You are here:About>Hobbies & Games>Manga> Shopping & Fan Sites> Otaku Gift Guide – Gift Ideas for Manga, Anime and Game Fans
About.comManga

Otaku Gift Guide

From Deb Aoki,
Your Guide to Manga.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

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.

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

1. Mimoco Limited Edition Domo-kun Flash Drive

Domokun Mimobot Flash Drive
© NHK Television / Mimoco

Price: $49.95
Available from: Mimoco

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!

2. 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
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.

3. 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.

4. Haruhi Suzumiya Collectible PVC Figurine

Haruhi Suzumiya PVC Figurine
© Kyoto Animation

Price: $39.99
Available from: Entertainment Earth

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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. The Art of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

The Art of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki, published by VIZ Media
© Hayao Miyazaki / /Studio Ghibli

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.

8. Fujoshi Paradise Yaoi Manga Tour of Japan

Shinjuku street scene  - Pop Japan Travel Winter Snow and Samurai Tour 2007
© Pop Japan Travel / DMP Inc.

Price: $1,998.00
Available from: Pop Japan Travel

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.

9. 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
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.

Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.