Ten Great Gifts for Otaku Boys

Holiday Gift Guide

If you’re looking for a great gift for that special Otaku boy who loves Anime, there are a variety of cool items out there, perfect for the holidays. But to know exactly what to buy, it might be a good idea to know a little bit about Anime and what the recipient actually enjoys. Anime is a vast world involving thousands of characters and animation styles. What is Anime? Before you head to the comic shop or cruise online anime stores, there is a lot to know. First and foremost, in America, Anime is a term used to describe all forms of Japanese animation or cartoons. In Japan, the term Anime means all forms of animation no matter where it originates, and Otaku? Well, that is a basic term that fanboys and fangirls are called because of their obsession. It means “nerd” or “obsessive.”

Anime has been around since the 1960’s, but it didn’t really develop a Western fanbase until the 80’s with children’s shows like G-Force, Voltron, Gundam, and Macross. The Manga format, typically considered to be the comic or graphic novel form of Anime, has a very specific following, and Hentai and Ecchi, the adult forms of Anime, customarily involves graphic violence and sexual situations. The key to purchasing a gift for an anime fan is to pay attention to the style of Anime that Otaku likes. Just buying a Pokemon lighter, for example, might be an example of an Anime purchase, but it won’t necessarily be a type of anime that the recipient enjoys and therefore a definite miss.

Animerica T-Shirts are gifts in good taste for most Anime fans. Animerica is one of the most popular magazines out there to discuss the Anime subculture. This free magazine is often the best source for anime news and reviews, contests and fan content. Animerica Magazine is free at most Borders and Waldenbooks bookstores. Animerica is one of the best places to find out information on conventions and art festivals.