Ever wished you could watch your favourite anime without subtitles? you’re not alone. I think every anime fan has had that moment, and for many of us, it’s what led us to wanting to study Japanese!
That’s where these gifts come in. They’re perfect for anyone who dreams of going beyond “kawaii” and “sugoi” to really understanding Japanese!
Whether it’s a friend, a teen in your life, or even yourself, here are some gift ideas for anime fans that will motivate you to keep learning.
Kana De Manga book
This clever book uses original manga artwork to teach hiragana and katakana, the two foundational Japanese syllabaries.
What I love is that is also had cultural info and Japanese trivia on each page. Alongside learning the Japanese characters, you will also learn some cultural background that is so important for making sense of anime and manga!
A brilliant choice for anyone who is a total beginner to Japanese but wants to take their first steps to start recognising the sounds and symbols behind the stories.
Anime & Manga word search book
For the puzzle lovers out there, this book blends word searches with Japanese study, all themed around popular anime and manga. It’s packed with hundreds of anime-related words written in hiragana, alongside their kanji and English translations.
It keeps your brain engaged and teaches you new words while still feeling like play.
Ganbatte! Neon sign
Sometimes motivation is as simple as seeing the right words lit up in your space! This neon sign glows with the phrase がんばって (ganbatte / do your best), a common encouragement in Japanese.
It makes a cool piece of décor while giving you a gentle nudge to keep studying, even on the days when grammar feels impossible.
Learn Japanese with Manga: self-study language book for beginners
A self-study Japanese textbook for beginners, featuring manga comic stories and with a heavy focus on casual, everyday Japanese.
With recurring characters and original artwork, it feels like following a series while picking up useful language along the way. It’s a great choice for beginners looking for a modern textbook that goes beyond dry drills.
‘Fluent in Anime’ genkouyoushi Japanese writing notebook
Every Japanese learner needs a place to practise writing, and this notebook provides it with humour!
Genkouyoushi is a type of squared paper used in Japan for writing practice. The lined pages are perfect for kana, kanji or sentence practice, while the cheeky cover will make any anime fan smile. It’s the kind of thing that makes sitting down to study a little bit less intimidating.
Cook Anime cookbook
Any anime fan knows that food is often a huge party of the story, and the fun! This cookbook lets you bring those dishes into your own kitchen. It teaches you how to recreate dozens of recipes taken directly from popular anime, including miso chashu ramen from Naruto, rice porridge from Princess Mononoke, onigiri from Fruits Basket, and lots more.
It also has loads of cultural information about the dishes, as well as the backstories from the scenes the recipes are taken from.
An absolute no-brainer of a gift for any anime fan who also loves Japanese food!
Japanese Sound FX book
One of the quirkiest aspects of manga (or indeed, the Japanese language in general!) is its use of sound effects, from animal noises to the whoosh of a speeding car.
This book is a fun guide to all those Japanese onomatopoeia, with manga-style illustrations that bring them to life.
It’s a super fun look at a part of Japanese you won’t usually find in textbooks, but you’ll see everywhere in Japanese media.
Subtitles Are A Pain T-Shirt
This funny t-shirt says it all: “Learning Japanese: Because Subtitles Are A Pain.” It’s a sentiment easily understood by every anime fan who’s tired of reading while watching!
Did you find your dream gift?
From manga-inspired study books to neon motivation and even anime recipes, these gifts show that learning Japanese can be every bit as fun as watching it on screen!
Any of these would make a thoughtful gift for the anime fan who dreams of ditching the subtitles one day.
Are you an anime fan who’s learning Japanese? What’s on your wish list? Drop your dream gift in the comments, and then send this post to everyone you know 😜
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