Gifts for Anime Fans and Anime Lovers
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $10 to $100 and up
- 8 niche picks
Good gifts for anime fans match the series they love: a Gundam model kit, a One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen figure, Studio Ghibli pieces such as a Totoro plush, or the first volume of a manga. Builders, readers and fan artists each have their own shelf. These 20 ideas cover all three.
Quick picks
- Best overall: A Gundam model kit A snap-together Gundam kit that suits fans who like building as much as watching. Idea 5
- Best under $25: Volume 1 of Frieren Volume 1 of Frieren, a low-cost way to start a manga shelf. Idea 15
- Best for Ghibli fans: The Art of Spirited Away An art book on the making of Spirited Away. Idea 9
- Best for anime night: A ramen bowl set for anime nights A plain ceramic ramen bowl set for watching at home. Idea 17
- Best splurge: The first One Piece manga box set Volumes 1 to 23 of One Piece in one box set. Idea 14
The best gifts for anime lovers start with the series, not the genre. Someone who watches One Piece wants different things from a Studio Ghibli fan or a Jujutsu Kaisen follower, so we sorted these ideas by series and by what the person does with their fandom: display, build, read or create.
We stuck to official and licensed items where a series is named. If you are unsure what they already own, a manga volume, a small figure or a model-kit tool is a safe place to start. For a younger fan, Gifts for Teens has more ideas, and a streaming subscription such as Crunchyroll works if you know which service they use.
Ideas 1 to 4
Anime figures and shelf pieces
Official figures for fans who display their favorite characters.
1. A Gear 5 Luffy prize figure
Gear 5 is a form Luffy takes in the later One Piece story, which makes this figure a fit for a fan who is starting a shelf or already follows the newer chapters. Banpresto makes official figures sized for a desk or shelf. Check that the character and form match what the person actually watches before you buy.
Tip: Ask which One Piece character is their favorite before you buy.
2. A poseable Satoru Gojo figure
Bandai's Anime Heroes line makes official, poseable action figures, and Satoru Gojo is an easy pick for a Jujutsu Kaisen fan who collects figures. A poseable figure suits someone who likes to arrange scenes on a shelf. The listing has small parts, so it is meant for teens and adults; check the age label on the listing.
Tip: Small parts: check the age label on the listing before you buy.
3. A Funko Pop of Megumi and his dogs
A Funko Pop Buddy pairs Megumi Fushiguro with his shikigami dogs, an easy shelf add-on for a Jujutsu Kaisen fan. Vinyl Funko figures are made for display and sit well beside other character figures. It is a small gift, so it works for a stocking or as a companion to a bigger present. Check the age label on the listing.
Tip: Pairs well with the Satoru Gojo figure for a Jujutsu Kaisen shelf.
4. Display stands for posing figures
Action stands let a collector pose figures mid-jump or mid-attack on the shelf instead of standing them flat, which suits someone with a growing figure collection and a crowded shelf. Tamashii Nations is Bandai's own collector line. Check that the stand is made for the type of figure they own, since stands are designed for specific figure sizes.
Tip: Check the stand fits the figures they own before you buy.
Ideas 5 to 8
Gunpla and model kits for builders
Snap-together kits and the small tools that make them look finished.
5. A Gundam model kit
Gunpla kits snap together without glue into a detailed, poseable robot, and model building is its own corner of anime fandom. The RX-78-2 is the original Gundam and a classic first kit for someone who likes building as much as watching. It has small parts, so it is a gift for teens and adults; check the age label.
Tip: Pair with side cutters and markers for a complete builder's set.
6. A Thousand Sunny model ship kit
Bandai's Grand Ship Collection kit of the Straw Hats' ship snaps together without glue and is molded in color, so it looks finished without paint. It suits a One Piece fan who likes to build and wants a display piece. It has small parts, so it is a gift for teens and adults; check the age label on the listing.
Tip: Snap-together and glue-free, so it needs no paint or tools.
7. Sharp side cutters for model kits
Clean cuts from the sprue mean fewer white stress marks on Gunpla parts, and a sharp, pointed side cutter is a standard first upgrade from household snips. This suits a builder who has been using kitchen scissors. It is a blade tool, so it is a gift for teens and adults. Pair it with a new kit.
Tip: A blade tool: for teens and adults. Pair with a kit.
8. Gundam markers for shading
Real Touch markers add soft shading and weathering that make a snap-together kit look less like a toy. This set from GSI Creos is made for Gunpla, so it suits a builder who wants kits to look finished and is ready to go beyond plain assembly. It works well as a pairing with a new model kit.
Tip: Pair with a model kit for a ready-to-build gift set.
Ideas 9 to 13
Studio Ghibli gifts
Gifts for fans of Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service.
9. The Art of Spirited Away
An art book on the making of Spirited Away suits a Ghibli fan who wants to look closer at the film's design and backgrounds. It is a book to keep on a coffee table or shelf and flip through again, so it works well for someone who already owns the film. Check which Ghibli film is their favorite before you buy.
Tip: Check their favorite Ghibli film first; there are other art books.
10. A small official Totoro plush
An official My Neighbor Totoro beanbag plush holding a leaf suits a Ghibli fan who wants a small, display-sized gift. At five inches it fits on a desk or shelf, so it is easy to wrap and ship. It is a good add-on to a Ghibli book or film. Check the age label on the listing if the recipient is a child.
Tip: Easy to tuck into a card or pair with a Ghibli book.
11. A crystal jigsaw of Jiji
Ensky's Art Crystal jigsaws are official Studio Ghibli puzzles, and this one features Jiji from Kiki's Delivery Service. It suits a Ghibli fan who also likes puzzles and wants something to build and then display. It is a small, unusual gift for someone who already owns the films. Check that they like jigsaw puzzles before you buy.
Tip: Check they enjoy puzzles; it is a build-and-display piece.
12. A No-Face music box
A Studio Ghibli music box featuring Kaonashi (No-Face) from Spirited Away suits a fan who wants a keepsake rather than a toy. It makes a quiet shelf piece for someone who loves the film. This listing comes from a seller who imports from Japan, so allow time for shipping if you need it by a certain date.
Tip: Imported item: allow extra time for delivery before the holiday.
13. A Spirited Away steelbook
A limited edition steelbook of Spirited Away on Blu-ray suits a fan who collects physical media and wants a display copy of the film. It needs a Blu-ray player, so check what they watch on before you buy. It is a good fit for someone who already loves the film and wants a keepsake edition on the shelf.
Tip: Needs a Blu-ray player, so check their setup first.
Ideas 14 to 17
Manga gifts, games and anime night
For fans who read, play or watch at home.
14. The first One Piece manga box set
Box Set 1 collects volumes 1 to 23, from East Blue through Baroque Works, a big and satisfying start for a fan who knows the anime or the live-action show and wants to read the manga. It is a large gift, so it suits someone you want to give a long read. Box Set 2 continues the story if they finish it.
Tip: Box Set 2 continues the story, so you can plan a follow-up gift.
15. Volume 1 of Frieren
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is a gentle, reflective fantasy series, and the first volume is a low-cost way to see whether a fan wants the rest. It suits someone who has watched the anime and wants to read where the story began. These manga gifts fit a card, so they are easy to give and ship. Check which volume they have.
Tip: Check whether they already own the volume; it is the first one.
16. One Piece Monopoly
USAopoly's licensed Monopoly: One Piece Edition adds flag cards for forming alliances with characters from the series, which suits a One Piece fan who likes games with friends or family. It is a gift to play together, not only to display. Check the age label on the listing for the players who will join in.
Tip: Check the age label on the listing before you buy.
17. A ramen bowl set for anime nights
A ceramic ramen bowl with a lid, spoon and chopsticks suits anyone who watches anime at home and likes a bowl of noodles with it. This set is plain, with no anime branding, so it works for a fan who prefers a subtle nod over merchandise. Single and double sets are listing options, so choose how many bowls you need.
Tip: Single and double sets are options: pick one or two bowls.
Ideas 18 to 20
Gifts for fans who learn and create
For fans who want to read in Japanese, cosplay or draw their own art.
18. Genki, the beginner Japanese textbook
Genki is a beginner Japanese textbook, and a fan who wants to follow anime without subtitles may be ready for it. Volume 1 is the starting point, and the matching workbook is sold separately. It suits a fan who has already said they want to learn Japanese. It is a study book, so ask first if they would actually use it.
Tip: The matching workbook is sold separately if they want practice.
19. A cosplay armor and props guide
A book on making cosplay armor and props suits a fan who builds their own costumes for conventions. It covers making pieces from scratch rather than buying them, so it fits someone who likes making things by hand. Check whether they already own a costume guide, and ask what kind of character they want to make.
Tip: Ask what they plan to build so you know the book fits.
20. Copic markers for fan art
A 12-color Copic Ciao basic set suits a fan who draws their own characters or fan art. It works best for someone who already draws and colors by hand, since the set is a starting palette rather than a full range of colors. Check which colors they use most.
Tip: Ask which colors they use before buying a different set.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gifts for anime fans?
Match the series they watch: a Gundam model kit, a One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen figure, or a Studio Ghibli keepsake such as a Totoro plush or an art book. A manga volume or box set suits a fan who reads. Fan artists and cosplayers may prefer Copic markers or a costume-making guide.
What are good Christmas gifts for anime fans?
A manga volume, a figure from a series they follow or a Ghibli plush fits a stocking or a small present. A Gundam kit or the One Piece box set suits a bigger gift. If you are not sure what they own, ask a friend which series is their current favorite.
What are good manga gifts?
Volume 1 of a series they already like is a low-risk start; Frieren and One Piece are in this guide. A box set such as One Piece Box Set 1 collects many volumes at once. Check which volumes they own, and whether they prefer reading or watching the same series.
What are good gifts for a Studio Ghibli fan?
The Art of Spirited Away suits a fan who likes film design, and an official Totoro plush is a small desk piece. A Jiji crystal jigsaw suits puzzle fans, and a No-Face music box or a Spirited Away steelbook suits collectors. Check which Ghibli film is their favorite.
What is a good gift for an anime fan who has everything?
Look at the hobby around the fandom: Gunpla side cutters or Gundam markers for a builder, figure stands for a collector, or Copic markers for a fan artist. A Japanese textbook such as Genki suits a fan who wants to learn the language. Ask about their current series before you buy.
What are good anime gifts for a boyfriend or brother?
Start with the series they watch, not the genre. A figure from that series, a Gundam model kit or a manga box set are all easy picks. For game nights, One Piece Monopoly works; for watching at home, a ramen bowl set is a quiet nod to anime nights.
