When it comes to the holidays, it can be hard to choose the right media to get you in the merriest of spirits. From hundreds of TV specials to movies and more, the list is endless. But if you're one of those that like a bit of anime in your watching line up, then that's where lists like this have got you covered.
Here, we'll examine some awesome feature-length anime TV movies and specials that will get you in the right mood for Christmas trees, eggnog, and some festive ramen. We'll cover them all from the nostalgic to the more recent classics, and perhaps discover some selections you never thought would fit the bill. So grab your cup of hot cocoa, and let's look at 10 Best Anime Movies to Get You in the Holiday Spirit!
10 Little Women (1980)
When it comes to classics that always deliver in the yuletide feels, Little Women is among the best of the best of them. Based on the famous novel by Mary Louise Alcott, this TV Movie adaptation takes a look at the early days of the March sisters - featuring many of the memorable wintry scenes from the novel that are beloved by generations.
And though this is the least well-known of the anime versions of this tale, it's a nice bit of retro shoujo nostalgia, with lots of sparkly eyed-drama, that'll get you in the holiday spirit.
9 Millennium Actress
Though not as holiday-appropriate as another selection on this list from the same director, Satoshi Kon's Millennium Actress is a work of art. Sure, maybe it doesn't have the merriest of plots, and perhaps there isn't anything specifically Christmas related within - but this makes the list for the most crucial sequence taking place in the snow.
Such a narrative decision brilliantly illustrates the tragedy within such a beautiful season. And when you pair it with the artistry of the animators from Madhouse, you have quite the anime gem on your hands.
8 Wolf Children
Considered one of the great classics of modern anime, Mamoru Hosoda's Wolf Children features a year-round aesthetic that includes a few perfectly wintry sequences and lots of feels.
With stunning animation by Madhouse, a thrilling script by Hosoda and Satoko Okudera, and a beautiful score by Masakatsu Takagi, this story about a woman and her journey to raise her two half-wolf kiddos will warm your heart in the mushiest of ways. But beware, for this selection requires the most enormous box of tissues you can find - in a holiday-themed box, of course.
7 5 Centimeters Per Second
Another well-regarded gem in recent anime history, Makoto Shinkai's 5 Centimeters Per Second might not be as famous as Your Name, but it certainly packs this director's signature use of emotional storytelling.
This multi-year, three-part structure tale follows a protagonist named Takaki Tōno and his ever-evolving romantic relationship with a girl named Akari Shinohara. But why does this film make this list? Not only does it have drop-dead gorgeous animation, but it also shows the beauty of Japan in its snowiest and most romantic of states, through the eyes of a visual genius.
6 Tenchi Muyo The Movie 2: Daughter of Darkness
Though not explicitly set during Christmas, much of this Tenchi Muyo movie has a definite holiday aesthetic. From a similar Jurai holiday that has trees decorated in beautiful lights, one of the main antagonists using holiday looking toys as a weapon, to the anti-hero dressed in a girly Santa-themed outfit, the references to the merriest time of year are endless.
Yet the irony with this movie is that it takes place during the summer, making it one of the few Christmas in July anime offerings. Regardless, it'll shift you into that holiday mood - no matter what time of year.
5 The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
When it comes to popular anime, none of them get quite as odd as the Haruhi Suzumiya franchise. Known for its quirky characters, memorable antics, and musical sequences, the film continuation of the show sets a much more somber tone.
In the film, Kyon experiences an It's a Wonderful Life kind of scenario - in which Haruhi disappears, other characters don't remember him, and all that Kyon has ever known is entirely out of whack. Sound like a recipe for holiday anime fun times? For hardcore fans of the series, and those willing to take the plunge, it certainly is.
4 Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas
When it comes to ridiculous TV movies, Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas might take the top prize for checking off all the necessary boxes. From a high concept sci-fi version of Secret Santa to a demonic Kaiju-style tree attack, this Netflix original is the definition of bold.
Sure, some may call out this pick for not being "authentic" compared to the other selections on this list - but with animation by Production I.G. and Studio Deen, along with having many of its "roots" in anime history, anything Neo Yokio counts. And if you can't get behind a franchise that celebrates the perfection of a Toblerone, you're missing out.
3 Sailor Moon S: The Movie
When it comes to anime movies with Christmas themes, none of them get to the level of fantastical ridiculousness quite like Sailor Moon S: The Movie. Not only is there the signature Sailor Senshi shenanigans afoot, but there's also high stakes romantic drama going on with Luna, and an ice age level threat that could destroy the Earth.
Pair that together with one of the best Tuxedo Mask appearances in the franchise's history (hint - it's Santa themed), and you have a recipe for Moon Power perfection.
2 Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
Though typically presented in an OVA format, the movie-edit version of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz might not be the most filled with holiday cheer, but it is hard to deny the festive aesthetic going on within it.
Visuals of glamorous company parties are juxtaposed against violent warfare, as snow dramatically falls to the ground. Couple that with familiar images of plush toys, Christmas lights, and other bits of twinkling decor, and you have a piece of animation that balances the romantic elements of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise with its harsher realities.
1 Tokyo Godfathers
There is nothing quite like Satoshi Kon's Tokyo Godfathers, and that's a cinematic fact. Though such a story probably could have been told in live-action, it is Kon's unique view of the world that makes it perfect for animation.
The movie tells the story of three homeless individuals who find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve, and the hijinks they get into to get the baby back to the kid's parents. And if you're the sort of person who loves watching a Christmas movie that isn't as much about the holiday outright, this is for you.