Best Anime Christmas Movies and Shows to Watch!

Anime Christmas movies often contain these themes while putting their unique twist on the holiday. The following movies and shows highlight anime’s unique twist on Christmas perfectly. If you need a good movie to watch this holiday season, these are the movies for you! 

Tokyo Godfathers

Released in 2003 and written/directed by Satoshi Kon, Tokyo Godfathers is an unlikely but no less moving tale set during Christmas. The story involves three close-knit homeless people: Gin, who has an estranged daughter; Hana, a former bar owner; and Miyuki, who ran away from home.

One night, they discover an abandoned newborn baby with a note asking the person who found it to take good care of them. Alongside the note is a key that leads to a bag full of clues about the baby’s parents. While Tokyo Godfathers is sometimes severe and a tad grim, it revolves around compassion and companionship, making it the perfect Christmas story.

Itsudatte My Santa

Initially created in 1997 as a manga by Ken Akamatsu (of Love Hina fame), Itsudatte My Santa was later adapted into a two-part OVA in 2005. Itsudatte, My Santa, tells how a girl named Mai meets a young boy who hates Christmas. As it turns out, the boy was born on December 24^th and named Santa. 

His unfortunate name, plus the fact that he could never enjoy Christmas-time festivities growing up, led him to despise the holiday. Mai then must help Santa learn to shed his negativity through the power of Christmas! A classic Christmas concept through and through, Itsudatte My Santa is a story that fits the Christmas bill perfectly.

Wolf Children

Co-written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Wolf Children is a 2012 film that explores the themes of grief, motherhood, and the relationship between a mother and her children. In the film, a young college student named Hana falls in love with a werewolf. Shortly after they have two children together, the werewolf is killed tragically, leaving Hana to raise their two children by herself. 

While this would ordinarily be a tricky situation in the best of terms, Hana’s children being half-human, half-werewolves makes the entire ordeal that much harder. While the central theme is undoubtedly thematic, Wolf Children’s love, perseverance, and growth messages make it a perfect Christmas film.

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The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Released in 2010, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is an animated film that continues the story first presented in 2006’s The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. It is based on the fourth light novel in the Haruhi Suzumiya series written by Nagaru Tanigawa. After the events of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the film takes place in December. 

The SOS Brigade plans to have a nabe party for Christmas, but on December 18^th, Kyon learns that his reality has changed. Several characters behave differently; Haruhi is missing, and no one remembers her or the SOS Brigade.

The story focuses on Kyon as he works to learn the nature of his reality distortion. It might focus on something other than Christmas as a significant theme. Still, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya takes place during Christmas, which makes it a great movie to watch during the holiday.

Winter Sonata

A 2002 South Korean television drama adapted into an anime series, Winter Sonata, tells an intricately plotted story of love, mystery, tragedy, and revelation. A lifetime of whirlwind love begins when a young boy named Joon-sang falls in love with his classmate, Yoo-jin. To say that Winter Sonata is complicated is the understatement of the century. This is because themes include tragic childhoods, forgotten memories, and even love triangles! 

Winter Sonata has it all and more. With true love as its central theme, Winter Sonata is an excellent Christmastime watch. This is because it focuses on the trials and tribulations of true love. Everyone knows the true gift anyone can give another is their heart, making Winter Sonata perfect for the season.

What makes these anime Christmas movies unique?

Christmas isn’t just about giving gifts. Sure, Santa and his reindeer are iconic, but that’s only the surface of the Christmas holiday. The true meaning of Christmas is the happiness we give and inspire in one another.

Each film embodies that core value in its storytelling, characters, and plots. What’s your favorite anime to watch during Christmas? Did we mention it? Let us know what you love to watch and why! We’d love to hear from you!