| Whether you need a gift for Christmas, a | | | | YesAsia and other import websites. |
| birthday or other occasion, anime fans can be | | | | Video Games |
| hard to buy for, especially if you know little about | | | | Many of the most popular anime series like |
| the world known as "anime". First, let me explain a | | | | Naruto, Inuyasha and Bleach also have video |
| little about anime. Anime is a type of animation | | | | games based on them. This is a great gift idea |
| that started in Japan. Basically, you can call it a | | | | since what anime fan wouldn't want to play a |
| Japanese version of cartoons. However, anime | | | | game as their favorite character? Make sure to |
| has some big differences. Where American | | | | find out what game system they have so you |
| animation tends to be geared primarily towards | | | | can get a game for their particular console or |
| children, there are actually many types of anime, | | | | handheld. |
| geared for many ages and interests. For instance, | | | | Music |
| there are anime series targeted squarely at | | | | Many anime fans become interested in Japanese |
| young boys, young girls, young women and so on. | | | | culture through anime, especially since popular |
| There are also adult anime series, with more adult | | | | Japanese artists and bands are used on the |
| themes and content. There are also many | | | | soundtracks to the majority of anime series. You |
| different thematic styles of anime, including those | | | | can get them the soundtrack to the series or |
| centered around robots (called mecha), romantic | | | | even a few JPOP or JROCK CD's. JPOP and |
| anime, fighting anime and so on. | | | | JROCK is the abbreviation of Japanese pop and |
| In order for you to choose a fantastic gift for the | | | | Japanese rock music. Find many artists at both |
| anime fan in your life, you first need an idea of | | | | YesAsia and eBay. Popular Japanese music artists |
| what anime series or at least what kind of anime | | | | include Ayumi Hamasaki (pop), Utada Hikaru (pop |
| series they enjoy. Find out by perusing their DVD | | | | R&B), Arashi (pop boy band), L'Arc-en-Ciel |
| collection or checking what they watch on TV. | | | | (rock band), Morning Musume (pop girl band) and |
| Once you know the series they like, here are | | | | many more. |
| some suggestions for surefire gifts for anime | | | | Collectibles & Decorative Items |
| fans: | | | | There are also many collectibles and decorative |
| Manga | | | | items available for some series. Consider animation |
| Manga is simply the Japanese version of comic | | | | cells, limited edition toys, photo albums, calendars, |
| books or graphic novels. Many anime series are | | | | posters and more. Find these at YesAsia and |
| based on a manga series. Any anime fan would | | | | eBay. |
| love the original manga their favorite anime is | | | | Clothing & Apparel |
| based on. For original Japanese manga, you can | | | | Some anime fans enjoy dressing up as their |
| usually find some on eBay and at Japanese | | | | favorite character, this is called "cosplay". Try to |
| importers like JustManga and For the most | | | | find out who their favorite character is and get |
| popular anime series, like Inuyasha, you can find | | | | them a costume or accessories. For instance, an |
| English translated manga books at many major | | | | Inuyasha fan would love a necklace like the one |
| bookstores. | | | | Inuyasha wears or a play sword like he uses. Or |
| Live Action and Japanese Drama DVD's | | | | go all out and get them a full costume just like |
| Some anime and manga series have a live action | | | | their favorite character. One place to check out is |
| version, like Sailor Moon, that a Sailor Moon fan | | | | |
| would likely be interested in. If your anime fan | | | | Language Books or Software |
| seems interested in Japanese culture, then | | | | If your anime fan has a serious interest in |
| consider getting them some Japanese TV drama | | | | Japanese culture, then consider getting them a |
| series. There are many Japanese drama series | | | | book or audio learning set to help them learn, read |
| aimed at tweens and teens that usually take | | | | and write Japanese. This is an excellent gift option |
| place in school or high school. Check out Nodame | | | | if you're having a hard time finding gifts from their |
| Cantabile, Hana Yori Dango and Gokusen, each | | | | favorite anime series. This is also a gift you can |
| was based on anime or manga series or both. | | | | feel good about, since learning a new language is a |
| Look for these series at places like YesAsia and | | | | very valuable skill for their future. |
| on eBay. Make sure to get the English subtitled | | | | Food |
| versions. | | | | From sushi to Pocky, if your anime fan has an |
| Toys | | | | interest in Japanese culture, they might like to try |
| Some anime series, like Gundam, Neon Genesis | | | | some of the food they have seen consumed in |
| Evangelion and others, have many toys available. | | | | animes and dramas. Some suggestions include a |
| If you really want to get a special gift, try to get | | | | sushi making kit, Japanese candy and gum, Pocky |
| some of the toys that are imported from Japan. | | | | (a pretzel covered with chocolate), strange |
| Toys available include action figures, vehicles, | | | | flavored Japanese versions of candy bars like |
| stuffed toys, models and dolls. You can find toys | | | | KitKat and more. You can find many types of |
| for the most popular anime series at major toy | | | | Japanese candy at AsianFoodGrocer and other |
| stores, but for not so popular series, try eBay, | | | | Japanese food import sites. |