Young and old, fans of the anime genre come in all shape and sizes. And for those individuals out there, the number one gift on their Christmas lists could very well be an anime series or an anime collectible.
But for those out there who have never watched a bit of anime in their life, the process of finding that particular title or collectible can be both daunting and thoroughly frustrating. And not having a specific series or collectible? That’s even worse!
When going off to buy a gift for that anime fan in your life, it’s important to consider a few things:
- Take note of the series they already like or own. Many series now come in specific sub-genres of anime or have specific themes. So if you know a series they have liked or do like, then the process of finding other series they may enjoy just as equally is a little easier.
- You’re not limited to merely DVDs and movies. Anime fans often enjoy a range of things within the anime genre, including: keychains, plushies, posters and shirts with their favorite series on them. Many fans also love Japanese goodies, whether they be Japanese candies or other things.
- Many anime fans enjoy manga as well. Manga is the term for Japanese comics and thanks to several companies such as Tokyopop and Dark Horse, English translations of many manga series are now available as well!
If you’re still not sure after considering these tips, why not ask for a wishlist? Have the fan in your life write down a few series, manga or such that they would really like and go by that instead. The suprise factor may not be there but you’ll know they will love their present!
And to make your life just a little easier this shopping, here are some recommendations on places to buy anime, manga and collectibles both online and offline!
Online, you should consider visiting:
- J-List – J-list offers a wide variety of candy, books, games, shirts and other items straight from Japan! There’s sure to be something on this site that will make the perfect stocking stuffer or gift.
- Amazon– Amazon has a wonderful anime section, as well as a nicely stocked manga section.
- CD Japan – A great place to find lots of wonderful anime and Japanese goodies. They feature a wide range of CDs, both drama CDs from various anime series, soundtracks and Japanese artists. They also have a full host of anime collectible figures.
- JP Queen– This site stands out mostly for it’s artbooks and doujinshis (or ‘fan comics’) for various series.
Offline, I recommend the following stores:
- Suncoast
- Best Buy
- Barnes and Noble
- Sam Goody
- Walmart
Remember however that whenever you give a gift, it is the thought that counts. No matter what you might get, in the end that anime fan in your life will appreciate your consideration and respect for his or her particular hobby.
