Otaku Gift Guide

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.