Kara Dennison
November 27, 2021 
Ah, Cyber Monday. The better Black Friday. Considering shopping online became a necessity recently, we’re all pretty good at it by now. So you don’t need me to tell you how to find deals and search up specific items. Now we deal with the eternal gift-giving issue: what gifts even to give.
If the anime fan in your life wants something very specific, job done. But if not, even knowing their favorite shows isn’t a sure-fire gift guide. Not everyone wants more figures (though some do — be sure to ask). Here are a few ideas for the fan in your life if you’re a bit stuck on ideas.
A Streaming Subscription
There are a lot of streaming services out there, with more cropping up constantly. And it’s not just a matter of anime-specific services. As more mainstream services get into the game, everyone’s favorite anime are going to end up scattered across several platforms. Not everyone can afford multiple accounts — but that could make a good Cyber Monday treat.
If a friend’s favorite show has run off to a service they don’t have, consider buying them a year’s subscription on that service. Make sure it’s easy to cancel, in case they’ve got all their watching done in that year. Alternately, if they don’t have any streaming access at all, find which one has the most shows they want to watch and give them a boost.
Cosplay Supplies
Over the coming months, a lot of live events are going to look at… well… going live again. Many have figured out clever ways to keep cosplay contests alive during online-only weekends. But there’s no doubt that in-person events will mean cosplay is booming again. And your cosplayer friend would probably benefit from some Cyber Monday help.
The best thing you can ever give a cosplayer is gift certificates for their preferred fabric store. Not just for big buys, either: that GC can help cover necessities like new sewing supplies, staying stocked up with notions, or buying an entire roll of interfacing. The more they save at the fabric store, the more they can spend on wigs and custom accessories.
Manga and Goods from Indie Creators
The best thing you can do on Cyber Monday is shop small. And that’s not just about mainstream gifts. Lots of talented creators are making their own original manga, designing their own apparel, and creating cute accessories. If you have a general idea of what your friends are into, you can match them up with manga from artists they may not have heard of otherwise. Or get them a unique accessory they won’t find at the store.
The great thing about this is, you’re making lots of people happy. Holiday sales to small creators help them make their holidays better. Plus, every sale means a potential new fan following them into the new year!
And while you’re at it, treat yourself, too. You deserve something for all that hard gift shopping, right?
