28 Best Christmas Anime To Watch In The Upcoming December

As winter arrives and streets become bright with colorful decorations, an excited feeling fills the air. It’s that special time of year when people get excited about Christmas. If you like anime, you might be searching for some Christmas anime series or episodes to watch with your family and friends during the holidays.

In the anime world, you’ll discover a unique and imaginative way to explore holiday traditions and feelings. As an anime fan myself, I’ve put together a list of Christmas-themed anime that you can enjoy in December (and for me also), whether you want to share them with loved ones or simply bring some festive joy to your day.

And if movies aren’t enough to express your passion, Loveable has put together a list of Christmas-themed anime gifts for you to give to your friends and loved ones as a way to show yourself.

28 Christmas Theme Anime That You Will Surely Love 

1. Itsudatte My Santa! (Series)

If there’s someone who can create an excellent Christmas anime series, it’s Ken Akamatsu, the creator of Love Hina. The anime follows a storyline that’s similar to many holiday movies but is packed with the unique charm and deep emotions that make anime great. The main character, named Santa, was born on Christmas Eve but surprisingly dislikes the holiday. However, everything changes when he meets a young woman determined to bring out the festive spirit in this grumpy Santa.

2. 5 Centimeters per Second (Movie)

The movie is divided into three parts, each focusing on different moments in the lives of the two main characters. It’s a touching story that starts with their friendship and shows how it grows into a stronger emotion. But as time passes, their feelings face the challenge of distance until they reach adulthood. The film features three beautiful segments, showcasing the winter season with scenes of falling snow, making it a perfect choice for the Christmas season.

3. K-On! (Series)

In Episode 7 of this series, Yui’s sister Ui Hirasawa, recalls a sweet childhood memory when Yui tried to create a white Christmas by decorating a tree with pillow stuffing. Ritsu comes up with the idea of having a Christmas party for the club. Initially, they consider having it at Tsumugi’s house, but when that plan falls through, they ultimately decide to host it at Yui’s home while her parents are away on vacation.

4. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (Movie)

Similar to “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya,” this sequel continues to follow the lives of the SOS Brigade, a high school club created by its quirky leader. But there’s a twist. Just a week before Haruhi’s planned Christmas party, our sarcastic main character, Kyon, wakes up to a strange discovery: nobody in their class remembers Haruhi, and the SOS Brigade seems to have never existed. This isn’t your typical Christmas story, and to fully enjoy it, you’ll need to be familiar with the two previous seasons. Nevertheless, it’s a pretty great movie set during the winter season.

5. D4DJ: First Mix (Series)

D4DJ: First Mix is about Rinku Aimoto, the main character who grew up on a quiet African island. The anime is all about her adventures in high school. And, of course, when it comes to Christmas, this music-themed anime doesn’t disappoint. In the seventh episode of “D4DJ: First Mix,” you’ll find a story that’s not only important to the plot and character development but also includes the best concert scene so far, with amazing visuals and great music.

6. Lucky☆Star (Series)

This anime has a total of 24 episodes. In Episode 11, it’s almost the end of the year, and Christmas is coming up. The characters start talking about how, when they’re on the bus and feeling tired, they might accidentally lean on the person sitting next to them. Konata, one of the characters, often gets drowsy on her bus rides and has even fallen asleep on the shoulder of the person sitting beside her.

7. Winter Garden (2 Ep Series)

It’s a sweet love story during wintertime on Earth, making this a good anime for Christmas. Dejiko is now 20 years old, and Puchiko is 15. They’ve changed a bit, no longer using special words at the end of their sentences, and don’t have eye powers anymore. Dejiko has grown up and is no longer lazy, selfish, or always seeking attention, which was typical of her in the past.

Rabi en Rose only makes a small appearance, and Gema doesn’t show up at all. Dejiko now works hard in a pastry shop. One day, she meets a guy named Takurou Senba in the park, and he gives her an umbrella. Dejiko falls in love with him. 

8. Digimon Adventure 02 (Series)

In Digimon Adventure 02, episode 38, to have a fun Christmas Eve, Ken wants to throw a party at his place. He’s a bit worried that his friends might say no, but to his delight, all of them, including Cody, happily agree. The six of them come up with a plan to surprise the other Digipelts by bringing their Digimon along so they can all enjoy the holidays together.

9. Whisper of the Heart (Movie)

The story is about Shizuku Tsukishima, a middle school student who’s a big fan of reading. But whenever she grabs a book from the library, it seems to have the name Seiji Amasawa written on it. After she meets a unique boy, she realizes he’s her first crush. Getting to know him helps Shizuku discover more about herself and others.

A big part of the story is about growing up and experiencing your first love during the teenage years. The plot delves into the journey of the girl’s changing feelings, from finding the boy annoying to developing a fondness for him. Ultimately, the story’s main theme is about self-discovery and overcoming obstacles to chase your dreams. The movie tells a gentle, emotional love story, perfect for couples to watch together during the Christmas season.

10. Love Hina Christmas Special: Silent Eve (Movie)

For a fun holiday movie to enjoy during the festive season, consider watching the Love Hina Christmas Special: Silent Eve. In this film by Production I.G., the main character, Keitaro, finds himself in a challenging situation with many women confessing their love to him around Christmas. All the characters believe that this Christmas Eve is extra special because it’s the Millennium, and declaring their love might make their wishes come true. While it might sound like a recipe for chaos, it’s actually a lighthearted and amusing Christmas special that’s easy to enjoy.

11. Log Horizon (Series)

If you’re looking for some action and adventure, check out the Log Horizon Christmas special. This Season 2 episode, called “Christmas Eve,” takes the fantasy world of Log Horizon and adds a festive twist.

In this episode, members of The Round Table Council must band together to stop an attack by Enbart Nelles, who wants to ruin the Christmas celebrations in Akiba. And if one battle isn’t exciting enough, there’s another epic showdown as council members face off against monsters from the Depths of Palm. It’s a thrilling holiday special with plenty of action to keep you entertained.

12. Santa Company 2019 (Movie)

This is a remake of the 2014 anime “Santa Company,” where a girl becomes part of Santa Company, which delivers gifts to children. The 2019 version is an hour long, while the 2014 version is only half an hour. “Santa Company” is a short anime that teaches the true meaning of Christmas. It’s suitable for anyone to watch, and I believe kids of all ages should see it, even if they aren’t anime fans.

13. Kanon (Series)

The first episode of Kanon is set in winter, with the character Yuichi returning to his hometown after seven years. He aims to recover his lost memories in Northern Japan. Before the anime series, there was a video game adaptation of Kanon, originally made for adults and later modified for all audiences. Kanon is a classic from KyoAni, and despite nearly two decades passing since its release, it remains a great anime to watch.

14. Sailor Moon S Movie: Hearts In Ice (Movie)

It’s not exactly a Christmas tale, but the icy and snowy scenes in this movie give off a wintery vibe. In the story, Princess Snow Kaguya plans to freeze Earth, and no one believes Kakeru until the Sailor Guardians see Kaguya causing destruction. This is a classic anime film, and if you’re a Sailor Moon fan or just enjoy older anime, it’s a great pick for the holiday season. It offers action and, even though it’s designed for kids, it’s enjoyable for anyone.

15. Pokemon (Series)

This is probably a childhood cartoon for many people. Pokemon has a few Christmas episodes, and “Pikachu’s Winter Vacation” is one of them in the Pokemon Chronicles series. It consists of two short episodes set during the winter. While Ash and friends are out running errands, the Pokemon get into some mischief. In the other short episode, Togepi goes on an adventure and meets a wild Kangaskhan. Both of these short episodes have a nice story, and you don’t have to watch the previous episodes to understand them!

16. Cardcaptor Sakura (Series)

Sakura and her friends visit a theme park. Before their trip, Sakura is thinking about what to give Yukito for his birthday, which happens to be on Christmas. It’s a fun Christmas-themed episode with a touch of adventure as they spend time at the theme park with Yukito. If you enjoy Christmas-themed anime episodes, this one is worth watching, even if the anime is a bit old. Cardcaptor Sakura was especially popular in the late 90s due to differences between the Japanese and English versions. You can probably follow this episode even if you haven’t seen the earlier ones.

17. Hamtaro (Series)

This anime is about a hamster named Bossthat who wants to be good. Bossthat and friends go on an adventure to find the real Santa, hoping that Bossthat will receive a gift. It’s a sweet episode where they all join forces to help their friend. You can enjoy this without watching the earlier episodes if you don’t want to. Hamtaro is from the early 2000s, but if you like cute anime or want to watch a Christmas-themed episode, this is a good choice.

18. My Little Monster (Series)

“My Little Monster” is a romantic comedy featuring two high school students, Shizuku Mizutani, who’s not very social, and Haru Yoshida, who can be a troublemaker. Even at this stage of the show, they’re not perfect, but in the Christmas episode, you can see how they’re getting better at connecting with people. Their friend Asako Natsume organizes a Christmas party, and it plays a significant role in the episode, earning it the title of a “Christmas” episode.

19. Mr. Osomatsu (Series)

The best thing about Christmas is having a good laugh, and Mr. Osomatsu’s holiday special is sure to make you laugh a lot (Episode 11 — “Christmas Osomatsu-san”). Maybe you’ve had enough of the sweet, warm Christmas feelings, and you want something different. Or perhaps you never really liked Christmas, and that’s perfectly okay! Even if you’re a Grinch, you’re welcome here.

20. ERASED (Series)

“ERASED” is about Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old manga artist who can go back in time before bad things happen. But when he’s wrongly accused of a crime, he goes back 18 years in time. He realizes this crime might be linked to the death of his childhood friend, Kayo Hinazuki.

In the show, Christmas might seem strange, given the dark story. But Christmas symbolizes hope and light. After learning about Kayo’s tough past, Satoru takes her to see a beautiful Christmas tree. This bright moment brings joy to her for the first time.

21. Acchi Kocchi  (Series)

“Acchi Kocchi” is about two high school students, Tsumiki Miniwa and Io Otonashi, and their friends Hime, Sakaki, and Mayoi. It’s a cute and funny show about their everyday life. In episode 10, they get ready for a Christmas cake sale on Christmas Eve. This episode shows that Christmas is about being with friends you care about, not just for romantic couples. Even after a long day of work, these five friends still have fun together. If you want a sweet Christmas episode about friendship, this one’s for you.

22. Sakura Trick (Series)

“Sakura Trick” is about best friends, Haruka Takayama and Yuu Sonoda. In their first year of high school, they do something special to show how close they are, which is a kiss. But as the episodes go on, Haruka and Yuu get closer and closer. However, in the episode “Cherry Blossom-Colored Christmas,” they suddenly start avoiding each other. Yuu’s older sister, Mitsuki, notices this and tries to get them to talk about their issues during a group outing to see Christmas lights with their friends.

23. School Babysitters (Series)

School Babysitters is a story about two brothers, Ryuichi and Kotaro, who lost their parents in a plane crash. An older lady, who also suffered a similar loss, decides to adopt them. She helps them settle into their new school and become a family while they cope with their grief.

In episode 12, the show celebrates Christmas. It’s a joyful time for everyone, but it’s a reminder that Ryuichi and Kotaro lost their parents and will have their first Christmas without them. Ryuichi plans a surprise, dressing up as Santa for Kotaro. But he’s in for a big surprise himself, as he’s surrounded by love and care from his adopted family, friends, and the families of the kids he looks after. The episode ends with a picture of the two brothers smiling, surrounded by people who care for them.

24. Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? (Series)

This show is a heartwarming and fun story about the friendships, love, and family of the girls working at the Rabbit House cafe. In episode 11, they take part in a winter festival, perform music, and listen to Chino talk about Tippy, a talking rabbit who is said to be her grandfather’s soul. This show has a Christmas vibe as it brings warmth, happiness, and hope to the viewers. It also reminds us of the importance of family and friends during the holiday season.

25. Ichigo Mashimaro (Series)

In episode 12 of Ichigo Mashimaro, the girls celebrate Christmas and try to make Matsuri believe in Santa Claus. They participate in a winter festival where they enjoy food, games, and other activities. They also meet new characters, such as Rize’s childhood friend, the owner of a pastry shop, and a mysterious girl related to Chino.  It’s a great anime to watch during Christmas time.

26. Powerpuff Girls Z (Series)

I have a recommendation for fans of Craig McCracken’s Powerpuff Girls. It’s a show called Demashita! Pawapafu Gāruzu Zetto, which means “They’re Here! Powerpuff Girls Z”. It was made by Cartoon Network Japan and Aniplex. The show has 52 episodes. One of the episodes is called “All Ken Wants for Christmas”. It aired on TV Tokyo on December 23, 2006. This episode is a fun holiday story that kids and Powerpuff Girls fans will enjoy.

27. Dr. Stone (Series)

Dr. Stone is a really popular anime that started in July 2019. In one episode, while the village is getting ready for winter, Senku, Chrome, and Kaseki are trying to make lightbulbs that can last a long time. It takes them a bunch of tries, but they finally succeed. Senku then goes off on his own to prepare a surprise. Even though this episode isn’t all about Christmas, it’s sweet to see that despite everything Senku has been through, he’s determined to celebrate Christmas and show his appreciation to the people who welcomed him into their village.

28. Sword Art Online (Series)

In the 3rd episode, Kirito decides to join a guild. He becomes friends with Sashi, who confides in him about her fear of dying. While the guild members are on the 27th floor, battling monsters, they accidentally set off a trap that leads to their doom. Everyone in the guild, except Kirito, gets killed. He survives because he’s at a much higher level.

After defeating the boss named Nicholas the Renegade, who is related to Christmas, Kirito returns to his room at the tavern. There, he discovers a message from Sashi encouraging him to stay strong and keep on living, with the hope of one day finding freedom again.

Final Words From Loveable 

There are plenty of great Christmas-themed anime shows to enjoy in the upcoming December. Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming holiday stories or just looking for some festive fun, these 28 options have something for you. Now get your hot cocoa ready and snuggle up for a cozy anime marathon this holiday season!