Kyaraben or charaben (キャラ弁), a shortened form of character bento (キャラクター弁当 kyarakutā bentō), is a style of elaborately arranged bento which features food decorated to look like people, characters from popular media, animals, and plants.[1] Japanese homemakers often spend time devising their families' meals,[2] including their boxed lunches.
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 to the point where national contests are held.[3]
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