Gift Ideas for The Last of Us Fans – Handpicked By a True Fan
The Last of Us from HBO, is a live-action retelling of the story the hit video game franchise of the same name. It takes the typical zombie story we’re used to and flips it on its head, swapping out viruses for a mutated fungus known for taking over the brains of insects parasitically, leading to an all out apocalypse where the federal government rules things under martial law.
At the center of it all is a young girl with an apparent immunity to the bite of people infected with cordyceps (the parasitic fungi) and man who lost his only daughter at the very onset of the outbreak. It’s a heartwarming, and at times, heartwrenching story about the tenacity of humanity and the power of familial love, whether found family or biological. If you’re a fan looking to treat yourself, or know someone who is a huge fan of the series or the video game, we’ve curated a list of fantastic gifts that are not only unique, but great choices for a true fan.
Ellie’s Walkman-Style Cassette Player
Ellie, in both the game and the HBO series carries around a Sony Walkman cassette player. It’s an important item to her, and also becomes the subject of a fight that results in another girl at the Fedra school where she lives with a bloody nose. While you’ll only be able to find the original product from ebay, these days, this casette player is a modern spin on the old classic and a perfect gift for music lovers and prop afficianado’s alike!
Before you bemoan the practicality of the outdated tech of this item, this cassette player can also play MP3s and can be synced with a user’s computer! It can even convert music on the cassette to formats playable on ipod and other apple products!
Drugs. I sell hardcore drugs. – Sarah Miller
The start of the series begins on Joel’s birthday. He’s a hardworking, apparently single father of a pre-teen daughter named Sarah. He works a very long day and comes home to find his latchkey kid sleeping on the couch, waiting up for him. He’s forgotten to get himself a cake to share with her for his birthday and she makes him swear to get one the next day or he doesn’t get the gift she got him. He’s surprised to learn she’s gotten him a gift and when he opens it, finds that she’s gotten one of his broken watches fixed.
Joel’s Keepsake Watch
Shortly after this scene in the HBO series, armageddon breaks loose. As Joel, his daughter Sarah and his brother Tommy try to get out of Texas before the entire state gets locked down because of the spread of the mutated cordyceps fungus. It’s a heartbreaking and chaotic series of scenes that culminates in Joel’s daughter being fatally shot. The scene ends on Joel’s grief and the story skips to ten years later. We learn that Joel has kept the watch all along as a beloved keepsake, despite his grief and his apparent jaded survival mindset.
This item becomes emblematic in the series and is one of the first things Ellie asks him about when they first meet eachother (and also hate each other’s guts.) It also happens to be a stylish and subtle present for a true fan of the games or the HBO series derived from it.
Ellie’s Birthday Cassette from Joel
In “The Last of Us,” Joel gives Ellie a cassette tape with the sound of a space shuttle launch as a birthday gift. This thoughtful gesture reflects Joel’s attempt to connect with Ellie on a personal level, showcasing their unique bond in the post-apocalyptic world. The space shuttle sound symbolizes hope and exploration, adding emotional depth to the narrative. This is not only a great gift for a Last of Us fan who loves both the games and the HBO series, but it’s also a great addition to the above Cassette Player.
Ellie, understandably, is fascinated by air travel and space travel in an age long after the ability to do it has gone belly up. It’s a very sweet and telling moment for Joel’s affection for Ellie, who had become like a daughter to him.
Ellie’s Book of Terrible Puns
Ellie finds a book full of terrible puns in the course of their travels together and torments Joel with them through their time together. What first is met with tolerant irriatation by Joel becomes a silly past time the bond over while crossing the country to get Ellie to the firefly headquarters in California. This book of puns is a great addition to any Last of Us fan’s library and can also provide you or your loved one with hours of eye-roll worthy hilarity.
A Pocket Knife Inspired by Ellie’s Keepsake from her Mother
In the penultimate episode of “The Last of Us,” Ellie’s mother, Anna, faces a tragic fate. While giving birth, Anna is bitten by one of the infected, leading to her infection. It is this very bite that inadvertently grants Ellie the immunity to the Cordyceps fungus, a key element in the game’s narrative. This crucial event sets the stage for Ellie’s unique role in the post-apocalyptic world and forms a significant part of the game’s storyline, exploring themes of sacrifice, survival, and the unexpected twists of fate in a world ravaged by a deadly pandemic.
She tells Marlene, a member of the fireflies, to give Ellie the knife as a keepsake from her and she uses this blade throughout the series to defend not only herself but her friends and Joel as well. While Ellie’s knife is a switchblade (illegal in most states) we thought this damascus steel pocket knife bore a really close resemblance to the one in the series and would make a great gift for a fan or hobbyist in your life while also being super useful!
I cut it before I was bit…before. – Anna Williams
Ashley Johnson, who plays Ellie’s biological mother in the show, actually played Ellie in the original game, opposite Troy Baker who played the role of Joel. It was one of the many cameos the original voice actors made in the television series. Ashley doesn’t disappoint, that’s to be sure, delivering a heartfelt and heartbreaking performance that can make even the most steely of viewers a misty eye. The scene culminates in Anna telling Marlene to kill her to prevent her becoming a mindless zombie because of the infection spreading through her body, Anna made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure her daughter would have a chance to live.
This Amazing Poster with Botanical Cordyceps Illustrations
The way Cordyceps is theorized to spread on a massive scale is that the once-harmless fungus or its spores contaminated the food supply of some major brand of food available world wide. Because of this, fungal blooms and spores have a huge aesthetic significance in both the series and the game, making for some grotesquely beautiful visuals. This poster available from etsy and in different sizes is a playful take on old botantical illustrations of mushrooms and toad stools and also includes the progression of the cordyceps fungus in a human who is infected with it.
Ellie’s Survival Pack
In both the game and the HBO series, Joel and Ellie practically live out of their backpacks and Ellie in particular colects patches, pins and keychains through their travels. When Ellie goes missing with the pastor while Joel is fighting off an infection from a stomach wound, Joel finds Ellie’s backpack in a meat locker before he finds her in a moment of stressful suspense while she fends off her attacker in a repurposed restaurant set ablaze.
This backpack is a great gift, not only for its utilitarian function, but for the way it can be modeled to match Ellie’s from the show.
Ellie’s Signature Purple Monster Keychain
Ellie’s distinctive backpack in “The Last of Us” features a standout accessory — a small purple monster. This iconic keychain not only adds a touch of personality to her belongings but also makes her instantly recognizable to fans of the game. Adding a similar keychain from Etsy to your own backpack is a fantastic way for enthusiasts to authentically represent one of their favorite characters. It not only serves as a stylish accessory but also allows fans to connect with Ellie’s character on a personal level, embodying the spirit of the game and expressing their love for the storyline and its memorable elements. Add this as a gift or a stocking stuffer for any Last of Us lover!
Endure and Survive Firefly Patch
The fireflies play a huge role in the game and the series being that they are the end goal in Joel and Ellie’s travels. The Fireflies represent independence from martial law, but they also represent anarchy and unchecked power. This patch is a great reference to the group of rebels that Ellie’s best friend and first crush left the Fedra school to join and eventually, lead Ellie to getting bit and revealing her immunity to the parasite. It wouldn’t look too bad on that backpack either! Grab this patch as a present or a stocking stuffer for your rebelious friend or family member!
This Firefly Throw Blanket
Keep warm without attracting the attention of neerdowells with this blanket emblazoned with the Fireflies’ symbol! You cant go wrong with a gift like a blanket, who doesn’t like to be all cozy while watching their favorite series about the appocalypse? And while this item in particular wasn’t in the show, it sure is a fun way to be bundled up by in the livingroom during the holidays.
We trust that you’ve found this compilation of unique gifts tailored for fans of “The Last of Us” enjoyable. The exceptional journey of this video game, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, transitioning into a critically acclaimed HBO Limited Series, is a testament to its profound impact on audiences. “The Last of Us” transcends the conventions of typical zombie narratives by delving into themes that extend beyond the usual tropes of greed and hunger. Instead, the storyline beautifully explores the intricate dynamics of family, the weight of grief, and the profound sacrifices made in the face of a post-apocalyptic world.
What makes “The Last of Us” beloved is its ability to resonate with players and viewers alike on a deeply human level. It mirrors our own experiences and emotions, highlighting the resilience and strength found in familial bonds during times of crisis. The narrative goes beyond the surface level, delving into the complexities of human relationships, the impact of loss, and the enduring hope that, even in the darkest moments, our connections with loved ones will serve as a source of solace and support.
In essence, “The Last of Us” has become more than just a video game or a television series; it’s a reflection of the shared human experience. The gifts mentioned earlier serve as tangible expressions of appreciation for this rich narrative tapestry and offer fans an opportunity to connect with the themes and characters they hold dear.
Ideas for a Last of Us related Birthday/Christmas gift for my Dad
byu/thomysin inthelastofus
The Last of Us from HBO, is a live-action retelling of the story the hit video game franchise of the same name. It takes the typical zombie story we’re used to and flips it on its head, swapping out viruses for a mutated fungus known for taking over the brains of insects parasitically, leading to an all out apocalypse where the federal government rules things under martial law.
At the center of it all is a young girl with an apparent immunity to the bite of people infected with cordyceps (the parasitic fungi) and man who lost his only daughter at the very onset of the outbreak. It’s a heartwarming, and at times, heartwrenching story about the tenacity of humanity and the power of familial love, whether found family or biological. If you’re a fan looking to treat yourself, or know someone who is a huge fan of the series or the video game, we’ve curated a list of fantastic gifts that are not only unique, but great choices for a true fan.
Ellie’s Walkman-Style Cassette Player
Ellie, in both the game and the HBO series carries around a Sony Walkman cassette player. It’s an important item to her, and also becomes the subject of a fight that results in another girl at the Fedra school where she lives with a bloody nose. While you’ll only be able to find the original product from ebay, these days, this casette player is a modern spin on the old classic and a perfect gift for music lovers and prop afficianado’s alike!
Before you bemoan the practicality of the outdated tech of this item, this cassette player can also play MP3s and can be synced with a user’s computer! It can even convert music on the cassette to formats playable on ipod and other apple products!
Drugs. I sell hardcore drugs. – Sarah Miller
The start of the series begins on Joel’s birthday. He’s a hardworking, apparently single father of a pre-teen daughter named Sarah. He works a very long day and comes home to find his latchkey kid sleeping on the couch, waiting up for him. He’s forgotten to get himself a cake to share with her for his birthday and she makes him swear to get one the next day or he doesn’t get the gift she got him. He’s surprised to learn she’s gotten him a gift and when he opens it, finds that she’s gotten one of his broken watches fixed.
Joel’s Keepsake Watch
Shortly after this scene in the HBO series, armageddon breaks loose. As Joel, his daughter Sarah and his brother Tommy try to get out of Texas before the entire state gets locked down because of the spread of the mutated cordyceps fungus. It’s a heartbreaking and chaotic series of scenes that culminates in Joel’s daughter being fatally shot. The scene ends on Joel’s grief and the story skips to ten years later. We learn that Joel has kept the watch all along as a beloved keepsake, despite his grief and his apparent jaded survival mindset.
This item becomes emblematic in the series and is one of the first things Ellie asks him about when they first meet eachother (and also hate each other’s guts.) It also happens to be a stylish and subtle present for a true fan of the games or the HBO series derived from it.
Ellie’s Birthday Cassette from Joel
In “The Last of Us,” Joel gives Ellie a cassette tape with the sound of a space shuttle launch as a birthday gift. This thoughtful gesture reflects Joel’s attempt to connect with Ellie on a personal level, showcasing their unique bond in the post-apocalyptic world. The space shuttle sound symbolizes hope and exploration, adding emotional depth to the narrative. This is not only a great gift for a Last of Us fan who loves both the games and the HBO series, but it’s also a great addition to the above Cassette Player.
Ellie, understandably, is fascinated by air travel and space travel in an age long after the ability to do it has gone belly up. It’s a very sweet and telling moment for Joel’s affection for Ellie, who had become like a daughter to him.
Ellie’s Book of Terrible Puns
Ellie finds a book full of terrible puns in the course of their travels together and torments Joel with them through their time together. What first is met with tolerant irriatation by Joel becomes a silly past time the bond over while crossing the country to get Ellie to the firefly headquarters in California. This book of puns is a great addition to any Last of Us fan’s library and can also provide you or your loved one with hours of eye-roll worthy hilarity.
A Pocket Knife Inspired by Ellie’s Keepsake from her Mother
In the penultimate episode of “The Last of Us,” Ellie’s mother, Anna, faces a tragic fate. While giving birth, Anna is bitten by one of the infected, leading to her infection. It is this very bite that inadvertently grants Ellie the immunity to the Cordyceps fungus, a key element in the game’s narrative. This crucial event sets the stage for Ellie’s unique role in the post-apocalyptic world and forms a significant part of the game’s storyline, exploring themes of sacrifice, survival, and the unexpected twists of fate in a world ravaged by a deadly pandemic.
She tells Marlene, a member of the fireflies, to give Ellie the knife as a keepsake from her and she uses this blade throughout the series to defend not only herself but her friends and Joel as well. While Ellie’s knife is a switchblade (illegal in most states) we thought this damascus steel pocket knife bore a really close resemblance to the one in the series and would make a great gift for a fan or hobbyist in your life while also being super useful!
I cut it before I was bit…before. – Anna Williams
Ashley Johnson, who plays Ellie’s biological mother in the show, actually played Ellie in the original game, opposite Troy Baker who played the role of Joel. It was one of the many cameos the original voice actors made in the television series. Ashley doesn’t disappoint, that’s to be sure, delivering a heartfelt and heartbreaking performance that can make even the most steely of viewers a misty eye. The scene culminates in Anna telling Marlene to kill her to prevent her becoming a mindless zombie because of the infection spreading through her body, Anna made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure her daughter would have a chance to live.
This Amazing Poster with Botanical Cordyceps Illustrations
The way Cordyceps is theorized to spread on a massive scale is that the once-harmless fungus or its spores contaminated the food supply of some major brand of food available world wide. Because of this, fungal blooms and spores have a huge aesthetic significance in both the series and the game, making for some grotesquely beautiful visuals. This poster available from etsy and in different sizes is a playful take on old botantical illustrations of mushrooms and toad stools and also includes the progression of the cordyceps fungus in a human who is infected with it.
Ellie’s Survival Pack
In both the game and the HBO series, Joel and Ellie practically live out of their backpacks and Ellie in particular colects patches, pins and keychains through their travels. When Ellie goes missing with the pastor while Joel is fighting off an infection from a stomach wound, Joel finds Ellie’s backpack in a meat locker before he finds her in a moment of stressful suspense while she fends off her attacker in a repurposed restaurant set ablaze.
This backpack is a great gift, not only for its utilitarian function, but for the way it can be modeled to match Ellie’s from the show.
Ellie’s Signature Purple Monster Keychain
Ellie’s distinctive backpack in “The Last of Us” features a standout accessory — a small purple monster. This iconic keychain not only adds a touch of personality to her belongings but also makes her instantly recognizable to fans of the game. Adding a similar keychain from Etsy to your own backpack is a fantastic way for enthusiasts to authentically represent one of their favorite characters. It not only serves as a stylish accessory but also allows fans to connect with Ellie’s character on a personal level, embodying the spirit of the game and expressing their love for the storyline and its memorable elements. Add this as a gift or a stocking stuffer for any Last of Us lover!
Endure and Survive Firefly Patch
The fireflies play a huge role in the game and the series being that they are the end goal in Joel and Ellie’s travels. The Fireflies represent independence from martial law, but they also represent anarchy and unchecked power. This patch is a great reference to the group of rebels that Ellie’s best friend and first crush left the Fedra school to join and eventually, lead Ellie to getting bit and revealing her immunity to the parasite. It wouldn’t look too bad on that backpack either! Grab this patch as a present or a stocking stuffer for your rebelious friend or family member!
This Firefly Throw Blanket
Keep warm without attracting the attention of neerdowells with this blanket emblazoned with the Fireflies’ symbol! You cant go wrong with a gift like a blanket, who doesn’t like to be all cozy while watching their favorite series about the appocalypse? And while this item in particular wasn’t in the show, it sure is a fun way to be bundled up by in the livingroom during the holidays.
We trust that you’ve found this compilation of unique gifts tailored for fans of “The Last of Us” enjoyable. The exceptional journey of this video game, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, transitioning into a critically acclaimed HBO Limited Series, is a testament to its profound impact on audiences. “The Last of Us” transcends the conventions of typical zombie narratives by delving into themes that extend beyond the usual tropes of greed and hunger. Instead, the storyline beautifully explores the intricate dynamics of family, the weight of grief, and the profound sacrifices made in the face of a post-apocalyptic world.
What makes “The Last of Us” beloved is its ability to resonate with players and viewers alike on a deeply human level. It mirrors our own experiences and emotions, highlighting the resilience and strength found in familial bonds during times of crisis. The narrative goes beyond the surface level, delving into the complexities of human relationships, the impact of loss, and the enduring hope that, even in the darkest moments, our connections with loved ones will serve as a source of solace and support.
In essence, “The Last of Us” has become more than just a video game or a television series; it’s a reflection of the shared human experience. The gifts mentioned earlier serve as tangible expressions of appreciation for this rich narrative tapestry and offer fans an opportunity to connect with the themes and characters they hold dear.
Ideas for a Last of Us related Birthday/Christmas gift for my Dad
byu/thomysin inthelastofus