Anime Gift Ideas from Our Friends Around the Web!

If you’re still looking for the perfect holiday gift for your nerdy friends, geeky family members, or even just your otaku self, we have some great picks from some of our partners around the web for you to choose from. Blu-Rays, games, merch... it’s all here. Let’s check it out!


Blu-Rays from GKIDS

Future Boy Conan

Hailing from the far-flung year of 1978, Future Boy Conan is the very first project directed by Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki. It’s an epic sci-fi story about normal people trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, and if you’re familiar with Miyazaki’s style, you can see how much it influenced his later works. This Blu-Ray is the first time Future Boy Conan has been released in North America, and it comes with full 4K remastering on all 26 episodes and an optional all-new English dub. This is the perfect gift for anime history buffs!

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Standard Edition

Here’s another cornerstone of anime history for you: Neon Genesis Evangelion! This psychological mecha series practically pioneered the “dark deconstruction” approach to anime genres, and it’s still one of the most recognizable Japanese IPs ever made. This Blu-Ray collection contains the entire original series as well as Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion in 1080p high definition, with both the original Japanese and English audio. Plus, it comes with over five hours of supplemental materials like music videos, TV commercials, animatics, and more. If you know someone who was disappointed by Netflix’s treatment of this series, why not give them the gift of the original version?

Earwig and the Witch

Earwig and the Witch, based on the beloved children’s novel by Diana Wynne Jones (who also wrote the source material for Howl’s Moving Castle), is the latest film from Studio Ghibli and was directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro Miyazaki. The CG art style is a different direction for this studio, but the charming tale of a young girl finding her place in a magical world she never knew she belonged to works stunningly well no matter how many dimensions its visuals have. The Blu-Ray includes feature-length storyboards, a behind-the-scenes documentary, interviews with the Japanese cast, and even a special tote bag! It’s a great pick for family movie night.

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Lupin III the First

Everyone’s favorite gentleman thief is back with an all-new adventure in this gorgeous CG animated film, complete with everything you’d ever want from a Lupin III jaunt: aerial chases, prison breaks, booby-trapped tombs, and rescuing priceless artifacts from Nazis! The Blu-Ray set also comes with interviews with the director and Japanese cast, as well as a segment about the original English cast reuniting for this film. Whether this is your gift recipient’s first outing with Lupin III or their 50th, they’ll surely enjoy the ride.


Blu-Rays and Anime Merch from Funimation

One Piece Film: Gold

While your One Piece loving friend is busy theorizing about what could happen in One Piece Film: Red, why not surprise them with a Blu-Ray of One Piece Film: Gold to tide them over? The Straw Hat pirates fight a brand-new enemy in the gilded streets of a Las Vegas style gambling paradise – a pretty unique setting for a big shounen anime movie! With crisp 1080p definition and clear Dolby TrueHD sound, you couldn’t find a better home viewing experience for this glitzy film than this release from Funimation. Enjoy it with champagne and a rhinestone-encrusted outfit!

My Hero Academia All Might Inspired Backpack

Life is only as Plus Ultra as you make it, and this backpack patterned with All Might’s signature suit design will definitely help your gift recipient seize the day in a whole new way. It comes with plenty of compartments for hero gear, adjustable pockets, and has a place to store a laptop. One unusual feature is that it doesn’t feature any logos or characters, so it makes for a perfect cosplay prop or stealth mode anime accessory. Only true fans will recognize this backpack as a tribute to the Symbol of Peace.


Video Games from XSEED Games

Shadowverse: Champions Battle

Do you know someone who’s completely obsessed with Shadowverse? The original version of the game has been out for some time on PC and mobile, but Shadowverse: Champions Battle for Nintendo Switch is a little bit different. It combines the existing mechanics with an RPG based on the anime adaptation, creating a whole new way to experience the game. There are over 600 cards to collect (including new ones), all kinds of ways to play online, and a fun story to top it all off. It’s sure to keep a devoted player busy throughout the whole holiday season!

AKIBA'S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed – "10th Anniversary Edition"

For the very first time, English-speaking fans can officially experience the first game in the Akiba’s Trip series with this 10th anniversary remastered edition for Nintendo Switch or PS4. Along with improved graphics and an optional English dub, this set comes with all sorts of goodies: an artbook with almost 100 pages of concept art and illustrations, a tie-in short story, and the full 47-song original soundtrack on CD. If you have a friend who adores Japanese street fashion and cute girls doing very ecchi things with Japanese street fashion, this game could make their whole year.

STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town Premium Edition

Pioneers of Olive Town is the latest entry in the Harvest Moon franchise (now released under the international title “Story of Seasons”), and it brings plenty of new upgrades to the classic farming simulator game. Olive Town itself has over 200 unique events and festivals, the farm is customizable down to the tiniest detail, and difficulty settings allow for both new and experienced players to enjoy themselves. The Premium Edition comes with a cloth poster featuring the key art for the game, as well as a cute little plushie of mascot Buffy the buffalo. For farming sim fans, there’s nothing better than a new playground to make their own!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our list of geeky gift ideas for the holidays. Would you get any of these for your friends and family? Let us know in the comments, and thanks so much for reading!

ONE-PIECE-FILM-GOLD-wallpaper-3-699x500 Anime Gift Ideas from Our Friends Around the Web!

Editor/Writer

Author: Mary Lee Sauder

After the hard-hitting East Coast lifestyle hit me a bit too hard, I started pursuing my passion as a writer in my cozy home state of Ohio. Aside from that, I spend my time cooking, cosplaying, collecting anime merch, and being an improv comedy actor. I also love sneaking alliterations and stupid puns into my writing, so be on the lookout for them! 😉

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