I put my holiday guide together a little late this year, on account of giving myself time to finish up NaNoWriMo last week. But if you’re like me, you’re still in the midst of holiday shopping.
For the fifth year in a row, I’ve put together a Christmas gift guide to help you figure out what your anime-loving loved ones might want this year. As usual, all Amazon links are affiliate links. Check it out:
Books and Movies
1. My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness. Kabi Nagata’s poignant tale of isolation and self-discovery became a bestseller this year. My review. $9, Amazon.
2. Your Name. The most emotional anime movie of the year is now available on Blu-Ray. $20, Amazon.
3. Gundam Wing Collector’s Box. I rarely put actual anime in the gift guide but this collection, available for the first time in decades, is on my personal list. $154, Amazon.
Toys and Games
4. Flow of Goldfish 1000 Piece Puzzle. Fuzichoco’s detailed fantasy art is perfect for jigsaw format. I built this one with my family and it took three days! $42, Playing Grounded.
5. Good Smile Serval Nendoroid. Remember 2017’s most bizarre cult favorite, Kemono Friends, with your own Serval figure. $44, Amazon.
6. Tokaido board game. Perfect for Japanophiles: a game where you travel from Kyoto to Edo. Whoever has the most fun along the way is the winner. $35, Amazon.
Clothes and Accessories
7. Pocky pin. A subtle way to wear a certain anime fan culinary favorite literally on your sleeve. $10, Fairycakes on Etsy.
8. Mob Psycho tee. In sweet pastels, this anime shirt is equal parts fandom signifier and fashion statement. $15, Hot Topic.
9. Mecha mobile case. “Woundwort” is one of Rideth Mochi’s beautiful Gundam portraits, blending familiar imagery with a soft gradient style. $36, Society6.
For the Home
10. Kitty Lamp. It says “for kids,” but anyone who’s into kawaii home furnishings won’t care. $7, Amazon.
11. Gundam Girl. My jaw dropped at this surprising series of oil paintings that blend my favorite mecha series with traditional pinup art. $50, WingedCanvas on Etsy.
12. Totoro Rainbow. This linen pillow cover is one of 11 possible Ghibli-inspired designs, so you could mix and match your living room. $9, Amazon.
See also: