Charles McCarter: On a budget? Models not really your thing? You're in luck! Bandai America is releasing an "Anime Collectors" line of action figures. Each comes with a large mecha and two smaller figures. The current assortment includes Gene, Melfina, and the Outlaw Star; Van, Hitomi, and the Escaflowne, and Roger, Dorothy, and the Big O. No assembly required. And they're available at your local toy store.

Keith Rhee: Like the look of GUNDAM mobile suits, but don't have the patience to build and paint the plastic models? Then take a close look at the GUNDAM FIX series. Taken from Hajime Katoki's revamped designs, these models are pre-assembled, pre-painted with painstaking detail, and come with loads of optional equipment that you can attach to the mobile suit. The latest entry in the series is the loaded-for-bear Full Armor Gundam ZZ. (Note: the optional parts do take a fair amount of patience to attach, so this series isn't best suited for young children.)

Mark Johnson: As with every year, my standard anime item I order as gifts for others (and myself) is the Studio Ghibli Calendar. It's important to order early, as these 12 month calendars are filled with beautiful artwork from all the Ghibli classics and sell out fast.

Ken Lee: Kotobukiya is releasing a series of stunning soft-vinyl figures commemorating the release of the epic, RPG-of-RPGs that is FINAL FANTASY X (PS2). The highlight figure so far has to be Rikku, the cute, spunky fighting gal in FFX. Featuring immaculate detail, this well-molded figure is a great Holiday stocking stuffer!

Egan Loo: Sometimes I just gotta regress. Just give me a Transformer G1, stand back, and watch me revert to fetal position as I relive the 80s. (Why wasn't a DeLorean Transformer ever made, anyway?) Since the summer of 2000, Takara Toys has been reissuing Convoy (North America's Optimus Prime) in original and Actionmaster forms, Ultra Magnus, Hot Rodimus (Hot Rod), Megatron, Ironhide, Ratchet, Lambor (Sideswipe), Alert (Red Alert), Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust, Inferno, Grapple, Trailbreaker, Hoist, Rodimus Convoy (Rodimus Prime), Sixshot, and God Ginrai—the almost-inanely-cobbled-together combo of Masterforce Ginrai (Hi-Q), Super Ginrai (a revamped Powermaster Optimus Prime) and God Bomber. (Phew!)

Make no mistake -- there are ehrm, "funner," toys out there. I wouldn't miss Bandai and Yamato's Macross Valkyries or Fruits Basket crane game dolls from Banpresto (Who else is hoping for future stuffies of all 13 animals?), and they're perfect as gifts to friends. Still, Transformer reissues is what I get myself for the sheer guilty pleasure.

Eric "Scanner" Luce: I already mentioned Miyazaki's SEN TO CHIHIRO NO KAMIKAKUSHI in the import anime section but I have to mention it again in the miscellaneous section. Several cloisonne pins have made excellent Christmas presents for friends and family. Who could not be amused at the self-propelled vibrating pink rodent! The glow-in-the-dark light pull charms are a nice touch as well. Unfortunately the only place I know where to get these is in Japan.

John Yung: North American viewers, you've seen them on TV during prime time commercial breaks. Now what's your level of commitment? All kidding aside, once only found at import toy stores, now you can find MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM models at the local Wal-Mart. These would make great stocking stuffers—at least until the Dendrobium model gets released domestically....