Let’s all learn to sing and dance the Bento Box Song with this cute little cat!
Two things are guaranteed to help when you’re in a bad mood: cute music and a cute cat. And we have great news about this video picking up steam on Japanese Twitter: it blends them both!
The video stars Mantaro, a gorgeous and extremely patient Munchkin cat. It wasn’t Mantaro’s owner who brought him into the limelight though, it was their friend, Twitter user @parapilia.
▼ “My friend sent this to me. I’ve been healed…. I could watch this forever….”
https://twitter.com/parapilia/status/1194981003376226305In the video a cheery children’s song plays, one parents in Japan might recognize as the Bento Box Song. The song uses gestures to indicate a small or big bento box, then uses an increasing number of fingers to represent various food stuffs that might fill it up.
Mantaro, having fluffy round cat paws and no fingers, has to settle for simply having his paws bounced up and down by his owner. This doesn’t stop him from beautifully outlining an imaginary bento box, though, and at the end of the video he even waves the viewer goodbye.
Want to sing along to the Bento Box Song as you look into Mantaro’s beautiful, soothing eyes? Here’s the lyrics, both in Japanese romanized text and English:
Kore kurai no obento naka ni
Onigiri, onigiri choitto tsumete
Kizami shōga ni gomashio futte
Ninjin-san
Sakuranbo-san
Shiitake-san
Gobō-san
Ana no aita renkon-san
Suji no tōtta
Fuki
Inside a bento box, about this big
Rice balls, rice balls, a couple placed inside
Sprinkle salt and sesame on the chopped ginger
Now the carrots,
Cherries,
Mushrooms,
Burdock root
Then the lotus root, full of holes
And butterbur stalks with strings.
Mantaro isn’t the best teacher for the gestures, due to his aforementioned lack of fingers, so here’s a slightly more articulated guide.
Those who were able to tear their eyes away from Mantaro’s adorable kitty dance left screams of “cuuuuuute” and “poor baby looks so grumpy” in the replies.
Several recognized Mantaro from @parapilia’s friend’s Instagram, and raised concern about her possibly posting it without permission — thankfully @parapilia assuaged concerns that her friend knew about the Tweet, and she also linked to their Instagram in a reply.
▼ Even more adorableness await you here!
As cute as Mantaro’s dancing is, it’s plain to see that his owner is very hands-on and handles most of the choreography. Mantaro seems like a chill and languid cat, so perhaps it’s too much to expect him to do any wild bellydances or tissue box shuffles of his own volition. But hopefully he’ll inspire you to do a little Bento Box dance of your own today, and that’s what counts!
Source, featured image: Twitter/@parapilia
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

We think he’s purr-fect! Meet Monty, the cat born without a nose bone【Photos】
Adorable Japanese cat shows off its purr-fect hiding spot to attack owner’s feet 【Video】
Video of Japanese cats relaxing with chill snail friend will make you feel purr-fect happiness
Super cute Japanese kitty takes a little sip and a shower all at once 【Video】
Japanese restaurant’s mouth-watering bento lunch models entice adorably hungry kitty 【Photos】
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
Finally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Onsen Egg Bukkake Udon Ice Cream makes us rethink everything we thought we knew about sweets
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Snaps of Japan’s cute yet ugly kitties set to take over Yamanote train line
Determined cat tries to get inside all the things, occasionally succeeds【Videos】
This whacky Japanese cat looks hilariously buff, adorably fluff【Video】
Japanese pet owner photographs cats in hats made from the cats’ own hair 【Pics】
Badass cats blow up the internet, leave adoring humans in their wake
Cute cat stays cool in Japanese heat by snuggling up inside Dyson fan
Japanese mom wows us with her ‘eggstraordinary’ food art
Cute cat and its human create homemade Japanese money box with hilarious results!【Video】
More cute kitties balancing Japanese snacks on their heads【Videos】
How do Japanese cats stay warm and accessorize during winter? With tail scarves, of course!
Video of late kitten playing with dog will brighten your day and then leave you crying
Taking a page from Japan, Meow Parlour, KittyKind team up for NYC’s first cat cafe
World-famous Japanese cat Maru gets a new pal, learns a cool new tail trick 【Video】
It’s Japanese commercial time! Watch the best ads from 2017 in one glossy 4K video