It’s Christmas time! Got to love all the lights and holiday celebration, and what better way to celebrate than watching Christmas anime? Right? … Right? So… Uhh… Where’s the seasonal anime at? Well, here’s the thing. There really aren’t that many, and it stems from a difference in culture.
Christmas is still celebrated in Japan, but it’s not quite the same as it is in the West. While Christmas here is usually more family focused, in Japan it is more of a party holiday. It’s actually shown quite frequently in anime, where the characters either are having a Christmas party with their friends or going out on a date. As a result, Christmas anime (if you want to call them “Christmas anime”) are quite a bit different from what you’d expect, especially if you’re comparing it to western Christmas movies. That being said, there’s some great anime that have Christmas episodes or take place around Christmas. I know, it’s not quite the same, but hopefully these will still scratch the itch for seasonal celebration. As with my Halloween list, these are in no particular order.
Amagami SS
Amagami SS is a harem series (based on a dating sim) but, rather than the half-ass romance, they tell the story for each girl all the way to the conclusion. Given that several of the arcs have their romantic climax in the Christmas episodes, I’d say this series deserves a place on this list.
Itsudatte My Santa!
Honestly, probably the most Christmas-y a series can get, with a Santa-in-training and a character actually named Santa (not THE Santa, just some poor kid stuck with a peculiar name). It’s only a 2 episode OVA, so don’t expect anything that’ll blow you out of the water with the plot, but it’s as Christmas as it gets. So, enjoy a quick watch to celebrate the season.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
I love the Haruhi Suzumiya series, even the Endless Eight arc (yeah, I said it). As a fantastic addition to the series, the full length film (actually, notably longer than most movies nowadays) The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a great option for the season. While not really having any close ties to Christmas themes, it takes place around Christmas, and it’s phenomenal, so check it out.
Toradora
This series is great regardless of the season, but it also has a major plot point in the Christmas episode. Arguably, Toradora deserves a full post on it’s own (maybe in the future). I can’t recommend this series enough if you enjoy a well-made romantic anime, especially that conclusion.
Strawberry Marshmallow
A short, easy-going (and quite moe) series, Strawberry Marshmallow follows the daily life of four elementary school girls and one’s elder sister. As with most slice of life, it’s more soothing than anything, a nice break from the harshness of real life. More importantly (for this list, at least), the final episode is a Christmas episode. If you want some feel-good goodness for Christmas, this is worth a watch.
And there’s a nice quick list of anime to watch for Christmas. Tried to keep it short, given the proximity to the holiday. Hope you enjoy. Merry Christmas to all, and happy holidays!