Best Christmas Special Anime Episodes

Key Takeaways

• Anime Christmas specials exist, with diverse themes like partying, camping, and ghost hunting.
• Series like Denki Gai No Honya-San and Tokyo Godfathers offer unique and cozy holiday stories.
• From romantic comedies like Toradora to fantasy adventures like Sword Art Online, there’s an anime special for every fan.

Animated Christmas specials have become an annual tradition for many, from old favorites like Charlie Brown to newer classics like Prep And Landing. With so many out there and such a wide variety of holiday specials to choose from, it’s only natural to wonder… are there any anime Christmas specials out there?

Turns out, not only are there Christmas specials in the world of anime, but there are a ton of them. For the anime fan looking for Christmas specials with an anime coat of paint, these are the best ones out there.

11

Denki Gai No Honya-San: Episode 3

Party Hard

When Christmas comes to Akihabara and the Umanohone doujin manga and game shop located therein, its quirky band of staff must balance their attempts to sell a dating sim sequel in the freezing December conditions with their attempts to throw a one-of-a-kind Christmas party.

A self-aware coming-of-age comedy about working in the heart of the electric town of Akiba, Denki Gai No Honya-San’s delightful Christmas special is just the thing to fill slice of life comedy fans’ hearts with Christmas cheer.

10

Doraemon 2005: Episode 504

Christmas In The House Of Candies

While Doraemon has had a variety of Christmas specials over the years, and realistically, you could have a great time with any one of them, the 2005 series’ special from Season 13 is the most easily accessible and the most digestible for those who aren’t already series veterans.

When the robot cat from the future gifts Nobita and co. a cookie house maker, the group shrinks down to micro-size to put together the perfect ginger bread-style cookie house, but in typical Doraemon fashion, it isn’t long before things go haywire.

9

Sword Art Online: Episode 3

We Must Save My Family

Whether you’re a fan of the original Sword Art Online or you prefer SWE’s abridgment, the Sword Art Online holiday special is one to remember, complete with reindeer, snow, and a massive red-coated super-boss in possession of an extraordinarily rare item.

Sword Art Online is often seen as the beginning of the great isekai boom, so if you’re well acquainted with Truck-kun’s antics and full dive VR shenanigans, you’re practically guaranteed to enjoy this yule tide carol set in Castle Aincrad.

8

Lucky Star: Episode 11

A Cozy Christmas Treat

Lucky Star is one of Kyoto Animation’s most beloved productions, and in classic KyoAni fashion, it is a laid back slice-of-life series where the focus is on character interaction and slow character growth rather than high-octane action or fast-paced storytelling.

Around halfway through the series, the Christmas season rears its holly jolly head, and through a series of cozy conversations, we learn all sorts of things about how each member of the cast feels about the holiday, and how they feel about the idea of Santa Claus.

7

Ghost Hunt: Episodes 12-13

Silent Night, Haunting Night

Ghost Hunt is a mid-2000s anime about a team of paranormal investigators who roam Japan performing exorcisms, and while that makes it perfect for Halloween, the series also has a two-episode-long Christmas special entitled ‘Silent Christmas’ for those who prefer scary ghost stories to tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.

When an investigation into possessions at a local church results in one of SPR’s members being taken over by the ghost of a young boy, the team must uncover the ghost’s haunting past to save their friend.

6

Yuru Camp: Episode 11

What’s Better Than A Christmas Camping Trip?

Yuru Camp just might be the coziest little anime ever made, and its eleventh episode, which sees the unlikely group of friends come together for a Christmas celebration unlike any other, just may be the coziest Christmas special ever made, too.

With A5 ranked beef Sukiyaki on the menu for the camp, and Santa cosplay in tow, the girls are all set to enjoy a very merry Christmas in the great outdoors… just as long as they can all make it to the right campsite in time, that is.

5

The Disappearance Of Nagato Yuki-Chan: Episode 1

A Holly Jolly Start To Heartfelt Story

The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan might not have been what fans of the Haruhi Suzumiya series were expecting, but the series’ lofi romantic comedy elements and laid back atmosphere have come to win over many of its detractors, and Nagato has garnered a cult following as a result.

The Christmas cheer begins right from the get-go here, with Nagato and friends attempting to secure a turkey for their club’s Christmas party, going to extreme lengths to procure the precious bird.

4

Junkers, Come Here

The Forgotten Classic

While the entire movie might not take place at Christmastime, Junkers Come Here’s climax and ending certainly do, which means that the film builds toward the Christmas season right from the start, and the resulting film ends up coming across as a Christmas special of sorts.

Junkers Come Here follows the story of a little girl and her talking dog, Junkers, who must keep his ability to speak a secret from the world at large. As the seasons come and go, we learn more about the life they lead, and the strained relationship of the girl’s parents.

3

Tokyo Marble Chocolate

A Delightful Little Christmas Short

Christmas Eve is often said to be Japan’s second Valentines’ Day, and is the biggest date night of the year for many couples in the land of the rising sun. Tokyo Marble Chocolate uses the time of year as the premise for a charming story about finding a warm love in the cold weather of the season…with the help of a bizarre donkey creature.

Consisting of only two 26 minute OVAs, Tokyo Marble Chocolate may be short, but it uses its short runtime to tell a story that is not easily forgotten.

2

Toradora: Episode 19

A Holy Night, Indeed

Toradora is one of the medium’s greatest hits, and a surefire delight for fans of romantic comedies, complete with some of the most beloved characters in anime history, and incredible writing.

The emotional crux of the story comes with the falling snow and festive decorations, as the cast prepares to throw a Christmas party complete with a special musical number. All the while, however, their teacher plans to spend her Christmas Eve on the hunt for prime real-estate.

1

Tokyo Godfathers

Satoshi Kon’s Christmas Classic

Easily the greatest anime Christmas special of all time, Tokyo Godfathers comes to us from Satoshi Kon, the director of Perfect Blue, Paranoia Agent, and Millennium Actress. Tokyo Godfather is just as good a film as any of these, all set to a heartfelt Christmastime backdrop.

When three homeless outcasts find an abandoned baby in the streets of Tokyo on Christmas Eve, they set off to return the baby to her rightful home, on a journey marked by fantastical coincidences and Christmas miracles.