Yatta-Tachi’s 2025 Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gift for the animanga fan in your life? No idea where to start? Well, in the words of Douglas Adams, “Don’t Panic!” This guide will help you find exactly what you need for whoever you need it for, regardless of their age.

Box Sets

If you’re willing to splash out, box sets are the way to go. They make a real impact when unwrapped, especially since the inside often contains extras. Box sets are cheaper than buying every volume separately, so your gift-ee will be grateful for what you’ve done!

Toilet Bound Hanako-kun

The packaging for this boxset replicates Hanako-kun’s toilet. It makes for a fun image that will look great on display. The first set contains volumes 1 to 10 , and the second volumes 11 to 20 . So if the person you’re gifting this to has already started collecting the series, you don’t have to worry about doubling up on volumes. The series itself has a pastel-goth aesthetic, combining supernatural horror with sitcom humour. I’d recommend it for ages 12 and up.

• Story and Art: AidaIro
• Translators: Alethea and Athena Nibley
• Letterer: James Moriarty
• Published in English by Yen Press
• RRP: $130 USD / £120 GBP

Sailor Moon

This iconic shoujo manga is now available in a glittery two-part box set! Set 1 contains volumes 1-6 and the second 7- 10, as well as new paperback translations of Code Name: Sailor V – the two-volume prequel series that started it all. Both sets include 16 high-quality prints of Takeuchi’s iconic illustrations, making for 32 in total. Sailor Moon is beloved for a reason, having been around for 3 decades. The various stage plays are still attracting audiences worldwide! I’d recommend this series for ages 12 and up.

• Story and Art: Naoko Takeuchi
• Translator: Alethea and Athena Nibley
• Letterer:  Lys Blakeslee
• Published in English by Kodansha
• RRP: $77.94 USD / £77.94 GBP

Dragon Ball

The influence of Dragon Ball on global media is unfathomable. This box set contains the first 16 volumes of the original manga, as well as a collector’s booklet filled with fun trivia and an interview with the late Akira Toriyama. This would be perfect for the adult in your life who read this series as a kid but lost track of their volumes over various moves. It’s the perfect nostalgia hit. I’d recommend this series for ages 10 and up, but realistically I think it’s best suited for those aged 40 and up.

• Story and Art: Akira Toriyama
• Translator: Mari Morimoto
• Adaptor: Gerard Jones
• Letterer: Wayne Truman
• Series Design: Sean Lee
• Editors: Amy Yu and Leyla Aker
• Published in English by Viz Media
• RRP:  $169.99 USD / £125.00 GBP

Delicious in Dungeon

Delicious in Dungeon was one of the biggest hits of last year! This boxset contains the 14 volume series together with an exclusive poster featuring all the monster illustrations from the back covers. The box itself is designed to look like a mimic, a monster that disguises itself as a treasure chest to catch its prey. This makes it a great gift not just for manga fans, but also Dungeons & Dragons fans you’re trying to get hooked on manga. The series itself is part fantasy dungeon crawl, part cookbook, with a plethora of fun characters that will tug at your heartstrings. I’d recommend this series for ages 17 and up.

• Story and Art: Ryoko Kui
• Translator: Abigail Blackman
• Letterer: Taylor Engel
• Published in English by Yen Press
• RRP: $225 USD / £185 GBP

Companion Books

Lots of major series these days include spin off series, as well as fan books containing exclusive interviews, behind the scenes sketches, and illustrations from other famous creators who are fans of the book. Both make for great gifts, since they’re usually the same price as a regular manga volume and your friend who’s into the series is less likely to have one.

Spy X Family: The Official Guide – Eyes Only

This companion to the popular Shonen Jump series is perfect for fans looking for those extra details. It contains illustrations from a plethora of famous artists ranging from Yukinobu Tatsu (DaDaDan) to Nao Emoto (O Maidens in your Savage Season) and the legendary LiSA (all the best anime openings ever made). It also includes a variety of informative interviews with Tatsuya Endo, including a round table with Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist) and Amu (Kono oto Tomare! Sounds of Life). The book adds context to the series as a whole, including details on those famous designer chairs as well as the overall history of the world of Spy X Family. The full colour illustrations and character turn-arounds will also be a great help for cosplayers. I’d recommend this for ages 15 and Up.

• Story and Art: Tatsuya Endo et. all
• Translator: Casey Loe
• Editor: Evan Galloway
• Published in English by Viz Media
• RRP: $16.99 / £13.99

Buy Spy X Family: The Official Guide – Eyes Only from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

your name. Another Side: Earthbound

This two volume series is perfect for fans of the film sensation Your name. It helps fill in the gaps that are missing in the film, and gives further insight into the motivations of all the characters. You also learn more about Mitsuha’s family history, which helps elevate the movie as a whole. I’d recommend this for ages 14 and up.

• Original Concept: Makoto Shinkai
• Writer: Arata Kanoh
• Artist: Jyunya Nakamura
• Translator: Taylor Engel
• Letterer: Abigail Blackman
• Published in English by Yen Press
• RRP: $13.00 USD / £10.99 GBP

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Stories of Water and Flame

This manga might be created by Ryoji Hirano rather than the original creator, Koyoharu Gotogue, but it still has their full approval! These two short stories follow heroes Kyojuro and Giyuu. In the first story, Kyojuro helps Mitsuha take her ranking test. In the second, Giyuu guides Kocho through her first mission as a Hashira. Both stories flesh out these beloved characters, and are sure to make the upcoming movies hit that much harder. I’d recommend this series to those aged 15 and up.

• Original Concept: Koyoharu Gotouge
• Story and Art: Ryoji Hirano
• Translator: John Werry
• Letterer: John Hunt
• Editor: Jennifer Sherman
• Published in English by Viz Media
• RRP: $11.99 USD / £7.99 GBP

Delicious in Dungeon World Guide: The Adventurer’s Bible

This fun companion to the popular fantasy cooking series is a must-have for fans. It contains exclusive stories, illustrations, a monster manual and much more! This is an insightful look into the world of Delicious in Dungeon that will enhance your understanding of the series. Perfect for those seeking even more delicious backstory to explore. I’d recommend this for ages 17 and up.

• Story and Art: Ryoko Kui
• Translator: Abigail Blackman
• Letterer: Taylor Engel
• Published in English by Yen Press
• RRP: $24.99 USD / £19.99 GBP

Art Books

Art books are the perfect gift for the super fan. Artwork is often the most appealing aspect of a series; many readers buy physical manga volumes just to own their favorite artwork in a physical format. Art books are made to be referenced again and again, providing inspiration for artists so that they might copy the methodologies of their favourite creators. They are beautiful objects to own and are sure to provide gasps of joy upon being unwrapped.

Scribbles

This three-volume hardcover series collects the sketchbooks of legendary manga artist Kaoru Mori (A Bride’s Story, Emma). Her artwork is beautiful and detailed. Seeing her process like this is a real treat, and every page is a feast for the eyes. Mori also provides insightful and funny notes throughout, making this the perfect gift for any superfan or budding artist. I’d recommend this for ages 14 and up.

• Artist: Kaoru Mori
• Translator:  William Flanagan
• Published in English by Yen Press
• RRP: $18.99 USD / £14.99 GBP

Fruits Basket Complete Anime Natsuki Takaya Illustrations

When the 2019 Fruits Basket anime first started airing, Takaya would post an illustration for each episode on Twitter (now X). She then remade them as higher quality files and collected them in books for each series. Now compiled into one full volume with full English translations throughout for her notes and mini comics, this is a must have for any Fruits Basket fan. I’d recommend this for ages 14 and up.

• Artist: Natsuki Takaya
• Translators: Alethea and Athena Nibley
• Letterer: Lys Blakeslee
• Published in English by Yen Press
• RRP: $24.99 USD / £18.99 GBP

The Apothecary Diaries Artbook

The Apothecary Diaries has been one of the absolute smash hit series from the last couple of years, attracting people from outside the usual otaku circles. This gorgeous hardback book collects Touko Shino’s illustrations from the light novel that inspired the anime’s aesthetic and character designs. While many fans prefer the manga over the light novel, they are missing out on these beautiful full colour images. Cosplayers will appreciate the extra costume details included here as well. I would recommend this for ages 15 and up.

• Artist: Touko Shino
• Translator: Kevin Steinbach
• Published in English by Square Enix
• RRP: $27.99 USD / £24.99 GBP

The Art of Witch Hat Atelier

Originally published in French to celebrate Shirahama’s appearance as Guest of Honour at Angoulême International Comics Festival in January 2025, this book features illustrations and texts never before seen in English. Witch Hat Atelier is one of the most beautifully illustrated comics out there, period. Kamome Shirahama’s traditional ink pen style illustrations are a delight to behold. They remind me of classic woodcut illustrations from German fairy tales, and will be appreciated not just by manga fans but by people who love art. I would recommend it for ages 12 and up.

This book is due for publication on 2nd December, so pre-order now to avoid disappointment.

• Artist: Kamome Shirahama
• Translator: TBA
• Published in English by Kodansha
• RRP: $29.99 USD / £29.99 GBP

Buy The Art of Witch Hat Atelier from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

E-Gifts

Gift Cards

These are a highly underappreciated gift. There’s lots of options available, including those that can be used in a multitude of different stores.  Or you can go more personal, and pick them for a shop you know your giftee loves, such as Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop. I always ask for gift cards for books, since I know I can then use them throughout the year to buy newly published manga or art books I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

Streaming Subscription

Anime fans love watching anime more than anything else. Gift subscriptions can provide that and more! Crunchyroll, Netflix, Disney+, and HIDIVE all provide options for gift subscriptions. While Crunchyroll and Netflix are the most popular for anime fans, HiDive receives hidden gems each season. Disney+ has also been slowly getting into the anime game. Since there are so many subscription services out there, there’s no way that your giftee has every one of them.

Audiobooks

Many publishers are getting in on the audiobook game. Seven Seas and Yen Press both now have their own imprint for light novel audiobooks. These are often read by the English cast of the anime and are of high quality. Audible and Libro both have the option to give credits to others, as well as full subscriptions. Audible has exclusives while Libro has DRM-free Downloads.

Artist Commissions

This is the time of year that artists are opening up commissions. You can request anything you like, from a Dungeons and Dragon character to your giftee and their waifu making out. Websites like VGen can help you find artists taking commissions, as can social media sites like Instagram, BlueSky, and Tumblr. You can even stalk your giftee’s social media to see who their favourite artists are! You can request artwork for specific purposes too, such as lock screens, banners, and profile pictures. Most artists will be happy to provide you with a high quality file version should you wish to get it printed and properly framed. These are unique, beautiful gifts that help the anime community to flourish. They also prove that humans will always be better than AI.

Article edited by: Adam Wescott

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