UK Anime & Manga Christmas Gift Guide 2014

It’s now December, you can’t put off Christmas shopping any longer. You’ve probably been hearing the Christmas tracks in shops and seen the occasional Christmas tree in a neighbour’s window for several weeks now but that was back in November, you had plenty of time to shop around. Now that Christmas is only a certain amount of sleeps away you’re now in either of two camps; you’re gloating that you’re nearly or completely done with shopping, or panicking that you still got so much to purchase. Luckily for you, Anime UK News is here with a small list of suggested gifts ideas from this year’s releases. If you’re still struggling then check out my 2012 and 2013 gift ideas as well.

Happy shopping!
 

If you’re buying for a movie buff…. buy The Garden of Sinners

Seven movies plus an additional OVA stretched across 8 discs telling a gripping story of a woman with an unique ability to see the death of all things. It has action, supernatural powers, lots of blood and unique characters. This set is sure to go quickly so don’t miss a chance to purchase this collector’s item.

Buy the DVD box set here.

If you’re buying for a 90s nostalgia fiend…. buy Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 1

After many years of waiting, the first full season of Yu-Gi-Oh! is out now on DVD. This contains the 4Kids dub only and no extras but it’s 49 episodes filled with Dan Green’s awesome voice boldly announcing attacks in epic cards battles that stretch just as long as Dragonball Z fights. Season 2 is due out in March.

Buy it on DVD here.

If you’re buying for a Game of Thrones fan, and they already own all the series so far on disc and/or books… buy Fate/Zero.

This Type Moon story, animated by ufotable, tells the grand story of the Fourth Holy Grail War – a tournament between mages summoning Heroic warriors from the past. They want to win the artifact that is said to grant any wish, but not everyone involved plans to play fair. With fantastic animation, brilliant writing, multi-layered characters and stunning soundtrack – it’s a fantasy series to really get invested in. A sequel by the same production company is currently airing in Japan (and on Crunchyroll! Ed. ) so there’s more material to sink your teeth into when this box set is done.

Buy Part 1 and/or 2 in Bu-ray/DVD/limited editions here.

If you’re buying for someone who loves a good mystery/thriller series…buy Monster Perfect Edition omnibus’

One of the most critically acclaimed manga is currently being re-released as ‘Perfect Editions’ which two-in-one volumes with colour pages to top off this beautiful package. The story follows Kanzo Tenma, a Japanese surgeon living in Germany who saves a young boy life in 1986 and suffers unforeseen horrific consequences nine years later when a string of murders start happening.

Buy the first two volumes here and here, with the third volume out in the New Year.

If you’re buying for a romantic comedy nut… buy Toradora

Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka team up to try and help each other win the hearts of their respective crushes, but will they slowly falling for each other in the process? It’s a simple premise that will have you in stitches one moment and bawling the next with its lovable characters, fantastic writing and consistently great animation.

For Blu-ray click here, or DVD click here.

If you’re buying for a Bayonetta fan, who’s gutted they haven’t got a Wii U to play the sequel… buy Bayonetta: Bloody Fate

This explosive and entertaining film re-tells the story of the first game in glorious animation complete with quick one liners, fantastic action, and semi-naked Bayonetta to enjoy without the need of a video games console.

Limited blu-ray edition can be bought here, or standard DVD edition is here.

If you’re buying for someone with a thirst for vampire romances… buy the Vampire Knight manga.

The nine-year-long running supernatural romance series finally comes to an end with the entire 19 volume series now released in two huge but convenient box sets. If you know a Vampire Knight fan who already owns the majority of the series then make sure to pick up the last volume for them, now released in a limited edition with a bonus art book and alternative cover. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a short story collection titled ‘Fleeting Dreams’ due out on 18th December.

Manga box set part 1 is here, part 2 is here. The short story collection is here and Volume 19 Limited Edition is here.

If you want to treat yourself… buy the Hayao Miyazaki Collection.

This glorious Blu-ray set is 12 discs long, including 11 films directed by the world renowned director Hayao Miyazaki including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and his last film The Wind Rises. The twelfth disc is packed full of extras including music videos and a 5-minute pilot film named Yuki’s Sun that he storyboarded and directed himself in 1972. It’s not the entire Studio Ghibli collection but it’s enough for any film or anime fan to marathon over the Christmas Holidays.

Buy the Blu-ray set here.

Anime UK News wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.