they’re so incredible to look at.
Hey! Just stumbled onto your blog! Your creations are like those from the books! Will be following your blog!
I was from the art school too but always never end up working in that line! And like you, I love to do stuff with my hands… I have a cupcake e-shoppe (www.i-love-cupcakes.com) and now I’m into Bento-ing!
Thank you so much Anna-san for these so many cutedelicious bentos!… they really make my days happier, even though I just only watch at them ^___^
Some day I’ll try to do it myself =)
Today I found a picture of your Zelda and Yoshi/Pikachu Bento in a german nintendo magazine and i decided to visit your website! your bentos are awsome! Really great work! And i love your rabbit cookies! I think I make my own bunny-cutter and make some cookies for my next Wii Party! I hope I can do this cutter…
Go on with this website! I love your stuff!
Greetings from germany!
My kids and I are in awe of these creations! We are HUGE Wall-e fans and were looking up flickr pics when we came across your wall-e cheese sandwich, and then we kept looking at the pics. WOW wow WOW! We are now huge fans of your work. You should totally sell prints of the pics. I am sure they would be huge hits. Just saying…
Hi Anna, Your bentos is so great! I work for chool of Visual Arts and wonder if you went to college here? If so I’d love to be in touch with you. -Carrie
A really cool work!! How creative are your bentos!! As an anime and videogame characters fan I have to say that it was a good surprise seeing Yoshi and Zelda made bento.
Greetings.
anata no obento wa totemo kawaii desu!!!!
watashiwa arugentin desu.
watashi no blog wa : http://gachimaia.blogspot.com/
C’est incroyable ce que vous faîtes! (comment peut-on faire mario ?)
you are my idol!!!! those little stuff are neat!!
omg!
i wish i had half of ur skills!!
those meringue shrooms are neat, after failing to make macarons i’ve quited baking momentarily. haha~
Fan-freaking-tastic! You are one very talented lady! I have to admit i an uber jealous of your mad skills with the bento. I made the cute little meringue mushrooms today, so much fun! I can’t wait to copy more stuff that you do, lol! Thank you for starting this blog, hope you are having a great week!
Hey Anna. Love your work! It’s our current favourite. Can you do a Mt Fuji?
Will you marry me?
Just joking! You’re awesome and I will try to make such charaben (I call them bentotoro) once in a while.
Godspeed.
PS: Seriously, please marry me! >;3
Hello from Germany,
your blog is really great and fun to visit.
Many love greetings
Rico
アンナちゃん♪
お久しぶりです。優だよ(o^∇^o)ﾉ
こないだこーちゃんに聞いて遊びに来ました♪
アンナちゃんの作ったお弁当、すごいね！
ビックリしたよ(*’▽’*)♪
みーにも教えとくね(*￣∇￣*)
また遊びに来ます。
Please write a book! I’d love to be able to attempt (and I do use the word ATTEMPT) to recreate these for my kids in the future!
Oh my god, you’re the perfect wife, marry me !
Where can I order your book? I would like to get a copy. Please email me.
I love your obentous! it makes me happy when I see them!! I was born is Japan living in us also! I would like to do a post on your bento if you dont mind to share with my readers about you n your bento~
They are great!!! Very nice and fantastic! How to learn to make such bento??
love your bentos , they are very cute
Uh….I think it’s pretty much already been covered here already, judging the the previous comments…
So, at the risk of reiterating the obvious, you rule the school.
また遊びに来ちゃいました(*´∇｀*)
こないだはコメ残してくれてありがとぉ♪
トトロのお弁当カワイイ！！！
真っ黒くろすけまでいるし♪
ホントすごくカワイイお弁当ばっかりで、びっくりです(*’▽’*)
優も作ってみたいけどお料理はどーも・・・。。。(A；´･ω･)ﾌｷﾌｷ
さっき、灯台長さんのブログ見てきたんだけど、お腹が痛くなるほど笑わせてもらいました（爆）(o_ _)ノ彡 ﾊﾞﾝﾊﾞﾝ!!
おもしろかったぁ（笑）
Everytime I pop by, this sites never fails to impress me!
**clap clap clap!
I love cooking but I don´t think I could be good in bento. You´re fantastic!
Hello ! Your bentos are fantastic ! I would love to eat it ..or maybe i wouldn eat ..just staring it…Congratulation! I pick some photos to my blog and i hope you dont mind. I wrote your credits. bye
oh wow, this makes me sad…
i want a mom like u (¶_¶)
Love this site! Can I please give a bento suggestion? How about the Iron Giant?
Oh my goodness!! You are AMAZING. I stumbled across this blog looking for a steamed bun recipe without yeast and just wow. I am so… in awe of all of your creativity and creations. I think it is really extraordinary how you can put so much of yourself making these creations all the time and how creative you are in making tools (the bottle cutter) while still having a job and boy on the side! I sit around knitting a lot of the day (currently unemployed) and I can barely find time to do all the crafts and things I’d like to do.
You’re most definitely an inspiration!
I think your website is probably the best thing on the entire internet. Your taste is great! Katamari Damacy and Calvin and Hobbes? It’s like you make an edible version of everything I love.
I really love your website. I have been doing “normal” bentos for some time, but now I will try to make those nice ones like you did! Thanks for those great tips!
Nadine from Germany
i like your blog so much …
Thank yyou for sharing
Oh your stuff is so . . . how should I put this? Kawaii! ^__^ so keep posting good stuff.
P.S. I also went to an art school but I suck at everything else so I have no choice but to suck it up and kick ass down the road.
dope
Hi there!
My name is Kristina, and I was writing in regards to your blog. First and foremost, I find it fascinating and quite literally a visual joy! I am doing an article for a local paper in New Jersey called, “The Steaming Pipe.” It will be an overview on the art of Obentos; particularly Japanese mothers and their efforts to construct these ornate meals. I was simply requesting permission to use a photo of yours ( with or without credit- depending on your preference) for the print edition as well as online?
I am pleased to be the 100th person to write here that your work is awesome, and very cute! I look forward to more of it.
Hi Anna!
I have read an article about you and your masterpieces *-*
i’m without words!*O*
you are fantastic and your bentos too *W*
<3
Just found your blog. I’m a gigantic fan!
Hi, I just came across your blog and bento pics. They’re amazing and I can’t wait to try out your tips! Can’t wait for your future posts! :]
you are an inspiration! i fell in love with bento making when i was researching for valentine’s day idea. now i’m addicted. lol
Your art is increadible, keep it up!
amazing! i myself am from Korea and love to cook.i was also wondering if you could do a bento of an anime called higurashi. please email me and tell me! you can find it on youtube but the episodes are so long that they have to be cutt into three parts. just to tell you, one chapter is made into more than 8 epiesodes. please email me soon. i hate waiting
i love reading your blog. Problem is that it makes me really hungry. Thanks and keep it up.
Wow, i love your stuff ♥
!
You should open a restaurant. I would come and visit you every day
I am just discovering “bento Stuff” and I am so glad and grateful that I found your website…You are “Marvelous Darling” I love all of your stuff and thanks for posting them…you “inspire me” I just love your “creativeness”
Take Care and God Bless
omg! i totalli impressed by your bento making skill!
Love them <3 inspired me to make bento for my boyfriends too!
Thanks for the motivation
ps: hmm. consider making cinnamoroll bento too (: ? would realli love to see it!
Featured in Nintendo Power!? How much geek cred can one attain? I stumbled upon a photo of your bento while fooling around on flickr… amazed by your work. Keep it up!
Anna!
You’re amazing!!! We love you! Here is our posting on you for Plaztik Mag’s Blog site:
http://plaztikmag.com/blog/2009/08/15/domo-yum-yums/
YUM!!
xoxo,
Mimzy
PLAZTIK MAG
http://www.plaztikmag.com
http://www.plaztikmag.com/blog
アンナさんへ
初めまして、私はシンです。
シンガポールから
OMG. You are totally amazing to the MAX!
You really are an artist.
I love your creation.
It makes my eyes grow BIG and my mouth go WOW.
まじ凄い！！
全部可愛い〜
本当に
I admire your skills.
And I’m going to learn from you.
ありがとう！
よろしくね！
シンより
oh wow. u r amazing. u r my idol now. and wow.wow.wow ..i wanna learn too ..oh wow
I just discovered your site from linking through your bf’s photostream on Flickr, and I’m completely bowled over by the super cuteness of everything you do. Your bf is one lucky lucky man! It makes me want to find a gf like you even though I’m a girl! Am absolutely loving your Studio Gbili bentos, esp. Totoro!! I blogged about it via the blogit function on Flickr.
Keep up the aweinspiring work Anna! You truly rock! And I’d absolutely add my voice to the chorus of your fans here to ask you to publish a book and open a bento shop so that I have another must-go place when I visit NYC.
What a wonderful job you do! I found your blog at a brazilian’s magazine site and since I adore kyaraben but don’t have any ideas how to do them, I fall in love with your work. Thank you so much for share your ideas and know-how about kyaraben. Btw, your plushies are AMAZING *-* great job too!
Hi there! I just somehow came upon your page from a link from foodgawker, and I’ve been looking at all your different Bento boxes for an hour already!! You are so talented, it must take so much time preparing! Haha, I read that you said the best part is that by the end of the day your masterpiece is eaten and gone…I don’t think I could eat it if I spent all that time, I could only really feel satisfied if someone else ate it, hehe. Nothing extravagant for me!
Anyways, I hope you continue making these wonderful Bento Boxes and doing what you love. I would also love to go to art school, but alas, I’m chicken and opted for a realistic job.
You’re inspirational!!
seriously if you are not married yet, you should be haha. these bento boxes are awesome.
Hi Anna,
Just wanted to let you know that I decided to give you the “One Lovely Blog” Award.
I love the Cooking/Gardening Mama bento box. Your sense of humor and creativity are priceless! After I saw that photo, the phrase “Mama will help you,” kept running through my head. Wonderful work, site, ideas…In short, you rock!
Hi
I stumbled upon your blog by accident and I can see you have plenty of fans but I’m gonna say it anyway:
I think you are wonderful!! Your blog has brighten my drab and awful day!
Hi Anna
Your logo looks way to close to what an Australian PR agency is sporting. Check this out: http://www.publicityqueen.com.au/
Which came first?
- P
wow look at that! It’s actually just the first letter of my signature, Anna. (I’m going to add my entire signature to this about page later)
I’ve been using the same “signature” since 1994, when I came to the US. I was trying to create a cool looking signature and came up with it. Of course, I don’t use it for legal stuff like bank checks or anything though.
Your blog is so fun! I do bento for myself and my daughters and for fun may venture into charaben as holiday bento; that’s how I found you; I googled “Thanksgiving charaben”. Your turkeys will be in our bentos this month! I love to sew, especially haute couture level garments so if you ever need sewing help check out my blog too. I’ll be back to your blog on a regular basis.
I have to admit I had never been to your site before (I know, for shame) until I saw your winning entry to the Penny Arcade Katamari Forever contest today. I must say your work is simply amazing, and while I love them all, the Katamari Damacy one was just too awesome for words to describe. Congratulations and keep up the wonderful work.
I love seeing your bento boxes, they are all so cute! And they’re also often from my fave anime/other shows. Keep up the good work! Your boyfriend is lucky
These are so awesome, my child just freaked out about the raving rabbids bento boxes and cookies.
How long before you open a store and sell these awesome bento’s?
You should write a book. Seriously. You have a lot of talent. The wild things Bento stuff is just amazing.
Can I spotlight it on my blog? Please give me permission to use your flickr photos and link back.
You have inspired me to become one of your friends, just for the chance of being given one of your plushies.
*just kidding*
Dear Anna,
I think your bento boxes are delightful! In fact, your blog has inspired me to try making a bento of my own. You’ve mentioned that it’s in your nature to be “pretty lazy”, and I’m sure I can relate to that aswell. I have yet to make that bento box of my own. ‘-__-.
Anyhow, I enjoy how elaaborate they all look, and I can only anticipate your next creation!
I love your creations, it’s really inspiring to make one. I wanted to try one but I just don’t have enough ingredients and I don’t know any alternatives for it but I still want to try even though I’m not yet good at cooking. Bentos are really fun to make especially if it makes the person happy while eating it. ^^ I’m not an artist, but I hope I can still follow through your “how-to’s” Thanks for this wonderful blog, I’m glad I discovered it. *heart*
Hehe the rabbids really make me laugh xD
“Oh neat”? Are you kidding me?!
I just browsed this site and I went OMIGOSHHOLYSHIZZ D:
You’re so talented and creative
Me loves food and art. so this site was like heaven to me
Keep up the great work~
I really love the SUPERHEAVENLYADORABLE bentos you made for kids~ I’m really determined to make that nest bento soon :3
so amazing, thank you so much for sharing your amazing recepies
Such a gorgeous website! Thank you Anna for inspiring so many people (including me!) with your wonderful posts
Hi Anna how are you?
Did a search for you, was wondering how you were doing…
this looks wonderful! congratulations!
I just sent you and email saying hi
hope all is well
wished you’re my mom
i love your “heart egg”!!!
and all the bentos 8D
好棒啊！！！(it is awesome, in chinese )
I love your work! is really awesome, Congratulations! I from Bolivia and Im a artist too!
Hi,
Juz discover ur blog recently. Really muz salute to ur creativeness. The most touching part is ur willingness to share all ur tactics with others. Thx a lot.
Beautiful!
Love it!
Anna~~~i miss you and your bento/other-assorted-yet-equally-awesome food posts D: been keeping up with your posts since your super early ones, even though i havent commented til now =S been more of a silent admirer ahaha xD AND WHAT AN ADMIRER I AM: YOUR KYARABEN AND OTHER GOODIES MAKE ME SQUEAL LIKE THE LITTLE GIRL I AM AT HEART. (^v^)/ . Demo ne, everytime i check your website recently, and i see NO NEW POSTS, i swear i die a little inside D: I’m sure your job at THE BEHEMOTH (<333333) (congratulaaaaations, btw, overdue as this is ^v^) is keeping you supremely busy, but I guess I'd like to ask if we, your fervent site followers, can be expecting any new MECCHA KAWAII TABEMONO anytime soon? AHAHAH, well, that is all ^v^ Stay healthy Anna, and hope to hear from you soon =) <3
Love the website Anna!! I live in Japan and my daughter just started kindergarten so I’m always on your website \stealing\ your bentos! My wife’s uncle (she is from Japan) made an Anpanman bento for his son and sent a pic to my wife. She showed me, and it was on like Donkey Kong! He is always challenging me to do all sorts of things (usually eating Japanese food) so I couldn’t let him one up me like that. Luckily for my wife, I found out I’m actually good at it so I’ve taken over making bentos at 5am every Tuesday and Thursday!! X_X Keep up the great work, and don’t stop making bentos!! I’m actually about to run to Union to grab some chicken, tomorrow I am going to try the fried chicken Laputa robot. Gambatte!!
Love your site! Never stop posting!
It’s been a few months now since I’ve known of your website thanks to my boyfriends broter, and since then…. I resterted my blog after 3 years (imaginencook – so all about cooking
), tried out different recipes and advices from your site, enjoyed hours of just watching your creations and thinking of making some of my own… and today well let’s just say your site is the first one I open in the morning, waiting for more news 
)
Whenever I loose inspiration/motivation I come back here
Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu!
Best of wishes from Croatia,
Marina
Hi Anna! You blog is amazing!! read you in Ukraine, Donetsk
Hi Anna! Your blog are amazing! Thank you fron Ukraine, Donetsk
nice tutorial (heart egg – egg heart)
^^
Hi Marisol
Sorry about the late reply.
Unfortunately, I don’t speak Spanish… =/ (feeling embarrassed since I’ve lived in NY for 14 years now)
Maybe you can Google translate the page into Spanish? Google has language tools, and all you have to do is to put url link on “translate a web page.” Hope that helps.
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