Gifts for Anime Fans: Start With Their Favorite Series
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 18 hand-picked ideas
Anime fandom is enormous, and it's built on specific loves. A fan of a quiet Studio Ghibli film and a fan of a long-running battle series may have almost nothing in common except the word anime. Most fans have one or two series they adore, a favorite character they'd defend in an argument, and strong feelings about whether to watch it subbed or dubbed. A gift that knows which show matters will always beat a generic one.
So the advice on this page is to find the series first, then pick the gift. We start with gifts for watching and reading, move to the collector's shelf, then to fans who build model kits and draw their own characters. There's a short section on getting merch right (and avoiding fakes), and a few small, Japan-inspired extras at the end.
For the fan who also plays games, gifts for gamers covers consoles and controllers. If they spend more time drawing than watching, gifts for artists has more supplies, and gifts for teens is useful if you're shopping for a younger fan.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
Giftruly is reader-supported. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we pick
Quick picks
For watching and reading
The safest anime gifts are the ones that give them more of the stories they love. Streaming access works for any fan, and physical media and manga are lovely for someone who wants to own a favorite rather than hope it stays online.
One small thing to know: fans split into those who watch with subtitles and those who prefer English dubs, and some feel strongly about it. Most streaming services and Blu-ray sets offer both, but if you're buying an older or more niche release, check the listing includes the version they like.
- 2
Classic Anime Series Complete Collection Blu-ray Box Set
~$110
A complete series on Blu-ray, usually with both Japanese audio and an English dub, in a box that looks good on a shelf. Fans who rewatch a favorite every couple of years love owning it outright. Only buy this for a series you know they love, and check it's the US release so it plays on their player.
- 3
Popular Manga Box Set for Beginners
~$48
A boxed set of the opening volumes of a popular series. Manga is read right to left, which takes about a page to get used to. It's a great gift for an anime watcher who's curious about the source material, or a teen who reads constantly. If they already follow a series, give the next volumes they're missing instead.
- 4
The Art of Spirited Away Book
~$35
A big hardcover of the sketches, paintings and backgrounds behind Miyazaki's film. Ghibli fans tend to be devoted, and this is a book they'll open again and again for the detail in every frame. It's also a treat for anyone who draws, since you can see how the animators built each scene.
For the collector's shelf
Collectors display their favorite characters with real pride, and they notice quality. Figures from established Japanese makers cost more than you might expect, and the price usually reflects the sculpting and paint. These gifts add to the shelf, or make it look better.
- 5~$55
Anime Collectible PVC Figure
A painted figure of a favorite character. Buy from a reputable shop; counterfeit figures are common and collectors spot them instantly.
Anime Fansunique - 6~$120
Premium Anime Collector Statue
A larger, more detailed statue for a serious collector's centerpiece. Confirm the character and their shelf space first.
Anime Fansluxe - 7~$40
Lighted Acrylic Display Case for Figures
Keeps dust off painted figures and lights one favorite from below. Measure the figure before choosing a size.
Anime FansLEGO Fanspractical - 8~$16
Japanese Anime Fabric Wall Scroll Poster
A hanging cloth poster that dresses up a dorm or bedroom wall without frames or nails in the plaster.
Anime FansHomebodiesfun
For the fan who builds and draws
Plenty of anime fans aren't content just to watch. They build model kits of the robots from their favorite shows, or fill sketchbooks with their own characters. These gifts feed that creative side, and they suit teens and adults equally.
- Our favorite9
Snap-Fit Mecha Plastic Model Kit
~$32
Snap-together robot kits, often called Gunpla when they're Gundam models, come with pre-colored parts and need no glue or paint. They're relaxing to build and pose nicely on a shelf when finished. Kits come in grades: High Grade is the friendly starting point, while Master Grade and Perfect Grade are much bigger and more complex. Pick a mecha from a show they love if you can.
- 10
Hobby Nippers and Model Kit Tool Set
~$25
Most first-time builders twist parts off the frame or use kitchen scissors, which leaves ugly white marks. Proper side cutters, a hobby knife and sanding sticks make the finished model look far cleaner. Pair it with a kit for a complete gift, or give it alone to someone who's already building.
- 11
Learn to Draw Manga Starter Kit
~$30
A guidebook plus pencils, inking pens and paper for drawing manga-style faces, figures and panels. It suits a teen or adult who doodles characters in notebook margins and wants some structure. The exercises cover the basics well, though more experienced artists will want to skip to supplies.
- 12
Alcohol Marker Set
~$40
Blendable alcohol markers give the smooth, flat color fans recognize from anime illustration. They bleed through ordinary paper, so add a pad of marker paper. A big set is a generous gift for someone who already draws and colors in pencil.
- 13
Digital Drawing Tablet
~$70
A pen tablet that plugs into a computer for drawing digitally, which is how most fan artists and many professional illustrators work. It takes some practice to draw on a pad while looking at a screen. Check they have a computer that can run drawing software before buying.
Getting the merch right
Before you buy anything with a character on it, find out who their favorites are. Look at their phone wallpaper, their profile picture or the posters on their wall, or ask a friend who watches with them. Getting the series right but the character wrong is a classic mistake: a fan of one character in a show may be completely indifferent to the main hero.
Be careful with figures and plush from marketplace sellers. Fake figures (fans call them bootlegs) are widespread, often with sloppy paint and cheap plastic, and buying from an official store or a well-known hobby retailer avoids the problem. Also, some anime figures are styled for adult collectors, so look at the product photos closely if you're buying for a teenager. And if you're unsure about their taste, the watching and reading gifts above are the safest bet on this page.
Small extras with a taste of Japan
Inexpensive gifts for stockings, birthdays and add-ons, for fans who love Japanese food and pop culture as much as the shows.
14.Japanese Snack Box Assortment ~$35
A box of Japanese candy, chips and treats, including the snacks characters are always eating on screen. Fun to share.
15.Japanese Ramen Bowl Set with Chopsticks and Spoons ~$30
Deep ceramic bowls with spoons and chopsticks, for the ramen nights every fan has wanted since their first lovingly animated noodle scene.
16.Anime Style Enamel Pin Set ~$14
Small enamel pins for a backpack or jacket. A cheap, cheerful pick for a teen whose bag is already half covered.
17.Kawaii Plush Pillow ~$22
A soft round character pillow for a bed or gaming chair. Cozy, cute and popular with younger fans.
18.Acrylic LED Anime Character Night Light Stand ~$16
An acrylic panel of character art lit from below. A desk light that doubles as a tiny display piece.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
Tips for buying anime gifts
Find their favorite series and character before buying merch. Specific beats generic every time.
Buy figures from official shops or established hobby retailers. Counterfeits are common and easy for fans to spot.
If you can't work out their favorites, give access instead: a streaming card, the first volumes of a manga or an art book.
Model kits come in difficulty grades. High Grade kits are the easy entry point.
Want more ideas? Describe them to our gift finder, including the shows they love.
Anime fan gift questions
What do you get an anime fan if you don't know what they watch?
A Crunchyroll gift card, a Japanese snack box or a manga starter box set are safe choices. A Studio Ghibli art book is another good option, since Ghibli films are loved by fans of almost every kind.
How can I tell if an anime figure is fake?
Fakes are usually far cheaper than the official price, sold by marketplace sellers with no brand information, and often have messy paint and flimsy boxes. Buying from the manufacturer's store or a well-known hobby shop is the easiest way to avoid them.
What is Gunpla and is it a good gift?
Gunpla are snap-together plastic model kits of robots from the Gundam series, and the name is often used for similar mecha kits. They need no glue or paint, which makes them a great gift for teens and adults who like building. Start with a High Grade kit.
What are cheap gifts for anime fans?
Enamel pins, a wall scroll, an LED character light, a plush pillow or a set of hobby tools for model kits all cost under $30.