Gifts for Anime Fans: Start With Their Favorite Series

By the Gift DeskUpdated October 8, 202618 hand-picked ideas

Quick picks

Works for any fanCrunchyroll Premium Gift Card~$25
For a Ghibli loverThe Art of Spirited Away Book~$30
For a hands-on fanSnap-Fit Mecha Plastic Model Kit~$10

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.

Shopping for Christmas?Open the Christmas gift finder

Giftruly is reader-supported. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we pick

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.

1
Crunchyroll Premium Gift Card
Crunchyroll is the largest anime-focused streaming service, with new episodes posted soon after they air in Japan and a huge back catalog. A prepaid card covers ad-free viewing for a stretch of months. It’s a fine choice when you don’t know which shows they’re watching, though a few big series stream on general services instead, so it’s worth a casual question.
On Amazonabout $25
2
Classic Anime Series Complete Collection Blu-ray Box Set
Neon Genesis Evangelion Complete Series Blu-ray
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.
On Amazonabout $110
3
Popular Manga Box Set for Beginners
My Hero Academia Box Set 1 (Volumes 1-20)
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.
On Amazonabout $140
4
The Art of Spirited Away Book
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.
On Amazonabout $30

Know exactly who it’s for?

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
Anime Collectible PVC Figure
Good Smile Company Nendoroid Figure
A painted figure of a favorite character. Buy from a reputable shop; counterfeit figures are common and collectors spot them instantly.
On Amazonabout $65
6
Premium Anime Collector Statue
Kotobukiya ARTFX J Chainsaw Man 1/8 Statue
A larger, more detailed statue for a serious collector’s centerpiece. Confirm the character and their shelf space first.
On Amazonabout $190
7
Lighted Acrylic Display Case for Figures
Keeps dust off painted figures and lights one favorite from below. Measure the figure before choosing a size.
On Amazonabout $40
8
Japanese Anime Fabric Wall Scroll Poster
Rurouni Kenshin Anime Fabric Wall Scroll
A hanging cloth poster that dresses up a dorm or bedroom wall without frames or nails in the plaster.
On Amazonabout $16

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
Bandai Entry Grade Strike Gundam 1/144
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.
On Amazonabout $10
10
Hobby Nippers and Model Kit Tool Set
Tamiya Basic Tool Set
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.
On Amazonabout $25
11
Learn to Draw Manga Starter Kit
Prismacolor Scholar Manga Drawing Set
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.
On Amazonabout $9
12
Alcohol Marker Set
Ohuhu Oahu Alcohol Markers, 80 Colors
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.
On Amazonabout $45
13
Digital Drawing Tablet
XP-Pen Deco 01 V3 Drawing Pen Tablet
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.
On Amazonabout $70

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
A box of Japanese candy, chips and treats, including the snacks characters are always eating on screen. Fun to share.
On Amazonabout $35
15.
Japanese Ramen Bowl Set with Chopsticks and Spoons
BICETTO Japanese Ceramic Ramen Bowl Set
Deep ceramic bowls with spoons and chopsticks, for the ramen nights every fan has wanted since their first lovingly animated noodle scene.
On Amazonabout $50
16.
Anime Style Enamel Pin Set
Chainsaw Man Chibi 4-Piece Enamel Pin Set
Small enamel pins for a backpack or jacket. A cheap, cheerful pick for a teen whose bag is already half covered.
On Amazonabout $14
17.
Kawaii Plush Pillow
Sanrio Cinnamoroll 12-Inch Cloud Pillow
A soft round character pillow for a bed or gaming chair. Cozy, cute and popular with younger fans.
On Amazonabout $15
18.
Acrylic LED Anime Character Night Light Stand
Otaku Lamps Enjin Anime Acrylic LED Lamp
An acrylic panel of character art lit from below. A desk light that doubles as a tiny display piece.
On Amazonabout $16

Shop this guide by price

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.

Gifts for LEGO Fans Gifts for Movie Lovers Gifts for Gamers Gifts for Artists & Crafters Gifts for Teens Gifts for Kids by Age Gifts for Niece Gifts for Tweens

For watching and reading

Know exactly who it’s for?

For the collector’s shelf

For the fan who builds and draws

Getting the merch right

Small extras with a taste of Japan

Shop this guide by price

Under $25

$25–$50

$50–$100

$100+

Tips for buying anime gifts

Anime fan gift questions

Related gift guides

For watching and reading

Know exactly who it’s for?

For the collector’s shelf

For the fan who builds and draws

Getting the merch right

Small extras with a taste of Japan

Shop this guide by price

Under $25

$25–$50

$50–$100

$100+