From posters, wall hangings, and dakimuras to figurines, models, and mousemats, there's no shortage of ways for anime fans to build their collection of merchandise from their favorite shows. One of the best treats an anime fan can give themselves, though, is an art book -- a high-quality collection of rare, new, and specially selected art from their favorite series.
Whether they'll be taking pride of place on a bookshelf, creating a talking point on a coffee table, or serving as a gift for a fellow anime-lover, these art books are essential purchases for serious fans. Sometimes, pictures really can be worth a thousand words.
10 Duel Art Is A Gorgeous (But Expensive) Nostalgia-Fest
Duel Art: Kazuki Takahashi Yu-Gi-Oh! Illustrations is definitely on the pricier art books out there at over $200, but for fans and collectors, this incredible series of illustrations is worth the price. While Yu-Gi-Oh! is undoubtedly iconic, it's remembered almost entirely for being the origin of the mega-popular card game, meaning that its wonderfully inventive art doesn't always get the recognition it deserves.
But this book puts mangaka Kazuki Takahashi's artistry in the spotlight, making this is the perfect high-end gift for anyone who grew up with his classic manga.
9 The Fruits Basket Artbook Highlights A Shojo Classic
There will be many Fruits Basket fans feeling a little sad right now as the recent adaption comes to an end. It's been a long, long wait for an anime that successfully captures the whole story, but, now that it's here, fans don't want it to end.
They'll be cheered up, though, by picking up a copy of the series' art book, which features plenty of gorgeous art of their favorite characters by mangaka Natsuki Takaya. Her super-detailed illustrations of the show's many beautiful characters -- in a wide array of outfits -- showcases all the best aspects of shojo art.
8 Hiroyuki Imaishi's Artwork Lets Viewers Into A Colorful Mind
The super-colorful, hyper-expressive work of Studio Trigger changed the landscape of anime forever after the studio exploded onto the scene with Kill La Kill. The art book Hiroyuki Imaishi Anime Artworks lets fans explore the world of one of Trigger's founders. Imaishi's work includes Kill La Kill and Promare, as well as Gurren Lagann, the success of which led directly to Trigger being founded.
Even without Imaishi's signature dynamic animation, it's amazing how these illustrations seem to leap off the page. Bursting with life and color, they're the perfect way to get hyped up for whatever Trigger will make next.
7 The Art Of Naruto Collects Illustrations From An All-Time Classic
For many fans, Naruto is the series that got them hooked on anime. It's so ubiquitous now, with its setting and characters almost becoming synonymous with "anime," that it's important to step back and really look at one of the things that made the original manga stand out in the first place: Masashi Kishimoto's stunning artwork.
Collecting over 100 pages of the series' covers and illustrations in full-color, The Art of Naruto: Uzumaki is a history of one of manga's greatest success stories. Every collector should have it on their shelf.
6 The Art Of Junji Ito Is Fantastically Creepy
As well as being famous for the visceral horror of his work, Junji Ito is incredibly prolific, with countless short stories, as well as longer works, published over many years. This means that fans will have a hard time building up their collections without spending a huge amount of money. Luckily, The Art Of Junji Ito: Twisted Visions collects his most horrifying creations together in one volume.
The illustrations have also been enlarged, allowing readers to see the incredible detail that Ito is known for. Just been warned: guests finding this book on a coffee table might flee in terror.
5 Get Behind The Scenes Of Neon Genesis Evangelion With This Art Collection
Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion are spoilt for choice when it comes to collecting the series' art, with a plethora of posters, models, and full-color art books available. One that stands out from the rest, though, is the art book Neon Genesis Evangelion: TV Animation Production Art Collection. This book is dedicated exclusively to pre-production design sketches for the series -- and, with 432 pages long, there's plenty of them.
Because it contains only black and white sketches, this isn't a book everyone will enjoy. But, for Evangelion superfans, this is a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of the most groundbreaking anime ever.
4 The Art Of Howl's Moving Castle Showcases One Of Ghibli's Best Films
It's no surprise that all of the art books for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films are a must-buy. The Art of Howl's Moving Castle earns a special mention here, though, for being slightly underrated compared to the studio's most famous work, such as My Neighbour Totoro or Spirited Away.
Howl's Moving Castle is also perfectly suited as an art book thanks to its gorgeously detailed interiors and the elaborate steampunk design of the titular "moving castle'. This book will take fans on an adventure as magical as Sophie's.
3 The Cowboy Bebop Art Book Is A Masterclass In World Building
Few anime have such a strong and distinctive atmosphere as the legendary Cowboy Bebop. Watching this show, which holds up as well today as it did in 1998, viewers can almost smell the rust and motor oil of the carefully crafted Western-inspired science fiction setting.
The secrets of this amazing worldbuilding are revealed in Cowboy Bebop: Sunrise Art Works, which features not only beautiful full illustrations, but plenty of sketches of everything from spaceships and main characters to background details, showing how the series' creators brought its world to life.
2 Dive Into The Wired With The Serial Experiments Lain Art Book
Serial Experiments Lain, a surreal, unsettling cyberpunk anime from 1998, deserves its status as a cult classic. A big part of that is its art, especially the iconic character designs -- like Lain's bear onesie -- from artist Yoshitoshi Abe. His simple, effective designs were a perfect contrast to the detailed imagery of circuit boards and machine parts.
Abe's work takes center stage in the art book Serial Experiments Lain: An Omnipresence in the Wired, with plenty of moody, enigmatic illustrations that perfectly capture the show's unique atmosphere. For fans of the series, it's undoubtedly a must-buy.
1 Fans Will Long For This Collection Of Makoto Shinkai's Work
It's well-known in the anime community that Makoto Shinkai, creator of original films such as Five Centimeters per Second, The Garden of Words, and Your Name, is one of the best artists in the industry. His work combines relatively simple, expressive character designs with backgrounds that take viewers' breath away with their detail and beauty.
It's these backgrounds that are highlighted in the appropriately-titled art book A Sky Longing for Memories: The Art of Makoto Shinkai. It's a gem of a book with pages that fans will want to sit and stare at for hours.