Best Winter Anime to Watch This Year!

Winter is just around the corner. As the days get shorter, darker, and colder, we’re looking for things to keep us entertained and happy. And what better way than with winter anime to watch with family or friends? 

We have exciting shows to watch this anime season, featuring catchy music, relatable characters, and fun stories to enjoy. So grab a comfy chair, make some popcorn, and sit down for these amazing anime series!

Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill (2023)

Four people get transported to the Kingdom of Reijseger. The three high school students become “Heroes” with extraordinary powers. The only adult, Tsuyoshi Mukouda (Mukohda), gets the seemingly mundane “Online Supermarket” ability and goes off on his uneventful journey. 

Using his new power, Mukohda buys items from modern Japan and cooks fantastic dishes. He makes many allies thanks to his culinary prowess, including his familiars Fel (a Fenrir) and Sui (a slime). He adds to his supply and reputation while still having exciting adventures.

Despite the odds against him, Mukohda wins through his friendly personality and tasty cuisine. Each episode features mouthwatering meals that charm both characters onscreen and viewers at home. These recipes are simple enough to recreate if you’re hungry!

Another reason to check out this series is the feel-good atmosphere. While there are some fight scenes, Campfire Cooking focuses on character moments and, of course, the food. You can easily watch all the episodes in one day. But don’t worry; a second season is in the works.!

Number of Episodes: 12 

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

Tomo-chan Is a Girl! (2023) 

School life is tough, especially if you’re in unrequited love. Tomboy Tomo Aizawa has a crush on her childhood friend, Junichiro Kubota. The problem? Jun only sees her as “one of the boys,” no matter how hard she tries to prove her feelings!

Tomo-chan is a Girl! is perfect for Toradora! fans. Tomo is feisty while struggling to be herself. Jun is charming if clueless, and his friendship with Tomo is fun to watch. Though, if we’re being honest, it’s a relief when he finally realizes he likes her back! 

Then there are the side characters: Misuzu Gundou, Tomo’s friend and Jun’s ex; Carol Olston and Kousuke Misaki, distant relatives who (according to Carol) have married three times; and Goro Aizawa, a karate teacher, and Tomo’s tough-love father.

This winter anime has an unusual couple, hilarious misunderstandings, and killer karate scenes. If you’re looking for a rom-com with heartwarming moments, Tomo-chan Is a Girl! is what you need. 

Number of Episodes: 13

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

D4DJ All Mix (2023) 

Next is another school anime but without the romance. Its story is set at Arisugawa Academy and follows the DJ unit Lyrical Lily (Miyu, Haruna, Kurumi, and Miiko). They’re invited to perform at the local town’s revitalization project. Unsure they can pull it off alone, the girls call in outside help.

Fans of the D4DJ series will recognize characters from previous installments, including the members of Happy Around!, Peaky P-key, Photon Maiden, Merm4id, and Rondo. Each unit has its musical style reflected in the soundtrack and musical performances.

Besides the music, D4DJ All Mix has lovable characters, like mischievous Kurumi and kind-hearted Haruna. Their interactions with the other performers create dynamics that viewers will enjoy.

D4DJ All Mix is the perfect pick-me-up, with upbeat music, a cute cast, and true friendships. Don’t forget to check out the other anime in this series. And make sure to add your favorite tunes to your anime playlist!

Number of Episodes: 12

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, HIDIVE, Anime Network

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Urusei Yatsura (2022-2023) 

After beating alien princess Lum in a game of tag, human Ataru Moroboshi accidentally marries her. It’s not “happily ever after” since Lum attracts admirers and Ataru goes on lecherous antics. And that’s before you add in the aliens and other supernatural entities!

Lum is an iconic character from future funk content. The original manga and anime (1981-86) are still popular today due to the character designs and storylines. Urusei Yatsura is especially important because of its mix of comedy, magical girl, and harem anime genres.

The 2022 remake keeps the 80s anime style while adding a brighter color palette. It also has the same charm and humor while updated for 21st-century viewers. You can enjoy the crazy scenarios while still catching the pop culture references.

Whether you’ve read the manga, seen the 1981 series, or are watching Urusei Yatsura without doing either, we guarantee that you’ll enjoy this anime. And you don’t have to wait long once you finish Season 1. Season 2 will air in January 2024!

Number of Episodes: 23 (in 45 segments)

Where to Watch: HIDIVE, Bilibili, Vudu, Prime Video

Why should I check out these winter anime? 

There are so many anime options we could have chosen for this list. Why did we single out these particular shows?

The cast. Every show on this list has unique characters. From hot-headed Tomo to easygoing Mukohda, there’s someone to root for. And for more questionable people (we’re looking at you, Ataru), someone like Lum will put them in their place!

The comedy. Each series has its form of humor: Jun misinterpreting Tomo’s acts of love, Ataru getting caught by Lum, and Lyrical Lily’s shenanigans. Laughter is sometimes the best medicine, and you’ll laugh hysterically during at least one of these episodes.

The music. We love catchy openings, relaxing endings, and memorable OSTs. And each show on this list has one or all of them. Even if the series doesn’t meet your expectations, we hope you find new songs for your playlist.

The comforting atmosphere. Though each anime has different levels of action and romance, all have a slice-of-life quality. No matter what your favorite genre is, you can bet on a feel-good session with one or more of them.

Whether you get snowed in or spend winter in a tropical paradise, you can count on these winter anime to warm you up on the inside. Have you seen any of these shows? Are there any other series that readers should watch? Leave a comment below!