TV-Series
Description
Benio is a young woman who appears in the early episodes of the series as a passenger on a collection truck traveling through the Dark Forest. She comes from a village that practices the tradition of sending young women away to be married, a custom believed to lift curses from their home communities. Like her fellow passenger Hotaru, Benio has resigned herself to this fate and accepts her journey to an arranged marriage as an unavoidable reality.

In terms of personality, Benio is portrayed as kind, practical, and straightforward. When the protagonist Touko first boards the truck and struggles with motion sickness, Benio is among those who greet her warmly. Unlike the other brides who remain confined to their passenger car, Benio expresses a preference for keeping busy through work rather than idling away the time. She demonstrates a strong sense of fairness and speaks up against injustice, arguing that it is wrong for Touko to be forced off the truck at the next village after an incident involving a black beast attack. Benio also shows she can be assertive when necessary, such as when she confronts the hostile dog Kanata and establishes that she will not tolerate his aggression.

Benio's role in the story is that of a supporting character who travels alongside Touko and provides companionship during the dangerous journey toward the capital. She forms part of a small group of brides-to-be, including Hotaru and Kaho, who are being transported on the same vehicle. Her primary relationship is with Touko, whom she befriends and looks out for during their time together on the truck. She also shares a camaraderie with Hotaru, as both are in the same situation of being sent away for marriage, and she interacts with the crew member Shouzou, urging him to advocate for Touko with their boss.

Benio's development is cut short due to the harsh realities of the world she inhabits. During a routine stop to change fiendfire vessels, a giant white dragon attacks the collection truck. Despite the truck being armed, the dragon proves impervious to their defenses. Benio is grabbed by the dragon and killed, ending her journey permanently. Her death serves as a stark reminder of the constant dangers present in the Dark Forest and the fragility of life in this setting. No notable abilities are described for Benio, as she is portrayed as an ordinary young woman rather than a fighter or someone with special skills.