Anime has become incredibly popular among tweens and teens. If you have a 12 year old who loves anime in your life, there are so many great gift ideas you can get them. At age 12, kids are really starting to develop their own interests and personality. Anime is a way for many of them to explore stories and characters that really speak to them. There are so many amazing anime themed gifts that can let a 12 year old express themselves and enjoy their passion. Here are some of the best anime gifts for 12 year olds.
Figures and Plush Toys
One of the most popular anime gifts out there are figures and plush toys of their favorite characters. A high quality figure lets them proudly display their fandom, while plush toys make great gifts to cuddle. Some popular figures include Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer. There are so many options, you can find their absolute favorite character. Figures can range from small chibi figures for around $10 to larger scale statues over $100. Plush toys are usually between $10-$30 depending on size.
Clothing and Accessories
Anime clothing and accessories make it easy for a 12 year old to showcase their interests every day. Popular items include graphic t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bags, jewelry, lanyards, and more. Hot Topic, Box Lunch, and Spencers all carry tons of officially licensed anime merchandise. Etsy also has some handmade fandom jewelry and accessories. Anime clothing is a subtle way to express themselves at school or with friends. Accessories like hats, bags, and jewelry add some flair while keeping it low-key.
Room Decor
Help your 12 year old anime fan decorate their room with their fandoms. Wall scrolls and posters let them cover their walls with amazing anime art. Other decor items like lamps, wall shelves, and figurines liven up their space. You can also get bedding, rugs, and pillows with subtle anime designs. Creating an anime haven in their room gives them a fun place to geek out over their interests.
Anime Art and DIY Kits
For artsy tweens, anime art supplies and DIY kits make original gift ideas. reputable sites like Etsy have digital anime art prints your 12 year old can frame in their room. There are also wall scroll poster kits they can customize themselves with their favorite characters. DIY Unicode bookmarks, perler beads, and felt plushie kits are creative ways to make their own fandom items.
Subscription Boxes
Consider gifting them a subscription box so they can enjoy new anime and kawaii merchandise each month. Popular boxes like TokyoTreat, Japan Crate, DokiDoki Crate, and KujiBox are filled with snacks, figurines, plushies, t-shirts, manga, and more. It's like getting a surprise package of Japan delivered each month. Subscription boxes usually range $20-$50 a month, so they're an affordable recurring gift.
Books and Manga
Does the 12 year old in your life love reading and manga? Check out the manga and light novel series they enjoy and get them the latest volumes. Barnes and Noble, Right Stuf Anime, and Kinokuniya all have great selections. You could also get them an anime artbook so they can admire character designs and concept art. If they like drawing manga, how-to-draw books make great gifts too. And graphic novel version of popular anime series let them reexperience the stories.
Video Games
Combining anime and video games, there are so many games with anime themes and art styles for PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch and PC. Popular series like Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, and Persona have tons of video games. You can also find simulator games about going to high school in Japan or running a Japanese cafe. Anime games are a fun way for a 12 year old to interact with their favorite franchises.
Self Care/Beauty Products
For a tween girl getting into makeup and beauty, Japanese and Korean skincare products have exploded in popularity thanks to their use in anime. Face masks, makeup, nail polishes, lip glosses, and more from brands like Tonymoly, Etude House, and Colourpop let them explore makeup while matching their kawaii style. Bath bombs, scented candles, and relaxation products help them enjoy self care.
Tickets to Anime Conventions and Movies
Check your local area for any anime and comic conventions coming up. Getting them tickets to a con is an experience they'll never forget. They can cosplay and meet other fans, go to panels, shop for merch in the artist alley and exhibitor hall, and meet voice actors. Many anime movies also get limited theatrical releases these days like Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and One Piece Film Red. Take them to see their favorites anime on the big screen.
Cooking/Baking Kits
Anime is full of delicious looking food. For 12 year olds who enjoy cooking and baking, Japanese cooking kits and baking kits make educational gifts. They can learn to make rice balls, ramen kits, sushi, matcha kit kats, mochi, Japanese candy, cookies, and more. It's a tasty way to experience a piece of Japanese culture.
Music/Soundtracks
Does the 12 year old in your life love listening to music from anime and Japanese pop (J-pop)? Get them CDs of their favorite anime openings and soundtracks from series like BTS, Aimer, LiSA, Porter Robinson, and RADWIMPS. You can also gift them a Spotify gift card so they can make their own playlist of anime music.
Learning Japanese
If they're really interested in Japanese culture beyond just anime, educational gifts can help them learn the language. Get them beginner Japanese textbooks, flash cards, practice books, and audio lessons. Watching subtitled anime can help reinforce what they're learning. Classes on Outschool also offer fun ways for tweens to start exploring Japanese.
FAQs
Q: Is anime appropriate for a 12 year old?
A: It depends on the specific anime series. Some like Pokemon and Studio Ghibli films are very family-friendly. But other series aimed at teens may have violence, language, or suggestive themes. Check ratings and reviews to assess age-appropriateness.
Q: Are anime figures and toys from Japan safe for kids?
A: Generally yes, brands that produce officially licensed merchandise must meet US safety standards. Reputable sites like Crunchyroll Store and Right Stuf Anime sell authentic, safe products.
Q: Where can I buy anime gifts and merchandise?
A: Check major retailers like Hot Topic, Box Lunch, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, and Target. Specialty shops like Crunchyroll Store, Right Stuf Anime, and Tokyo Otaku Mode also have great selections.
Q: Is giving money as an anime gift impersonal?
A: Not necessarily! Gifting them money to pick their own perfect items or a gift card to anime sites gives them shopping power. Combine with a heartfelt card to show you care.
Q: What anime franchises and characters are most popular right now?
A: Currently some of the top series are Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Spy X Family, My Hero Academia, Haikyu!!, Attack on Titan, and Tokyo Revengers.
Conclusion
Hope these anime gift ideas spark your creativity on what to get the 12 year old anime fan in your life. There are so many amazing options that let them proudly showcase their interests. At this age, finding a fandom community is important, so encourage their passion for anime. But don't forget to also supplement with offline activities, learning opportunities, and time with family and friends. Anime can be a healthy interest as long as it's balanced with real life connections and growth too.
