Whether you’re into anime, video games, comics, or any other flavor of geek culture, what fan doesn’t love subscription boxes? It’s like getting a little treasure chest every month filled with an assortment of collectibles, clothing, and more. But have you ever wished you could decide what they put in your box?
The folks at Loot Crate seem to know that I have because they asked me what I would include if I designed my very own ‘Dream Crate’. For those of you unfamiliar with Loot Crate, they are a subscription box service specializing in geeky goods. They have many different boxes to choose from, like Pop Culture, Anime, Gaming, and even stuff for Pets. Each one comes with 4-6 items inside, consisting of licensed and exclusive merchandise.
For this Dream Crate project, the sky was the limit. I had creative freedom to base my design on any franchise and follow any theme. Best of all, there’s no limit to what I could ask for. With this in mind, I came up with:
The Bare Your Heart Anime Crate
Anime has the incredible ability to move viewers with gripping stories, memorable characters, and captivating atmosphere. Some of my favorite series and movies are emotionally stirring works, designed to evoke heart-wrenching reactions, while maintaining a beautiful presentation. My theme, therefore, is “Beautifully Tragic Anime” Each item I included is related to an emotional anime or manga that will remind you of bittersweet memories or inspire you to explore a new tragic story.
Figures
I love figures, so I would have to include one of these 1/8 scale PVC models. Or while we’re fantasizing, why not both? They capture the essence of the characters they depict so well, and would have me reminiscing every time I saw them.
Kaori Miyazono from Your lie in April
Menma from Anohana
Anime
There are still plenty of sad anime I haven’t yet had the chance to watch. To remedy that, I would love to get Clannad: After Story on blu-ray in my crate.
Manga
I’m always looking to expand my manga collection too, so having a copy of Orange by Ichigo Takano in the crate would be a fine addition.
Novelties
What better choice than a reproduction of the candy tin from Grave of the Fireflies, with little Setsuko printed on the front? I wish I could give her all the candies!
Shirt
To tie it all together, a fun shirt to announce to the rest of the world how much anime moves you. In stolid charcoal gray, of course.
Bonus Item
As a special bonus item, just to show that it doesn’t have to be all sad, I would also have this fun backpack with a glow in the dark emblem. We found you, Menma!
If you had the chance to put together your own Dream Crate, what would you do? Would you go big or keep it small? Loot Crate is looking for lots of ideas to post on social media and might even select a crate idea to use for a future month’s subscription, so feel free to come up with your own and post a link in the comments for others to check out!
I really love the items you selected for your Dream Crate box! c: I’ll have to think on what I might put in mine, hm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Do you have an idea of what kind of theme you might want to go for?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hm, you got me thinking. One interesting theme might be a crate on anime fandom in anime. Like Oreimo, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, Welcome to the NHK, etc.
Or going on that, anime/manga makers: Bakuman, Shirobako, etc.
Then there are always zombies. Like Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka, Hellsing–stuff like that! (Having those two in the same crate might be a little funny.)
My own dream dream crate would contain items from lighthearted anime like Nodame Cantabile, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, Food Wars — which isn’t too much of a theme aside from they are all funny in some way. And definitely stuff from yours +_+ — uh, but those are tragic. Comedy = tragedy + time?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That anime fandom crate sounds fun. Someone should make one 🙂
Lighthearted anime is always a good pick. I’m sure you can find lots of fun stuff to put in a box around that theme. Let me know if you make one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the figurines, but i gotta admit the Setsuko candy made me tear up a little bit! Awesome crate ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
The crate has done its job then!
I actually have that tin. Out of everything I got at the Asian supermarket that day, not even the extra spicy shrimp chips made me as misty eyed as those candies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Menma figure looks nice, but I wouldn’t want to display it. Glancing at it would make me feel sad.
LikeLike
But she would want you to remember that the Super Peace Busters will always be friends!
Alright, that made me a little sad just typing it. Maybe just the Kaori figurine in your crate then 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does this Loot Crate come with some complimentary tissues, because I’m already starting to tear up lol…
This is a unique crate idea, each item definitely triggers some strong emotions… especially the fruit candy *grabs tissue*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I searched long and hard for an anime themed tissue box to include with this crate, but alas all I could find was a concept idea for the Makkachin tissue box from Yuri!!! on Ice found here: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-11-30/yuri-on-ice-makkachin-tissue-case-heads-to-real-life-rinks/.109249
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d think they’d have them! But that tissue box is adorable, they’d make a ton of cash off of that if they ever mass produced them!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah they would. I think they do plan to make them if that site is any indication
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well they can definitely have my money!! That is one cute tissue box!
LikeLike
I would buy this crate. I love Clannad and I would like to read Orange. I love your dream crate!
It’s weird that I have been hearing about Loot Crate online from social media and I decided to do my own crate. Mine is called Bloodthirsty and it’s filled with violent anime goods, some is not violent but does involve blood.
https://matthew903.wordpress.com/2016/12/27/my-dream-loot-crate-a-loot-crate-idea/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome crate yourself, Matt! Your theme is spot on. Sometimes we do need a good bloody mess in our anime. Thanks for sharing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. Your crate makes me want to try Anohana. I actually have Grave of the Fireflies on DVD but I am trying to find time to watch it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know that has been on your radar for a while. When you get a chance to watch Grave of the Fireflies, remember this candy tin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually got the movie and I want to watch it. Curse my busy schedule >_<
Don't worry, I will remember the candy.
LikeLiked by 1 person