Oh God--Christmas is Tomorrow?

Article: The Annual Anime/Manga Shopping Guide
Last revised: 12/17/03

A seasonal shopping list for the decisiveness-impaired

Article by: Bad Jew and Lianne

Article rating: PG-13; please read the ratings of each title in order to not give an inappropriate gift for the holidays. We usually assign our own ratings rather than official ratings because official ratings tend to be loose.

NOTE: This article will be updated each year. Please scroll to the bottom to see any new additions.

2002

Ahhrh! Christmas is in a few days, and you still need to get stuff. You're just the worst person ever you know--I was done 2 months ago, hahahHAHAHahaha.

Here's a little guide Lianne and I threw together for Christmas anime, manga, and related stuff buying (or, of course, post-holiday spending on yourself, selfish cur). All of these things are relatively easy to find, wrap, and are a bit more personal than giving a recipient the $7.34 you had in your pocket at the time. We didn't have sufficient time or patience to hyperlink these titles or gather pictures for them all, but you have a brain. Use it to find this stuff.

Akira DVD (Rated R)

You haven't lived until you've seen this, or if you have, you've lived a loveless life (or maybe just a useless one). Whatever the case, you should see this movie. You may not understand it, it may scare the pants off you (especially the teddy bears who bleed milk), but you'll be the better for it. Plus, there are about a hojillion different versions of the DVD to choose from--some with just the movie, some with re-mastered sound, and some with nubile virgins to entertain you during the credits.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust DVD (Rated PG-13)

There's nothing better than vampires--except futuristic vampires. This is a good, short movie that's actually meant to be in English! What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus than to watch a deadly game of cat and mouse between D, a vampire hunter, and a vampire, whom he's hunting

GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) DVD 1 (Rated R)

Jesus taught us a lot of things. Speaking of teaching, Onizuka is a great teacher, and this is his show. GTO is a long series, so you won't want to buy all of it at one time; a good way to get your hands on it is to buy the first disk for a rich friend who will then become addicted and buy the rest. Also, check out the manga, which is extra funny because it doesn't have the horrid soundtrack that the show does

Cowboy Bebop DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

You know, I can't think of one way to tie this into Christmas; never the less, if you are just starting out in anime check out this title. Spike Spiegel, the main character, is so cool that he makes me want to smoke, and Ed, the hacker girl, is as cool as baby Jesus (wow, I did tie this in--go me!).

Also known as "plush" toys (aka using the keyword "plush" in a search may help you out), these little guys might be a bit hard to find--usually only dedicated anime or comic stores carry the really cool ones, but also check out eBay or various anime stores (such as houseofanime.com). I would personally recommend One Piece plushies, because, well, ummm, they're cool. Also, Lupin plushies have been known to entertain many. The plushie to the left is Vampire Hunter D.

Wall Scrolls (or Wallscrolls)

Again, a product that you'll have to do a bit of searching for but is very nice to have. Wall scrolls are big posters printed on cloth, so make sure that you can put a nail into your wall in order to hang them. Most major shows have them (such as Lain, Bebop, and the like), and they cover up the mouse holes in your room very well.

FLCL (Furi Kuri/Fooly Cooly) Soundtrack (or Sound Track)

I think I have been very clear that I worship the Pillows as if they were gods (only slightly less powerful than Gainax). Good anime stores should carry this, and if they don't, you're either in a bad anime store or a morgue. Watch out--while the second OST (original sound track) may have the track Crazy Sunshine, which I believe to be the best song ever written by anyone at anytime anywhere, it still has a lot of Japanese drama tracks, which are hard to enjoy without a good knowledge of Japanese puns.

Now that Bad Jew's done, I'd like to say I want nothing to do with his ... "religious" comments above. While all of his selections are good, I'm also gonna have to add a few.

The Vision of Escaflowne DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

This is still, in my opinion, one of the best anime series ever made, and is popular with both guys and girls because of its varied aspects (high school romance AND big robots, ha!). Beautiful and moving and hard to go wrong with. If you have a little more money to drop, pick up the Lover's Only soundtrack or the wicked boxed set of DVD's (if you can still find one ^_^). The movie can be skipped unless you have a particular interest in seeing gritty fights, a vapid plot, and Van without a shirt on.

Excel Saga DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

If you have a friend who doesn't mind a completely crack-laced story about a main character who keeps dying in the first episode (and her partner, the girl with Tuberculosis), give Excel a spin. NOT recommended for those who hate the wacky.

Castle of Cagliostro DVD (Rated PG, I think)

As long as you don't hate Lupin or Miyazaki (how could you possibly?), buy this. One of the best movies ever.

Princess Mononoke Bilingual DVD (Rated PG-13)

Speaking of Miyazaki, pick up one of his most recent gems to DVD. The young prince who's trying to save both nature and civilization can do delicious things with a bow and arrow, and the English dub of this is so good I actually prefer it to the sub (gasp!).

FLCL (Furi Kuri/Fooly Cooly) DVD 1 (Rated R)

It's short, it's perpetually being delayed in the West, and it's quite possibly the weirdest anime series on the planet. If you think you have someone in your life who likes anything as long as it's well-done, you can buy him or her the strangest coming-of-age anime ever made.

Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

This series is ridiculously long (so starting a loved one on it brings "The first one's free" to a whole new level), but once you get about 28 episodes into it it gets amazing. It's about samurai adventures in the 1800's, by the way, and features both pretty guys and pretty girls for equal opportunity eye candy. Oh, and if you are purchasing it for anyone else, just let them know that after Shi-Shi-O's been taken care of the DVD's are no longer worth buying.

This 3-episode OVA (video series) is contained entirely on one DVD, making it an easy snag. Since it was originally made for rather young Japanese boys, this title (about a boy, his bishounen (pretty boy) robot buddy, and some silly villains) has that cute appeal that works on almost anyone. I was really surprised by how much I liked it.

Don't bother getting anyone only the first DVD of this--you need to see the very end of this sci-fi, time-travel drama to appreciate it fully. It's a small box (4 DVD's), and quite worth it, so give it to someone you can drop a lot of money on.

Outlaw Star DVD Sets (Rated R)

I'm gonna have to rate this one R because the lewdness levels can go off the chart on the uncut DVD's. The series comes in small DVD sets (3 sets of 2 discs each) or in a boxed set of the whole kit and caboodle (a much better deal), so again, this gift is for someone you either love a lot or owe a lot of money to. Interstellar bachelor life--with space pirates and spaceships, oh yes. Funny and very popular thanks to its run on Cartoon Network.

Trigun DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

This series is one of the most well-loved anime titles in North America I can think of. Although it's kinda like a futuristic wild west story, don't be fooled into thinking it's a cult piece--everyone will like it. The first volume's silly and entertaining, but stuff gets way darker later. And by the way, the manga for it (which hits our shores in 2003) is even better, believe it or not.

English Shonen Jump (Manga Magazine) Subscription (Rated PG-13)

To get a few comics in someone's life, pick up the $20-for-12-issues deal before it runs out. This magazine's great, and even features the One Piece manga--and if One Piece doesn't say "I love you more than anything," I don't know what does. Oh yeah, and if helikesdragonballoryugiohthey'rebothinheretoo*cough*

Blade of the Immortal Manga Volume 1 (Rated R)

This manga's rather pricey at about $16 a book (and already up to Volume 10 or so), but if you have a buddy who likes violent samurai stories and an excellent English translation, Blade of the Immortal's your puppy. Fantastic art and a really good story--similar to Rurouni Kenshin, only substantially more hardcore.

And, of course, we can't forget our shoujo (girl's comics) fans. If you like good stuff with a female or relationship tilt, check these bad boys out:

Sailor Moon Dub DVD's (Rated PG)

Sure these only contain the early, edited dubbed episodes, but how can you beat 6 episodes per disk for $15? These DVD's aren't only a bargain, they have nostalgia value, and a lot of those early Sailor Moon adventures were funny and well-done. Don't forget that you can pick and choose volumes containing your favorite moments--you're not tied down to needing Volume 1 first (unless you never saw Sailor Moon from the beginning on TV, in which case you should hang your head in shame).

Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (Kare Kano/His and Her Circumstances) DVD 1 (Rated PG-16)

Quite possibly the best school romance story ever. Amazing, funny, touching, and a big hit with just about anyone who watches it; since Gainax put their magic to work with this, it also appeals to guys. (Not for the kiddies--too much sexual stuff. And whatever happened to waiting 'till you're married?)

Fruits Basket DVD Volume 1 (Rated PG-16--entirely due to Ayame)

Another school romance, only with a fantasy twist: hug a cursed bishounen, turn him into an animal from the Chinese zodiac. Both zany and strangely mellow, Fruits Basket is definitely worth a watch.

Please Save My Earth DVD (Rated PG-13)

All six episodes of this OVA are on a single disc, so it's definitely worth the 30-odd dollars. It's hard to describe this one without spoiling it ... a high school drama about a group of kids who all start getting the same dreams, I guess. There's a strong sci-fi/fantasy tilt on it, and it's very intriguing (if left open-ended), so I recommend it.

Now what are you waiting for? Get shopping, kitty cats.

Full Metal Panic DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

Leading the pack of anime releases is Full Metal Panic, the show that sounds like the worst thing ever but is, in actuality, the best thing ever. A strong-spirited, big-chested, bludgeons-the-boy-she-likes-without-justification high school girl is under terrorist threat, so the UN sends a secret protections team led by an overzealous military teenage fella to her aid. There's even a blond-haired, blue-eyed Western playboy and a soft-spoken female commander with a voice like a mouse's on helium! Sounds like it should suck? This is one of the best shows you'll ever see.

If Full Metal Panic puts you in the mood to actually give Studio Gonzo a chance--or even if it doesn't--give the 10th anniversary piece a spin. Last Exile has one of the coolest Limited Edition boxes you can possibly get with its first volume if you have the extra cash for a loved one. Bad Jew won't shut up about how good this show is, but for once we should listen to him (since he's right). Just remember to stop listening to him when you're done.

s.CRY.ed DVD 1 (Rated PG-13)

Also featuring an excellent Limited Edition box with its first disc, s.CRY.ed is a seinen (older shounen) action series that pulls off something very strange for a seinen action series--subtlety and quality. Funny, exciting, and even surprisingly touching, this story about mutant humans duking it out with their strange and unique powers is good for just about any audience. Review for ya.

Iron Wok Jan! Manga Volume 1 (Rated PG-13)

Since I desperately want ComicsOne to start buying better titles, I happily endorse one of their gems: the story of a shounen hero who wants to be the best *insert goal* in the universe. In this case, Jan wants to be the best chef in the universe, and he also happens to be the meanest person in the universe, and his female rival has the biggest chest in the universe, so it's a must-buy. Shounen weirdness in all its awesome, awesome glory.

Shonen Jump Graphic Novels (Rated PG-13)

Now that the anthology's been out a while, those titles--the best being Yu Yu Hakusho, One Piece, and Shaman King--are finally hitting bookshelves in graphic novel form, and at an amazingly cheap $7.95 a volume. Naruto and the surprisingly-good Yu-Gi-Oh are also worth picking up, particularly at that price; hell, I'd even buy Final Fantasy Unlimited for $7.95! And while I was at it, I would also dive headfirst into the jaws of a shark.

The direct-to-graphic-novel Jump titles have also recently begin with Rurouni Kenshin, which features one of the more beautiful English adaptations I've read in some time. Buy that, too. These cheap, addictive, fantastic comics should be the hot buy this season.

The Vision of Escaflowne Manga Volume 1 (Rated PG-16)

I'm the first one to admit how biased I am toward this manga, but I still think, objectively, it's an excellent action/adventure shounen. You can argue how it's nothing like the TV series until your mouth bleeds--forget the TV series for a minute and read this comic like it's a new story. It gets better with every volume.

Trigun Manga Volume 1 (Rated PG-13)

The manga's finally out in English. Buy it, it's amazing beyond belief. It's a little more expensive than most of the other manga titles on the market, but Volume 1 has about a million pages in it so it's actually cheaper. I think. Let the math take my brain amazing places for a moment...

Basara Manga Volume 1 (Rated PG-13)

This title was huge in Japan for years, and kudos to Viz for bringing it to our shores. Basara is reminiscent of those Indian epics (like the Vedas), only it takes place in a post-apocalyptic Japan reverted to a dark age with a whole lot of desert and a Child of Destiny. I wasn't sure how broad the appeal of this title would be until I picked it up and was immediately blown away by its shocking quality. Every time I read a new volume I honestly feel dazed when I put it down. Yes, it's that good; give it a chance, even if it doesn't sound like your thing. Beautiful English script, too.

There. It's not a big list, but it'll drain you dry regardless. See you next year.