During the Christmas season, watching movies and shows can be more enjoyable than eating food or decorating a tree. While many people love classic films like Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life, or even Die Hard, there are many other great Christmas-themed or Holiday anime to discover.
Anime offers a wide range of Christmas stories.
These shows and movies can feature the holiday directly or simply take place during the winter.
Expect to see snowy landscapes, delicious holiday treats, and Santa in his red suit.
Anime provides a unique way to explore Christmas topics, from the traditional Santa Claus tale to stories about romance, festive celebrations, or even the journey of the three wise men.
Christmas anime offers a fresh twist on familiar themes, making it fun to watch something different during the holidays.
With the holiday season approaching and the year coming to an end, anime can offer a comforting escape from seasonal stress.
Even those who enjoy winter can find these series uplifting and cheerful.
These holiday anime are perfect for spreading warmth and joy during the cold months.
They bring positive energy and make the season feel extra special.
When there are too many choices, it becomes hard to find the best ones. This guide can help make it easier.
Best Anime to Watch During the Holidays
My Roommate Is A Cat
My Roommate Is A Cat tells the story of Subaru Mikazuki, a shy writer who prefers staying alone.
He avoids socializing and finds comfort in his books. Subaru lost his parents in a car accident and has no family or close friends.
One day, Subaru meets a stray cat named Haru while visiting his parents’ grave. At first, he hesitates to bring Haru home.
However, the cat is just happy to have food and a warm place to stay. Haru soon notices Subaru’s struggle to care for himself and decides to help him in any way possible.
This heartwarming story shows the growing bond between Subaru and Haru. It is an example of a holiday anime that focuses on companionship and healing.
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague is a fun and quirky anime perfect for the winter season.
It follows Himuro, a man who is part of a powerful snow spirit family. Whenever he gets too emotional, he accidentally releases snow and ice.
This makes it hard for him to keep his feelings in check, especially around his new coworker, Fuyutsuki.
She is calm and composed, which makes Himuro freeze up every time she is near him.
This leads to many funny moments and awkward situations at work. The show mixes humor with warmth and is great for the holiday season.
Usagi Drop
Usagi Drop is about a 30-year-old man named Daikichi Kawachi, who unexpectedly adopts a six-year-old girl named Rin.
The story focuses on the bond they share as they both adjust to their new family life.
Daikichi has no experience with children, so he faces many challenges in learning how to care for Rin.
The show portrays the ups and downs of parenthood in a simple and heartwarming way.
Even though the story is mostly about raising a child, it is easy for anyone to enjoy. Viewers can connect with Daikichi, who defends Rin against his relatives who treat her badly.
The relationship between the two grows as they learn to live together, offering a touching look at family dynamics.
This show is especially relatable during the holiday season, when families come together.
The animation is detailed, making the story even more enjoyable.
Usagi Drop is a perfect holiday anime for anyone who wants to see a warm and heartfelt tale about family.
Laid-Back Camp
Laid-Back Camp is a perfect holiday anime to enjoy and relax.
It tells the story of Nadeshiko, a high school girl who decides to ride her bike to Mount Fuji, which is featured on the 1,000 yen bill.
However, her journey takes a wrong turn when the weather becomes much worse.
Nadeshiko tries to return, but it is already too late. The cold and exhaustion cause her to faint.
When she wakes up, it is dark, and she finds herself in an unfamiliar place.
Soon, she meets a girl named Rin, who is camping peacefully in the wilderness.
This meeting begins the heartwarming and peaceful adventure of Laid-Back Camp.
Kanon
Key’s visual novels are known as true classics.
Fans often argue about which one made them cry more—Clannad or Kanon.
The 2006 anime adaptation of Kanon is considered one of the best. It is also easier to find than the 2002 OVA version.
Kanon’s story is full of surprises, making it hard to summarize.
The plot follows Yuichi Aizawa, a boy who returns to a school he attended before but has no memory of it.
As the story unfolds, he learns he is not the only one with lost memories. Watching the anime first can be a great way to start, but expect to shed some tears.
If interested, the visual novel offers a deeper experience.
The beautiful animation, along with the perfect soundtrack, makes it a great anime to watch during the holiday season.
Spice & Wolf
Spice & Wolf is a great holiday anime to watch during the winter.
Even though the story takes place in autumn, it still feels perfect for cold weather. The show mixes economics and romance in a way that is surprisingly interesting.
Kraft Lawrence is the main character, a traveling merchant. He meets Holo, a wolf spirit and goddess of harvest, who promises good wheat crops in the village.
As the series continues, Kraft begins to fall in love with Holo. Holo stands out because of her fun personality and unique design.
Buddy Daddies
Unlike some other shows, Buddy Daddies will definitely bring a smile to your face.
It is not a “winter-themed anime,” but its first episodes happen on Christmas Day. Buddy Daddies is a fun anime series with a great first episode.
The story follows two skilled assassins, Kurusu Kazuki and Suwa Rei, who are known for never failing their missions.
Kazuki, dressed as Santa, crashes a Christmas party to target someone. It is on this day he meets Miri, a sweet little girl who becomes very important to him.
The two assassins must now balance their dangerous jobs with raising a 4-year-old.
They must figure out how to care for her, from keeping her entertained to taking her to school. In the process, they realize that being parents may be their hardest mission yet.
Although Buddy Daddies is not focused on Christmas, it ends with a Christmas episode.
Kazuki and Rei attend a holiday party at Miri’s school. The series has all the right elements for anyone looking for a holiday anime to watch.
Winter Sonota
Winter Sonata is an anime adapted from a famous Korean drama. The story is about Yoo Jin, a woman who loses her love, Joo Sang, in an accident.
Years later, she moves on and gets engaged to her childhood friend. However, her life changes when she meets someone who looks exactly like Joo Sang.
The anime tells a touching, winter-themed love story, filled with emotion.
The story focuses on Yoo Jin’s journey through grief and new beginnings.
Although Winter Sonata is not overly cheerful, it is still a beautiful and heartfelt winter romance.
The anime version of this story is visually stunning. It is a great pick for anyone who enjoys emotional dramas during the holidays.
After watching the anime, checking out the live-action drama or the original manhwa is worth considering.
This anime is part of a trend where many winter-themed shows are sad but meaningful.
For anyone who enjoys deep and touching love stories, this one is highly recommended.
Yuri!!! On Ice
Yuri on Ice is a holiday anime that stands out as the ultimate winter-themed show.
The title itself features “ice,” making it the perfect pick for a cold winter day.
The story follows Yuri Katsuki, a talented figure skater who quits after a big loss in a major competition.
Back home, Yuri tries to stay positive while skating for fun. However, his life changes when Viktor Nikiforov, a famous Olympic skater and Yuri’s idol, arrives and insists on coaching him.
This sets off a journey of growth, where Yuri not only becomes a top skater but also develops a romantic relationship with Viktor.
Ice skating is a popular winter activity, so Yuri on Ice fits the season perfectly.
The anime blends romantic comedy with intense sports action, exploring the struggles and dedication required to perfect a skating routine.
Yuri often struggles with anxiety, but Viktor, his idol turned lover, helps him find confidence and success.
Tokyo Godfathers
Tokyo Godfathers is a holiday anime directed by Satoshi Kon.
It follows three homeless people—Hana, Gin, and Miyuki—who are searching for gifts in the trash on Christmas Eve.
They discover an abandoned baby and decide to find its parents. Along the way, they face strange events and challenges that put their plan at risk.
This film explores themes of redemption and family.
It mixes humor, strange coincidences, and unexpected twists, leading to a heartwarming ending. The characters are well-developed and intriguing.
Their backstories are revealed gradually, keeping the audience engaged.
The animation in Tokyo Godfathers is stunning. The detailed cityscapes, including famous buildings like the Tokyo Towers, create a realistic atmosphere.
The character expressions and background details add to the film’s overall beauty.
