There are a lot of TV shows out there and in this golden age of TV streaming, the choices have never been greater. So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic? Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest, and unforgettable shows through the years.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to the best anime with a Christmas theme. From Tokyo Godfathers to Wolf Children, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
Tokyo Godfathers
Tokyo Godfathers is one of Satoshi Kon’s less psychological works. Where Perfect Blue and Paprika contain strong thought-provoking elements, this anime chooses to be less intellectual and more causal-friendly. It takes place on Christmas Eve and follows three homeless individuals named Han, Gin, and Miyuki.
They rummage through piles of garbage in search of presents. They discover an abandoned baby. While Miyuki and Gin wish to pay it no mind, Hana’s maternal instincts kick in. She convinces Gin and Miyuki to help her find the baby’s biological mother to demand an explanation from them. They name the baby Kiyoko and embark on their quest.
These three have amazing chemistry and personalities. You’ll adore learning more about their characters over time and find their interactions with each other charming and grand. Visually, this anime contains remarkable scenery that will get you into the Christmas spirit and mood. With its heartwarming themes and exciting obstacles, Tokyo Godfathers is a must-watch.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
This anime serves as an excellent Christmas film and continuation of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. This sequel plays more into Haruhi’s space and time-altering powers and provides more intensity. That said, fans will adore it for its handling of loss and how it affects everyone in Haruhi’s friend group.
In it, we follow Kyon, the show’s protagonist. Kyon attends a Christmas meeting hosted by Haruhi and his friends. The next day, Kyon finds himself in a world where Haruhi and his former friends no longer remember him. Although this is something he’s secretly wanted in the series, Kyon will realize he needs Haruhi and his friends more than they need him.
This film contains great drama, romance, and supernatural elements. You’ll be rooting for Kyon in his attempts at getting the group back together. Everyone has alternate personalities from Yuki to the bullied Asahina. With some nice twists and turns, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a great anime to watch after you’ve completed the series.
5 Centimeters Per Second
5 Centimeters Per Second is an emotional tear-jerker. It highlights the difficult bond between two friends named Takaki and Akari. Due to certain predicaments that occur in their lives, they can no longer see each other. As time flies by, the two realize the challenges that stem from maintaining a healthy long-distance friendship.
Our characters will endure much hardship in this anime. It’ll resonate with many people who find themselves in a similar situation as Takaki and Akari. The anime doesn’t hold back on its emotional conflict. Its final results may or may not surprise you, but it will surely make you cry into a pillow. Visually, the anime has gorgeous animation.
Although its story isn’t well-crafted, it should leave a lasting impression. Give this a shot if you’re searching for an amazing romance anime with relatability.
Itsudatte My Santa!
Itsudatte My Santa is a fantasy romance series that’ll get you into the Christmas spirit. It follows Mai, a girl who meets a boy named Santa on Christmas Eve. Santa isn’t a fan of the holiday, so it’s up to Mai to get this boy into the Christmas spirit. This is a two-episode series that you can binge within a day.
Mai’s a determined person who tries her best to appeal to Santa. From conjuring trucks of fish to performing amusing magical stunts, Mai will do everything she can to make Santa smile during the holidays. The jokes can get old quickly and the plot’s not as engaging as you’d hope. However, there is a sweet love story inserted in the series that should hold you down.
If you’re in need of something swift to watch on Christmas, this anime should satisfy you.
Whisper of the Heart
Whisper of the Heart is an incredible drama and romance anime. It follows a young girl named Shizuku. She loves literature and learns that a boy named Seiji shares a similar passion for it. She finds Seiji in an antique shop and the two become well acquainted. After learning about Seiji’s life goals, Shizuku embarks on a soul-searching quest to find something to pursue.
This anime contains strong character development. Everyone receives just enough screen time to stand out. It’s bewildering how much depth is given to the show’s supporting cast and how much of an impact they have on Shizuku’s journey over time. Visually, this anime harbors beautiful scenery from its majestic landscapes to its rich architectural design.
Some of the anime’s songs repeat a lot. However, they won’t take you out of the experience. If you’re looking for whimsical anime to watch during the holiday season, consider watching Whisper of the Heart.
Wolf Children
Wolf Children is an incredible anime and one that everyone can enjoy. It contains immaculate visuals, life messages, and stunning animation. This anime showcases the problems that arise in a single-parent household. Our protagonist, Hana, struggles to maintain her family’s safety and health. Her children aren’t ordinary kids, as they’re half wolves.
She abandons her rural city life to give her family happiness and good fortune. Her kids will endure their own personal mental dilemmas. Everyone receives fantastic development and screen time in this work. While its final scene may feel bittersweet to some folks, you’ll enjoy the journey our characters embark on in this work. Give Wolf Children a shot if you love dramatic family films.
Kanon
Kanon is a beautiful anime from Kyoto Animation’s repertoire. It’s not as discussed as much as its popular series, but its simplistic narrative should appeal to many audiences. In Kanon, we follow our protagonist’s daily life and interactions with countless females. These girls will play a vital role in his mental transformation.
Each character holds merit in the narrative. There will be times when they’re emotionally broken and other instances where they’re downright cheerful. The series places realistic obstacles for our cast to overcome that’ll resonate with specific people. It’s a show that enjoys building upon its character’s relationships over time, too.
Although it may not be as popular as Clannad, K-On, or The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kanon has its merits.
Winter Sonata
Winter Sonata is one of the rare anime on this list. It’s based on a Korean Drama of the same name. It follows a woman named Yoo Jin who loses his lover in an accident. It takes her some time to heal from this incident, but she gathers the strength to move forward with her life. She marries a childhood friend, but her life takes a turn when she encounters someone who looks like her former lover.
This is gorgeous anime that many K-drama fans would love. Its winter-like setting will get people in the mood for Christmas, especially those who love to snuggle with their loved ones during the holiday. It’s not a perfect work, but it harbors enough favorable drama elements to satisfy hardcore K-drama enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a decent and cozy romance anime to watch before Christmas, this one’s worth watching.
Aggretsuko: We Wish You A Metal Christmas
Aggretsuko is a bundle of wackiness many fans can’t get enough of. With its fast-paced storytelling and bite-sized format, many viewers love checking up on this red panda’s hilarious antics. Eventually, the series would receive a 22-minute Christmas special to celebrate its rise in popularity. Fans of the original show will surely get a laugh out of this one.
In it, we follow the show’s protagonist Retsuko. She plans to get into some mischief before the Christmas season hits. Unfortunately, nothing goes well for our little darling as she spends her holidays obsessing over how to get famous online. This is a relatable special for many people, due to the rise in social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
If you’re a fan of the series and haven’t checked out this Christmas special, feel free to give it a watch.
Is the Order a Rabbit??
Although Made In Abyss put Kinema Citrus on the map, they have a few other series that are worth your time. It may not be as gruesome as Made In Abyss, but Is the Order a Rabbit has enough cutesy humor and adorable characters to warm you up for the holiday season. This slice-of-life anime follows Kokoa, a new waitress working for the Rabbit House café.
Although she was excited to work for them at first, her image of the café shattered instantly. Nevertheless, life at the café remains pleasant and she enjoys working with her friends Tippy, Rize, and Chino. Alongside two other characters, they get into crazy adventures involving troubled novelists, rival establishments, secret treasures, and more.
If you’re familiar with the moe sub-genre, then you know what you’re in for with this one. Our girls take part in numerous activities in cutesy and charming ways. It’s a cozy series that doesn’t get too deep. It’s simply made to make viewers feel warm inside. If you’re in need of an anime with a simplistic premise and gorgeous world, check this out.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best Christmas-themed anime through the years!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!