This is the season ofcelebration and festivities. Although, admittedly, not everyone enjoys loud parties and elaborate dinners. Some people just appreciate the holidays as time away from their mundane routines; a chance to unwind and relax without having to worry about being productive.
It’s a great time to order some special holiday food and binge-watch something in the comfort of one’s blanket. And what better to binge-watch than some of the bestanimeof today? Here are some recommendations that will make for a great holiday watch.
For fans of melodrama and emotional anime,Clannad: After Storyfeatures the life of Tomoya Okazaki. It follows him as he grows into adulthood, dealing with life’s challenges, love, and family. This gripping tale explores themes of family, sacrifice, and the passage of time.
While this is a continuation ofClannad, it can be watched as a stand-alone, since the two belong to completely different leagues. While the former is a good, slice-of-life anime;After Storyis a moving tale encompassing themes that feel very close to reality.
This anime will have viewers laughing and crying as they watch a man go through walks of life. The story of Tomoya Okazaki isn’t some spun-out tale that has the usual climax and anti-climax bound by a happy ending, it’s a story that aims to feel relatable and real. That’s exactly what this anime excels at with its close-to-real characters, real-life problems such as the loss of a loved one, and celebration of moments such as becoming a father.
Clannad: After Storyhas the ability to move the audience in a unique way as it portrays lifeafterthe happily ever after. It will make them want to make better decisions and want certain things in their lives. The amazing aesthetic throughout the series, paired with the complementing soundtrack, makes this the perfect Christmas watch!
Stream on Apple TV
9Toradora!
This romantic comedy revolves around the unlikely duo of Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, two high school students. The two cross paths and then team up to help each other pursue their crushes.
Why Toradora! Makes the List
While the trope is a bit of a cliché,Toradora!doesn’t employ many clichés throughout its story. The story may seem predictable, but it’s not. Its plot builds up just right to make room for each twist to come through. It has this way of getting the audience invested in the story emotionally, watching to find out what happens next.
Each character in the anime is well-crafted and unique, which makes them very likable. Everyone has a motive or purpose for doing what they do or acting how they do. There are snippets of vulnerabilities to the most headstrong characters, which also makes them relatable. Even the supporting characters get the spotlight from time to time, making them an integral part of the plot.
It might be unfair to credit one aspect of the anime for its magnificence. In reality, it’s a combination of clean and vibrant animation, a beautiful soundtrack, and well-written characters and stories that make Toradora stand out in the rom-com genre.
Stream on Netflix
8Winter Sonata
Winter Sonatais based on a popular Korean drama of the same name. It tells a poignant love story between two childhood friends, Yoon-jin and Joon-sang who reunite after years apart. Their tale takes viewers through the themes of love, memory, and destiny as the two navigate their reunion and their feelings around it.
Why Winter Sonata Is the Perfect Christmas Watch
The story ofWinter Sonatais its selling point. This explains why the already-hit K-drama was adapted to the anime format and still did well with the audience. The story is innovative and focuses on the romance aspect without the constant need to balance it out. There is a love triangle at play, and themes of unconditional love are explored as the characters figure out their feelings. All of it is conveyed in such a believable and relatable manner, that it doesn’t feel sickly sweet at any point.
The animation is simple with captivating visuals, especially in terms of bringing out the characters’ emotions and charms. It also has a nice romance-themed soundtrack, featuring moving piano pieces and songs that help build the atmosphere and add to the scenic brilliance.
7Your Lie in April
This anime follows the life of a piano prodigy, Kousei Arima, who is grappling with his mother’s death. His life takes a turn when he meets a free-spirited violinist named Kaori Miyazono. As Kaori tries to color in Kousei’s life and bring him back to the spotlight, the two form an unbreakable duo, both on stage and off it. Except, their story is built on a lie that leads to a series of lies, complicating things as the two navigate their personal and worldly challenges.
Why Your Lie In April Is a Must-Watch
Your Lie In Aprilmayappear as another romantic comedy, but it is anything but that. While it is a story of love, it delves into some very heavy themes such as child abuse, PTSD, and disabilities. What’s worth appreciating is how the anime does not try to paint these themes in a sensationalizing manner but portrays them for what they are: unfair and awful. That being said, tragedy is not central to the story. It is more about learning to move on and accepting help when you need it. It’s about the need to keep going, no matter how difficult it may seem.
It also helps that this anime is both visually and aurally commendable. Each scene is delivered with a combination of audio-visual excellence that makes it more impactful and memorable, especially in the scenes of the characters' stage performances.
Related:The Boy and the Heron Might Be Studio Ghibli’s Darkest Film Yet
6Wolf Children
Wolf Childrentells the story of a college student, Hana, who unknowingly falls in love with a man who turns out to be a werewolf. They start a family and have two children, Ame and Yuki, both of whom have the ability to turn into werewolves. Following the tragic death of her partner, Hana is left as a single mother to the unusual kids, whom she now has to raise while protecting their identities.
Why Wolf Children Is a Great Movie
Maternal love goes beyond anything in the world, even if it’s having half-human, half-wolf children. This is exactly whatWolf Childrenis about; the strength and greatness of a mother’s love. A young college-going Hana grows up to be a strong, resilient mother who gives up everything, including her urban life, just so her children can grow in an environment that feels more welcoming. Even though it has fantasy woven into it, the plot feels very relatable to the viewers, since it’s pushed forward with human emotions that feel all too relatable.
While maternal love is the central theme throughout the anime,Wolf Childrenalso explores themes of self-discovery and identity through Ame and Yuki. As the contrasting due grow up, exploring their lupine and humane sides, the audience gets to see their character development in a very believable manner.
What’s good is that this is an anime film, great for those who seek a short-format quick watch rather than season-long shows.It has all the elements of a great anime: gorgeously detailed art, immersive sound, and a gripping plot-wrapped up in a two-hour runtime.
5Sweetness and Lightning
This heartwarming anime revolves around Kouhei Inuzuka, who is a teacher and single father to his daughter, Tsumugi. However, Kouhei’s inability to cook lands him in the restaurant of one of his students, Kotori Iida. The series follows them around as they learn to cook, uncovering the meaning ofsome of life’s simple pleasures.
Why Sweetness and Lightning Is Worth Watching This Christmas
For someone who needs a nice, slice-of-life anime that doesn’t get too dark or tragic,Sweetness and Lightningis the perfect watch. If the premise sounds too simplistic, it’s because it is. It is the story of a single father and his struggles while caring for an adorable little daughter. It’s about his culinary misadventures and his worrying about how to get Tsumugi to eat more greens.
It helps that both the father and the daughter are very adorable, likable characters, which makes watching them a treat. While it is slow-paced at times, it complements the genre. Similar to the way the animation and soundtrack complement the story. The show just feels closer to life, since everything just somehow comes together in how it should. No exaggerated melodrama or magic needed.
Stream on Prime Video
4Usagi Drop
Staying on the page of family dramas,Usagi Dropfollows a 30-year-old man, Daikichi Kawachi. Who ends up adopting a six-year-old girl, Rin, under unforeseen circumstances. The series explores the challenges and joys of parenthood, focusing on the unique bond between the two. It’s a heartwarming tale of family and personal growth.
Why Usagi Drop Is Included
Usagi Drop is a simple, straightforward, and charming tale about what it means to be a parent, told from the perspective of a 30-year-old single man with no prior experience of taking care of kids. The story and characters are presented in an ideal form, with fluid and detailed animation, which adds to the enjoyment of the show.
While the show will be more relatable for anyone who has gone through the struggles of raising a child, it is simple enough for anyone to follow and enjoy. The audience will be emotionally invested in Rin, who is outcast and abandoned by all of her family, and Daikichi, who is standing up for Rin in the face of his relatives' coldness towards the child through no fault of her own. It’s touching to watch the two adjust to their awkward family dynamic, something viewers might closely relate to in the face of holiday festivities.
3Hachimitsu to Clover
Yuuta Takemoto is a sophomore at an arts college who lives with his seniors; the eccentric Shinobu Moritathe and the sensible Takumi Mayama. Takemoto meets Hagumi Hanamoto one day and falls in love with her. Hagumi enrolls in their art college and soon befriends the popular Ayumi Yamada. This anime follows the lives of the five art students as they navigate friendship, love, and the challenges of adulthood.
Why Hachimitsu to Clover Makes the List
Hachimitsuto Cloveris one of those shows that will hit close to home. It will make viewers laugh and cry along with its characters while delivering important lessons about life and its intricacies, such as career struggles and unrequited love. Even the animation, a washed-up watercolor palette, is soft-spirited to beautifully complement the themes in the show.
The most noteworthy feature of this show has to be the characters. Each of the five main characters is not only uniquely drawn, but also portrayed in the most phenomenal manner that carries the entire show. From Hagumi’s dilemma with her conscience to Takemoto’s indecisiveness, everything is exceptionally well delivered. It feels very relatable and strangely nostalgic, especially for college graduates.
2Whisper of the Heart
This Studio Ghibli filmtells the story of a young girl, Shizuku Tsukishima, who ends up on a quest to find a boy named Seiji Amasawa, who often checks out the same library books as her. During her journey, she finds a strange cat on the train that she follows until she ends up at an antique shop, where she finally meets Seiji. The duo become friends and embark on a journey to achieve their dreams, guided by the whispers from their hearts.
Why Whisper of the Heart Is a Perfect Watch This Holiday Season
As withevery Miyazaki film, the details inWhisper of the Heartare subtle yet exceptionally well-placed, making the film feel more real and less animated. There is no rush to create dangerous scenarios or elaborate appearances of supernatural elements in this anime. Instead, it focuses on the lives and feelings of its characters to push the plot forward, which is where its strength lies.
Whisper of the Heartdoes an excellent job of giving the viewers a scene-by-scene telling of its characters' psychology. There are no exaggerations or dramatics involved. Just plain human emotions that are portrayed in the most believable human ways. For people who seek a slow, character-driven anime to relax-watch, this show falls right in place.
Related:The 10 Best Supporting Characters in Studio Ghibli Anime Movies
1Tokyo Godfathers
Directed by Satoshi Kon, this film follows three homeless individuals; Hana, Gin, and Miyuki. They are rummaging for presents in the trash on Christmas Eve when they find an abandoned baby. Feeling sorry for the child, the three embark on a journey to find the child’s parents. However, they soon get caught up in a series of strange events, throwing their plans into jeopardy.
Why Tokyo Godfathers Is a Must-Watch
Tokyo Godfathersis a heartwarming and thought-provoking story about redemption and the meaning of family. It has all the elements from a good close-to-reality movie-comedic moments, silly coincidences, and unforeseen challenges that eventually lead to a happy ending.
The characters are well-developed without being too overwhelming. For instance, there is enough ambiguity around the three godfathers to keep the viewer curious to find out why they ended up being homeless. It is revealed at a carefully crafted pace, in bits and pieces, so it’s more memorable for the viewer.
Tokyo Godfather’s animation is breathtaking, stunning, and amazingly detailed. Everything from the scenic city landscapes during the Christmas season to the expressions of the characters is portrayed hyper-realistically. There are real buildings, such as the Tokyo Towers, artfully woven into the backgrounds to give the audience the ultimate viewing experience.
