Outrageously Fun Collectibles and Gear For Manga and Anime Fans
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.
The quirky brown mascot of the NHK TV network in Japan, Domo-kun is now a mascot for your computer. This 1 GB USB flash drive is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, and is available as a limited edition of 3,000. Domo-kun also comes with an optional velour jumpsuit that protects him from scratches and adds a handy clip to add him to your keychain or lanyard.
The limited edition Domo-kun drives are also available in his other incarnations, rasta Domo and ninja Domo, and comes pre-loaded with 23 stop-motion animated clips of Domo in action!
Price: $16.99 Author & Artist: Aimee Major Steinberger Publisher: Go! Comi ISBN: 978-1-933617-83-1 Read a review of Japan Ai Compare prices for Japan Ai
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.
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.
Everyone's favorite eccentric, space alien-seeking cutie from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is now a collectible Nendoroid PVC figure from Good Smile Company.
This super-deformed, ultra cute Haruhi Suzumiya figure comes with 3 interchageable heads, so you can change your figure's moods to happy, angry or just cheeky. She also comes with two interchangeable red arm bands and two interchangeable hands. One hand has her pointing her finger and the other one has her with her noise maker.
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.
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: $34.99 US / $39.99 CANADA Author & Artist: Hayao Miyazaki Publisher: Ghibli Library / VIZ Media ISBN: 978-1-4215-1499-4 Compare Prices for The Art of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
What Walt Disney is to American animation, Hayao Miyazaki is to anime: a beloved master storyteller and artist. Now a full-color collection of his watercolor illustrations and sketches for the Nausicaä anime and manga created for Animage Magazine are collected in a gorgeous full-color art book that fans will find endlessly fascinating.
This April, take a trip to Tokyo that you'll never forget with Pop Japan Travel's first ever boys love / yaoi manga tour. Go shopping for manga and rare collectibles on Otome Road, meet manga artist Makoto Tateno (Yellow, Hero's Heel), enjoy a bishonen revue and much, much more.
Reservation deadline is March 3, 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: $29.95 Author & Artist: Taiyo Matsumoto ISBN: 1-4215-1867-8 Publisher: VIZ Signature / VIZ Media Compare Prices for Tekkon Kinkreet: Black and White graphic novel Compare Prices for Tekkon Kinkreet DVD from Sony Pictures
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.
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