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Otaku Gift Guide

Outrageously Fun Collectibles and Gear For Manga and Anime Fans

By Deb Aoki, About.com

For the super fan of anime and manga, the otaku, loving Japanese pop culture is not a hobby, it's a way of life. So give them something that shows off their fan cred with cool collectibles, fan gear or a dream trip to Tokyo! Read on and maybe you'll find something you'll love for yourself too.

See more ideas for gifts for shonen manga fans and gifts for shojo manga readers too.

1. Bat-Manga! The Secret History of Batman in Japan

Softcover edition of Bat Manga! by Chip Kidd, Geoff Spear, Saul Ferris - Pantheon Books© DC Comics / Chip Kidd / Pantheon Books

Price: $29.99 US
Authors: Chip Kidd, Saul Ferris, Geoff Spear
Artists: Jiro Kuwata and Various Artists
Publisher: Pantheon Books
ISBN: 978-0375714849
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When the Batman TV show hit Japanese airwaves, special Batman stories were created by manga-ka Jiro Kuwata just for Shonen King magazine. 40 years later, Batman memorabilia collectors Kidd and Ferris joined forces to reintroduce the world to this long-forgotten era of cross-cultural comics in this lavishly illustrated artbook.

2. Yen Plus Magazine Subscription

Yen Plus August 2008 issue, featuring Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkubo, published by Yen Press© Atsushi Ohkubo / SQUARE ENIX

Price: $49.95
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Learn more about Yen Plus Available from: Yen Press

This double-sized, doubled-sided manga and manhwa magazine features tons of reading enjoyment every month, including the latest installments of fan favorites like Soul Eater, Higurashi: When They Cry and Maximum Ride. Give a subscription so your favorite otaku doesn't have to comb the newsstands for this sometimes elusive manga magazine.

3. Mimoco Yakuza Flash Drive

Mimobot Yakuza Flash Drive© Mimoco

Price: $24.95
Available from: Mimoco

Keep your files safe (and portable) with these your personal yakuza flash drive. In 1 gigabyte, 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB sizes, these mini marvels show off your inner Tokyo gangster in style.

4. Water: The Art of Vagabond

The Art of Vagabond: Water by Takehiko Inoue, an art book published by VIZ Signature / VIZ Media© 2006 I.T. Planning

Price: $34.99 US / $39.99 CANADA
Author & Artist: Takehiko Inoue
Publisher: VIZ Media
ISBN: 978-1421520582
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Gaze in awe at the stunning watercolor illustrations by manga master Takehiko Inoue, from his award winning samurai manga series, Vagabond. Make your gift extra special by including the companion volume, Sumi, which features Inoue-sensei's bold black and white ink drawings.

5. Cold Steel Anime & Manga Tour of Japan

Domokun and friend snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival, 2007 Snow and Samurai Tour © Pop Japan Travel / DMP Inc.

Price: $2,719.00
Available from: Pop Japan Travel

This February, send your favorite otaku or yourself on a truly memorable trip to Tokyo, Kamakura and the Sapporo Snow Festival. Head to otaku central in Akihabara, meet a manga and much, much more.

Reservation deadline is December 19, 2008, with a deposit due of $300, so don't snooze too long on this opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure.

6. Haruhi Suzumiya Collectible Bunny Girl Figurine

Haruhi Suzumiya Bunny Girl Statue© Nagaru TANIGAWA, Noizi ITO /KADOKAWA SHOTEN © Gaku TSUGANO /KADOKAWA SHOTEN

Price: $119.99
Available from: Entertainment Earth

Everyone's favorite eccentric, space alien-seeking cutie from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is now a flirty mascot for your bedroom, complete with bunny ears and fishnet stockings.

7. Death Note Messenger Bag

Death Note Messenger Bag from VIZ Media Store© Tsugumi Ohba / Takeshi Obata

Price: $28.99
Available from: VIZ Media Store

They'll haul their stash of manga (and maybe their Death Note book) to school or to the next convention with this Death Note logo messenger bag. Made of sturdy nylon, in black with black trim, it's the goth gear bag of choice for fans of this supernatural suspense series.

8. A Case of Pocky

Original Pocky chocolate pretzels by Glico© Glico / Jbox.com

Price: $17.00 / 10 boxes
Available from: JBox.com

For many otaku, there's no such thing as too much Pocky. So give them the choco-overload they've been craving with a case of this addictive snack from Japan.

Not satisfied with original Pocky? Jbox.com also has strawberry, green tea or even "Men's Pocky" dipped in bittersweet chocolate. Mmm. Manly, but I like it too.

9. Learn Japanese T-Shirt

Learn Japanese TeeCourtesy Think Geek Inc.

Price: $15.99
Available from: Think Geek

Who says learning Japanese is hard? "Biiru" is beer. "Besubooru" is baseball. "Aisu Kureemu" is ice cream. And that Used Panty Machine? No comment! This tee is sure to get a few laughs from your fellow Japanese 101 classmates.

10. Otaku USA Magazine Subscription

Otaku USA December 2007© Otaku USA

Price: $29.95
Available from: Otaku USA

Independent and opinionated, Otaku USA is a new magazine written by and for fans of Japanese anime, manga, games and pop culture. Each issue includes in-depth articles, tons of color photos, reviews, commentary and manga previews, plus a bonus DVD with anime episodes and trailers, links to game demo sites and more.

11. Tekkon Kinkreet

Cover artwork for Tekkonkinkreet: Black and White by Taiyo Matsumoto, published by VIZ Media© Taiyo Matsumoto

Price: $29.95
Author & Artist: Taiyo Matsumoto
ISBN: 1-4215-1867-8
Publisher: VIZ Signature / VIZ Media
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Taiyo Matsumoto's surreal, violent yet heart-warming saga of two orphans in a merciless city is reprinted in a deluxe, over-sized, all-in-one graphic novel from VIZ Signature. One peek inside, and you'll know you're not in Konoha Village anymore -- but the sophisticated otaku who's ready for something beyond the usual ninjas and doe-eyed schoolgirls is in for a visual treat.

Toss in a DVD of the feature film anime version of this story from Sony Pictures for a one-two punch of cutting edge manga and anime artistry.

12. Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan

Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan by Aimee Major Steinberger, published by Go! Comi©2007 Aimee Major Steinberger

Price: $16.99
Author & Artist: Aimee Major Steinberger
Publisher: Go! Comi
ISBN: 978-1-933617-83-1
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American animator and cosplayer extraordinaire Aimee Major Steinberger takes a trip to Japan and shares her experiences with witty observations and absolutely adorable illustrations in Japan Ai, her travelogue/love letter to the Land of the Rising Sun.

See tall girl (Yes, she's 6-feet tall) Steinberger tower over her geisha dressing assistants, make the cosplay scene in Harajuku, swoon over a Takarazuka revue, experience the joys of an onsen (hot springs) resort and more memorable, only-in-Japan moments.

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